explanatory essay topics

How to Write an Explanatory Essay: Comprehensive Guide with Examples

What Is an Explanatory Essay: Definition

Have you ever been tasked with explaining a complex topic to someone without prior knowledge? It can be challenging to break down complex ideas into simple terms that are easy to understand. That's where explanatory writing comes in! An explanatory essay, also known as an expository essay, is a type of academic writing that aims to explain a particular topic or concept clearly and concisely. These essays are often used in academic settings but can also be found in newspapers, magazines, and online publications.

For example, if you were asked to explain how a car engine works, you would need to provide a step-by-step explanation of the different parts of the engine and how they work together to make the car move. Or, if you were asked to explain the process of photosynthesis, you would need to explain how plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create energy.

When wondering - 'what is an explanatory essay?', remember that the goal of an explanatory paper is to provide the reader with a better understanding of the topic at hand. Unlike an opinion essay , this type of paper does not argue for or against a particular viewpoint but rather presents information neutrally and objectively. By the end of the essay, the reader should clearly understand the topic and be able to explain it to others in their own words.

Also, there is no set number of paragraphs in an explanatory essay, as it can vary depending on the length and complexity of the topic. However, when wondering - 'how many paragraphs in an explanatory essay?', know that a typical example of explanatory writing will have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

However, some essays may have more or fewer body paragraphs, depending on the topic and the writer's preference. Ultimately, an explanatory essay format aims to provide a clear and thorough explanation of the topic, using as many paragraphs as necessary.

20 Interesting Explanatory Essay Topics

Now that we have defined what is explanatory essay, the next step is choosing a good explanatory topic. A well-chosen topic is interesting and relevant to your audience while also being something you are knowledgeable about and can provide valuable insights on. By selecting a topic that is too broad or too narrow, you run the risk of either overwhelming your audience with too much information or failing to provide enough substance to fully explain the topic. Additionally, choosing a topic that is too controversial or biased can lead to difficulty in presenting information objectively and neutrally. By choosing a good explanatory topic, you can ensure that your essay is well-informed, engaging, and effective in communicating your ideas to your audience.

Here are 20 creative explanatory essay topics by our admission essay service to consider:

How does the human brain process emotions?
The benefits and drawbacks of remote work.
The science behind climate change and its effects.
The history and evolution of hip-hop music.
The impact of social media on mental health.
The benefits of learning a second language.
The process of how a computer operates.
The causes and effects of bullying in schools.
The impact of technology on modern education.
The reasons for the decline of bee populations and their importance to the ecosystem.
The effects of caffeine on the human body.
The process of how vaccines work to prevent disease.
The impact of video games on youth behavior and development.
The reasons for the gender pay gap and how to close it.
The benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy sources.
The history and cultural significance of tattoos.
The causes and effects of income inequality in society.
The process of how a book is published.
The impact of social media on political discourse.
The benefits and drawbacks of the gig economy.

How to Start an Explanatory Essay: Important Steps

Starting an explanatory essay can be challenging, especially if you are unsure where to begin. However, by following a few simple steps, you can effectively kick-start your writing process and produce a clear and concise essay. Here are some tips and examples from our term paper writing services on how to start an explanatory essay:

Choose an engaging topic : Your topic should be interesting, relevant, and meaningful to your audience. For example, if you're writing about climate change, you might focus on a specific aspect of the issue, such as the effects of rising sea levels on coastal communities.
Conduct research : Gather as much information as possible on your topic. This may involve reading scholarly articles, conducting interviews, or analyzing data. For example, if you're writing about the benefits of mindfulness meditation, you might research the psychological and physical benefits of the practice.
Develop an outline : Creating an outline will help you logically organize your explanatory essay structure. For example, you might organize your essay on the benefits of mindfulness meditation by discussing its effects on mental health, physical health, and productivity.
Provide clear explanations: When writing an explanatory article, it's important to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely. Use simple language and avoid technical jargon. For example, if you're explaining the process of photosynthesis, you might use diagrams and visual aids to help illustrate your points.
Use evidence to support your claims : Use evidence from reputable sources to support your claims and arguments. This will help to build credibility and persuade your readers. For example, if you're writing about the benefits of exercise, you might cite studies that demonstrate its positive effects on mental health and cognitive function.

