How to Write an Explanatory Essay

Whether you're in high school or college, you've probably been assigned an explanatory essay at some point. At first glance, it might seem pretty straightforward, but this type of writing has its quirks that can catch even the best writers off guard. These nuances often lead to lower grades and a lot of frustration. But don't worry! We're here to help you navigate the process and write an awesome explanatory essay.

What is an Explanatory Essay

The aim of an explanatory essay is to break down complex ideas into easy-to-understand pieces. Think of it as explaining how something works to a friend who's never heard of it before. Whether it's the inner workings of a smartphone or the process of photosynthesis, your job is to make the topic clear and straightforward.

Explanatory essays stand out because they present information objectively, without arguing for a specific viewpoint. Your goal is to give readers a thorough understanding of the subject using evidence and logical reasoning. So, leave out personal opinions and biased statements. Instead, focus on clear explanations and avoid unnecessary complexities that might confuse your audience. By the end of your essay, your readers should be able to explain the topic to someone else with confidence.

Creating an Explanatory Essay Outline

A good essay starts with a solid outline. If we look at this specific type of writing, typically, it includes an explanatory essay introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Introduction: Begin with some background information on your topic to set the stage. Hook your readers with a surprising fact or a thought-provoking question. Finish with a clear thesis statement outlining what you’ll explain.

Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph should focus on a single point supporting your thesis. Start with a topic sentence, follow up with evidence or examples, and explain how this evidence relates to your main point. End with a concluding statement that ties it all together.

Conclusion: Summarize the main points you've covered and restate your thesis in a new way. Offer a final thought or recommendation to leave your readers with something to ponder.

Here’s a quick example of an outline:

How to Write an Explanatory Essay Step-by-Step

You may think that organizing the material according to the outline may be hard. However, writing an explanatory essay can be broken down into just a few manageable steps:

Choose a Topic
Pick something you're interested in or passionate about. This will make the writing process more enjoyable and help you stay engaged. For instance, if you're into tech, you might explain how social media algorithms work.

Do Though Research
Gather all the necessary information from reliable sources like academic journals, books, and reputable websites. For example, if you decide to stick to the social media topic, you can look up articles and marketing researches to help you build the case on this matter.

Create an Outline
Use the outline format mentioned above to organize your thoughts and make sure your essay flows logically.

Write a Compelling Introduction
Grab your reader's attention with a hook, provide some background information, and end with a clear thesis statement. You can write something along the lines: "Ever wondered how your Instagram feed always seems to know what you like? It’s all thanks to complex algorithms."

Develop the Body Paragraphs
Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence, followed by evidence or examples, and an explanation of how this supports your thesis. It’s important to use proper transition words so that your thoughts flow smoothly from one another.

Write the Conclusion
Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a new way. Offer a final thought or call to action. You could, for instance, write: "As we understand more how social media algorithms work, we can be more mindful of the content we consume and share."

Revise and Edit
The last point of the writing process is proofreading. Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and any grammatical errors. Make sure each part of your essay serves its purpose and that your arguments are logical from start to finish.

What to Avoid in Your Explanatory Essay

When writing an explanatory essay, there are a few common pitfalls to avoid:

• Lack of a Clear Thesis
  A weak or unclear thesis can leave readers unsure about your main point. Make sure your thesis is precise and guides your essay.
• Insufficient Research and Evidence
  Not backing up your explanations with solid evidence makes your essay less convincing. Use credible sources to support your points.
• Overly Broad Topic
  A broad topic can make it difficult to cover all aspects in detail. Narrow down your topic for a more focused discussion.
• Using Jargon or Complex Language
  Don’t try to look too smart. Avoid technical terms and complex language that might alienate readers. Aim for clarity and simplicity.
• Inconsistent Focus
  Stay on topic and avoid including irrelevant information. As you are explaining a specific process or matter, you should present only those details that are relevant to the case.
• Ignoring Target Audience
  Try to tailor your writing to suit your audience’s knowledge level and interests. After all, those are the people who will judge whether your writing is engaging enough or not.
• Neglecting Proper Citations
  Lastly, always cite your sources to avoid plagiarism and maintain credibility. You don’t want to get in trouble with the school board, do you?

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can craft a clear, informative, and effective explanatory essay.

An Example of the Explanatory Essay Format

Let’s see how an explanatory essay might look, using the topic of how social media algorithms work.

Introduction. Imagine scrolling through Instagram and wondering why your feed is filled with cat videos. This essay will demystify how social media algorithms determine what content you see, focusing on user behavior, engagement metrics, and content relevance.

Body. The first key element is user behavior. Social media platforms track your interactions, like posts you like and accounts you follow, to personalize your feed. For example, if you frequently like cat videos, the algorithm will show you more of them.

Next is engagement metrics. Posts with high engagement rates, such as likes, comments, and shares, are more likely to appear in your feed. This is because algorithms prioritize content that is popular among users.

Lastly, content relevance plays a great role. Algorithms analyze the type of content you interact with and show you similar posts. For instance, if you watch a lot of DIY videos, you'll see more DIY content on your feed.

Conclusion. User behavior, engagement metrics, and content relevance are all fundamental to how social media algorithms work. Understanding these elements helps us navigate social media more mindfully. So next time you see a barrage of cat videos, you'll know exactly why.

Possible Topics to Discuss in Your Next Explanatory Essay

Choosing a topic can be challenging, yet try not to settle for something mundane or widely known. It’s important to pick something engaging and researchable. Here are some ideas:

These topics are relevant and engaging and have plenty of material for a thorough and interesting explanatory essay.

FAQ

How do you write an explanatory essay? 

Start with a clear thesis statement outlining what you’ll explain. Break down the topic into easily digestible parts, giving examples and evidence for each point. Keep your language simple and your structure organized. Finish with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves your readers with a clear understanding of the topic.

What is an exploratory essay? 

An exploratory essay should look into a topic from various angles, considering different perspectives and possibilities. So the main point of this type of writing is not to find an answer but to present the existing knowledge around the subject matter.

What is the difference between expository and explanatory essays? 

Expository and explanatory essays are similar but not identical. An expository essay aims to inform or explain a topic clearly and straightforwardly, often breaking down complex ideas into simpler parts. An explanatory essay focuses on explaining the how and why of a particular subject, looking into causes, effects, and different viewpoints.

Can you say "I" in an explanatory essay? 

Generally, it’s best to avoid using "I" in an explanatory essay to maintain objectivity. However, some instructors might allow personal reflection, so always check your guidelines.

How do you start an exploratory essay? 

Begin with an engaging hook that can make your audience wonder. Perhaps a question, quote, or interesting fact. Introduce the topic and explain why it's worth exploring, then outline the different paths you might take in your discussion.