By following these tips and examples, you can effectively start your expository essays and produce a well-structured, informative, and engaging piece of writing.

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Explanatory Essay Outline

As mentioned above, it's important to create an explanatory essay outline to effectively organize your ideas and ensure that your essay is well-structured and easy to follow. An outline helps you organize your thoughts and ideas logically and systematically, ensuring that you cover all the key points related to your topic. It also helps you identify gaps in your research or argument and allows you to easily revise and edit your essay. In this way, an outline can greatly improve the overall quality and effectiveness of your explanatory essay.

Explanatory Essay Introduction

Here are some tips from our ' do my homework ' service to create a good explanatory essay introduction that effectively engages your readers and sets the stage for the entire essay:

Start with a hook: Begin your introduction with an attention-grabbing statement or question that draws your readers in. For example, you might start your essay on the benefits of exercise with a statistic on how many Americans suffer from obesity.
Provide context: Give your readers some background information on the topic you'll be discussing. This helps to set the stage and ensures that your readers understand the importance of the topic. For example, you might explain the rise of obesity rates in the United States over the past few decades.
State your thesis: A good explanatory thesis example should be clear, concise, and focused. It should state the main argument or point of your essay. For example, you might state, ' Regular exercise is crucial to maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.'
Preview your main points: Give your readers an idea of what to expect in the body of your essay by previewing your main points. For example, you might explain that you'll be discussing the benefits of exercise for mental health, physical health, and longevity.
Keep it concise: Your introduction should be brief and to the point. Avoid getting bogged down in too much detail or providing too much background information. A good rule of thumb is to keep your introduction to one or two paragraphs.

The Body Paragraphs

By following the following tips, you can create well-organized, evidence-based explanation essay body paragraphs that effectively support your thesis statement.

Use credible sources: When providing evidence to support your arguments, use credible sources such as peer-reviewed academic journals or reputable news outlets. For example, if you're writing about the benefits of a plant-based diet, you might cite a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Organize your paragraphs logically: Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or argument related to your topic. Organize your paragraphs logically so that each one builds on the previous one. For example, if you're writing about the causes of climate change, you might organize your paragraphs to focus on human activity, natural causes, and the effects of climate change.
Use transitional phrases: Use transitional phrases to help your readers follow the flow of your ideas. For example, you might use phrases such as 'in addition,' 'furthermore,' or 'on the other hand' to indicate a shift in your argument.
Provide analysis: Don't just present evidence; provide analysis and interpretation of the evidence. For example, if you're writing about the benefits of early childhood education, you might analyze the long-term effects on academic achievement and future earnings.
Summarize your main points: End each body paragraph with a sentence that summarizes the main point or argument you've made. This helps to reinforce your thesis statement and keep your essay organized. For example, you might end a paragraph on the benefits of exercise by stating, 'Regular exercise has been shown to improve mental and physical health, making it a crucial aspect of a healthy lifestyle.'

Explanatory Essay Conclusion

Here are some unique tips on how to write an explanatory essay conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your readers.

Offer a solution or recommendation: Instead of summarizing your main points, offer suggestions based on the information you've presented. This can help to make your essay more impactful and leave a lasting impression on your readers. For example, if you're writing about the effects of pollution on the environment, you might recommend using more eco-friendly products or investing in renewable energy sources.
Emphasize the importance of your topic: Use your concluding statement to emphasize the importance of your topic and why it's relevant to your readers. This can help to inspire action or change. For example, suppose you're writing about the benefits of volunteering. In that case, you might emphasize how volunteering helps others and has personal benefits such as improved mental health and a sense of purpose.
End with a powerful quote or statement: End your explanatory essay conclusion with a powerful quote or statement that reinforces your main point or leaves a lasting impression on your readers. For example, if you're writing about the importance of education, you might end your essay with a quote from Nelson Mandela, such as, 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.'

Explanatory Essay Example

Here is an example of an explanatory essay:

Explanatory Essay Example:

Importance of Basketball

Final Thoughts

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How to Write a Policy Analysis Paper Step-by-Step

65 Explanatory Essay Topics

Any essay writing meant to define, explain, compare, or present is usually deemed an explanatory essay.

Most commonly an assignment in journalism, history, and civics courses, these essays provide an insight into how something works, how it came to be, its effects on a population/person who created it, or its function and purpose.

There are several different types of explanatory essays that can be written, but the most common include:

biographical
journalistic
instructional/how-to
personal experience
political analysis
product analysis
social guidance

Each type of explanatory essay is employed to answer a specific question about these topics related to a person, event, or situation.

Is Writing an Explanatory Essay Hard?

Writing an explanatory essay may or may not be difficult for students depending on their ability to:

come up with a neutral topic
research and gather relevant information and facts
outline thesis and examples into a logical format
stay unbiased in the writing

If a student has strong research and writing skills, then writing an explanatory essay may be somewhat easier. However, it may be more challenging for students who struggle with these skills to complete this type of assignment.

Regardless of ability level, students need to take the time to plan and organize their thoughts before beginning the writing process. This will help ensure a more successful outcome.

How to Write an Explanatory Essay?

When writing an explanatory essay, many students struggle with the first most crucial step, coming up with a topic. Fortunately, this article concludes with a list of 65 explanatory essay topics perfect for any level of writing ability or grade.

But before students jump to the bottom to check out the list of explanatory essay topics, it’s important to understand how to write an explanatory essay so that they know how to approach their topic and research.

When it comes to explanatory essays, students need to ask three key questions:

What is the best way for me to learn about this?
What information or facts should I gather or find?
How do I structure my explanations and examples into a logical essay format?

Often, asking these questions allows students to more effectively come up with a topic suited to their abilities and interests.

Once a topic is selected, it’s time for students to research their essay. Students should look to history or current news sources for factual information and statistics for topics that deal with people, events, or devices.

To make writing an explanatory essay easier, it’s recommended to choose topics that are non-fiction or can easily be backed up with facts or resources. This is because the overall tone of an explanatory essay should be unbiased and neutral – not a representation of the writer’s personal thoughts or feelings.

Once the research is complete, it’s time for students to start organizing their thoughts and information into a logical format. This is usually done by creating an outline that has three major sections: introduction, body, and conclusion.

The introduction should introduce the topic of the essay with an interesting hook statement such as:

“In the early 1900s, people who wanted to travel from Europe to America would have to board a ship and endure an extremely long journey.”

The hook statement draws readers in by explaining the main topic. After the hook statement, students should include a brief bit of background information on the main topic and define any key terms the reader should know. Continuing the example from above:

“Today, the process of traveling from Europe to America is much easier and can be done in a matter of hours. However, this was not always the case.”

This background information will help set up the rest of the essay by explaining why it is important or relevant to the topic at hand.

After introducing the topic and providing relevant background information, the student should lay out the essay’s thesis statement or overall point. Continuing with the current example, a good thesis statement would be:

“The process of traveling from Europe to America has dramatically changed over the years due to technological advances.”

This thesis statement states the essay’s main point and will be further developed in the body paragraphs.

The body of the explanatory essay is where students will provide detailed explanations and examples to support their thesis statement. Each paragraph should have one main point that is explained and supported with evidence.

The conclusion of the essay should summarize the main points that have been made and leave the reader with a final thought on the topic.

By following this structure while writing an explanatory essay, students can ensure that they can stay on topic and provide the information required in an unbiased, neutral, and informative way.

Any of the following 65 explanatory essay topics will be instrumental in helping students craft a well-written and informative explanatory essay.

Explanatory Essay Topics About History

What was the cause of the American Civil War?
What were the effects of the Black Plague on medieval Europe?
How did Ancient Greece influence western civilization?
What was the fall of the Roman Empire like?
What caused World War II?
How has terrorism changed over the years?
What caused the Cold War?
What is the impact of the Industrial Revolution?
How did the fall of the Berlin wall impact European governments?
Why was the Treaty of Versaille so important for its time?
What was the significance of The Great Depression in America?
How did World War I impact European countries?
What is the role of the United Nations today, and how has it changed over time?
How did human rights policies change after World War II?

Explanatory Essay Topics About Science

What is the difference between a galaxy and a universe?
How does the human brain work?
What is an element?
What are the three states of matter?
What does photosynthesis do for plants?
How do earthquakes happen?
What are black holes?
Why do we have seasons?
What is the difference between a meteor and an asteroid?
How does light travel from one place to another?
Why do humans need sleep?
How do fireworks operate?
What causes tsunamis?
What are four ways to treat illness or disease in the body?

Explanatory Essay Topics About Literature

What is the difference between a protagonist and an antagonist?
What is the difference between a fiction and a non-fiction text?
How does point of view affect a story?
What are the different types of literary devices?
How does symbolism create meaning in a text?
What is the difference between a monologue and a dialogue?
How does the setting impact a story?
What is the difference between plot and theme?
How does genre affect a story?
What is a literary device?
How does character development occur in literature?

Explanatory Essay Topics About Technology

How did social media change the way we communicate?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of new technology?
How has the Internet changed the way we live our lives?
What is the future of technology?
How will artificial intelligence impact the world?
What are the effects of technology on children?
What are five ways that technology can help the environment?
How has social media changed politics?
How has social media impacted local news stations?
Why should students learn how to code?
How did video games change over the years?
What are the effects of technology on our mental health?

Explanatory Essay Topics About Everyday Life

What is the best way to clean a swimming pool?
What are the three best recipes when cooking for one person?
What does it mean to be a successful student?
How can people save money when grocery shopping?
What is the best way to pack for a trip?
How can people stay healthy during the winter?
What is the best way to study for exams?
Why is it important to volunteer in your community?
How can people reduce their stress levels?
What are the best ways to stay organized?
How can people make time for themselves?
What is the best way to develop a budget?
How can people build good credit over time?
What are the three benefits of exercising regularly?

With these topics, any student can research and craft a well-informed explanatory essay that will earn them a good grade.

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468 Explanatory Essay Topics & Good Ideas

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Explanatory essay topics delve into complex subjects, dissecting them to expose underlying components for better understanding. These themes may range from scientific phenomena, social issues, and technological advancements to historical events. The goal is to clarify obscure aspects, spotlighting how individual elements interact within a broader context. These topics demand detailed research, critical thinking, and clear, comprehensive writing, ultimately striving to inform, educate, and enlighten readers, enhancing their understanding and perspective of the chosen subject. The successful explanation of such topics illuminates intricacies otherwise overlooked, extending the conversation and potentially catalyzing new thought and innovation.

Simple Explanatory Essay Topics

Understanding the Food Pyramid
How Does Photosynthesis Work?
Steps in Making a Peanut Butter Sandwich
Process of Creating a DIY Birthday Card
Elements of a Balanced Diet
Understanding How a Rainbow Forms
How Do Bees Produce Honey?
Unfolding the Journey of a Letter in the Mail System
Elements of a Successful Garage Sale
Breaking Down the Process of Baking Bread
How Day and Night Occur?
Decoding the Concept of Time Zones
Understanding the Water Cycle
Basic Steps to Plant a Seed
How Do Animals Prepare for Winter?
Journey of Milk From Farm to Market
How Does a Bicycle Work?
Understanding Cloud Formation
What Happens During an Eclipse?

Interesting Explanatory Essay Topics

Unraveling Secrets of Domestic Cat Life
Origami: Journey to the Heart of an Ancient Art
Dreaming: Unveiling the Hidden Realm
Magic Tricks and Their Hidden Mechanisms
Bee Communication: A Closer Look
Deep Sea Exploration: What We Know and What We Don’t
Astronaut Training: An Insider’s Perspective
Hummingbird Hover: A Phenomenon Explained
From Larva to Butterfly: The Stages Unfolded
Roller Coasters: The Science of Thrills
The Human Immune System: A Comprehensive Breakdown
Black Holes: Comprehension of the Incomprehensible
Making Movies: The Process Behind the Screen
Northern Lights: An Illuminating Exploration
Ant Colonies: Life Beneath the Surface
Our Solar System: Grasping Its Vast Scale
Coral Reefs: A Dive Into Vibrant Ecosystems
Bermuda Triangle: Unlocking the Mystery
Wine Making: Understanding Its Intricacies
Deja Vu: Decoding the Phenomenon

Explanatory Essay Topics for High School

Fundamentals of Human Nutrition
Creating a Personal Budget: An Overview
The Beauty of Geometry in Architecture
Cryptocurrencies: Understanding Digital Money
Exploring the Biomechanics of Sports
Photosynthesis: A Simple Explanation
Climate Change: Causes and Consequences
Origins and Influences of Pop Art
The Fascinating World of Ants
Artificial Intelligence: A Glimpse Into the Future
Ice Age: Understanding Its Significance
Globalization: A Brief Overview
Sustainable Agriculture: Practices and Benefits
Quantum Physics: A Simplified Introduction
Constitutional Law: Breaking Down Its Complexity
Recycling Process: A Step-By-Step Guide
Modern Robotics: An Exciting Journey
Journey Through the Human Digestive System
Myths and Facts About Space Travel

Explanatory Essay Topics for Middle School

Solar System’s Planets: A Journey Through Space
Life Cycle of a Butterfly: Transformation Stages
Food Pyramid: A Balanced Diet Guide
Volcanoes: A Peek Into Their Formation
Origins of Common Superstitions
Rainbows: A Colorful Phenomenon Explained
Creation of Comic Books: The Behind-the-Scenes
Understanding Tides: Moon’s Effect on Earth’s Waters
Video Games Design: The Creative Process
Saving Money: Importance of Financial Literacy
Earthquake Science: Understanding Seismic Activities
Origami: The Art of Paper Folding
Ecosystems: Exploring Forest Habitats
Tsunamis: Oceanic Waves of Destruction
Why Do Leaves Change Color in Autumn?
Photosynthesis: The Miracle of Plant Life
Internet: How Has This Technology Changed Our Lives?
Understanding the Phases of the Moon
Global Warming: A Simplified Overview
History of Animated Movies: From Drawings to Digital

Explanatory Essay Topics for College Students

Cryptography: Securing Information in the Digital Age
Artificial Intelligence: Disruption in Modern Industry
Sustainability: Strategies for Achieving Green Goals
Climate Change: Decoding Science and Misinformation
Blockchain Technology: Beyond Cryptocurrency
Jazz Music: Roots and Influence on Modern Sound
Machine Learning: Applications in Everyday Life
Public Health: Global Pandemic Response
Cybersecurity: Challenges in the Age of the Internet
Green Architecture: Design for a Sustainable Future
Cultural Appropriation: Navigating the Fine Line
Modern Politics: Intersection With Social Media
Nuclear Energy: Balancing Benefits and Risks
Space Exploration: Future Possibilities and Challenges
Bioethics: Delicate Matters in Modern Medicine
Consumer Behavior: Psychological Perspectives
Urban Planning: Creating Livable Cities
Foreign Language Acquisition: Cognitive Benefits
Quantum Computing: Future of Information Processing

Social Issues Explanatory Topics

Understanding Systemic Racism: An Ongoing Challenge
Gender Inequality: Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Poverty: An International Dilemma
Child Labor: Exploitation of Innocence
Religious Intolerance: Barriers to Coexistence
Globalization: Harmonizing Cultures and Economies
Human Trafficking: A Hidden Crisis
Cyberbullying: Virtual Threats, Real Consequences
Refugee Crisis: A Humanitarian Challenge
Euthanasia: Dilemmas at the End of Life
LGBTQ+ Rights: Road to Equality
Mental Health Stigma: Confronting Misunderstandings
Climate Change: A Social and Environmental Issue
Drug Abuse: Understanding Addiction
Education Inequality: Bridging the Gap
Homelessness: Unveiling the Invisible Population
Digital Divide: Access in an Information Age
Racial Profiling: Discrimination in Justice
Internet Privacy: Safeguarding Personal Information
Child Soldiers: Warfare’s Innocent Victims

Explanatory Topics on Technology

Deciphering Quantum Computing: A Revolutionary Leap
Nanotechnology: A New Frontier in Medicine
Artificial Intelligence: Bridging the Gap between Humans and Machines
Interconnected World: Unraveling the Internet of Things
Cybersecurity: Safeguarding Our Digital Universe
Space Technology: Exploring Extraterrestrial Existence
Machine Learning: An Algorithmic Paradigm
Blockchain Technology: A New Age of Decentralization
Biotechnology: Decoding the Blueprint of Life
Smart Cities: Blueprint for a Sustainable Future
3D Printing: Crafting a New Dimension
Virtual Reality: A Paradigm Shift in Interaction
Augmented Reality: Overlaying Digital on Physical
Renewable Energy Technologies: A Sustainable Power Matrix
Bioinformatics: The Fusion of Biology and Information Technology
Big Data: Unveiling Patterns, Trends, and Associations
Neural Networks: Mimicking the Human Brain
Advanced Robotics: Machines With Human-Like Characteristics
Cryptography: The Science of Secure Communication

Education Explanatory Essay Topics

Bilingual Education: Fostering Multicultural Understanding
Challenges in Special Education: Inclusion and Diversity
Holistic Education: A More Comprehensive Approach
Standardized Testing: Merits and Drawbacks
Homeschooling: An Alternative Educational Route
Innovative Methods in Early Childhood Education
E-Learning: The Future of Education
Curriculum Development: Customizing Learning
Education Funding: Exploring Disparities
Education Technology: Tools for Enhanced Learning
Gifted Education: Catering to Exceptional Learners
Character Education: Building Integrity in Students
Classroom Management: A Key to Successful Learning
Teacher Training: Professional Development in Education
Literacy: Foundation of Learning
Student Motivation: Fuel for Educational Success
Parental Involvement: An Integral Part of Education
Inclusive Education: Equal Opportunities for All
School Nutrition: Influencing Student Health and Performance
Foreign Language Education: The Path to Global Citizenship

Health and Medicine Explanatory Topics

Genomic Medicine: Unfolding Genetic Mysteries
Epidemiology: Tracking Disease Patterns
Precision Medicine: Personalizing Treatments
Bioethics: Navigating Moral Dilemmas in Healthcare
Digital Health: Technology Meets Medicine
Pharmacogenomics: Genetic Influence on Drug Response
Healthcare Policy: Influences and Consequences
Mental Health: Unveiling Invisible Illnesses
Environmental Health: Linking Ecology and Well-Being
Medical Errors: Mitigating Unintended Consequences
Telemedicine: Remote Care Possibilities
Immunotherapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Cancer Treatment
Neuroscience: Unraveling the Mind’s Complexities
Aging and Geriatrics: Understanding Longevity
Pediatric Care: Tailoring Medicine for Children
Alternative Medicine: Beyond Conventional Practices
Chronic Illness Management: Improving Quality of Life
Global Health Disparities: Bridging the Gap
Health Informatics: Data-Driven Care

Science and Technology Explanatory Topics

Artificial Intelligence: Future Prospects
Quantum Computing: Beyond Binary Logic
Space Exploration: Mars and Beyond
Nanotechnology: Manipulating Matter on an Atomic Scale
Renewable Energy: Harnessing Sun, Wind, and Sea
Gene Editing: CRISPR and Its Applications
Virtual Reality: Immerging Experiences in Digital Domain
Climate Change Modeling: Predicting Environmental Future
Cybersecurity: Safeguarding Digital Assets
Data Science: Turning Information Into Insights
Biotechnology: Innovations in Medicine and Agriculture
Autonomous Vehicles: Redefining Transportation
3D Printing: From Prototypes to Body Parts
Dark Matter and Dark Energy: Unseen Cosmic Forces
Internet of Things: Interconnecting Everyday Devices
Robotics: Automating the Future
Astrophysics: Probing the Universe’s Secrets
Deep Learning: Advanced Machine Learning Techniques
Sustainable Technology: Balancing Progress and Preservation

History and Culture Explanatory Essay Topics

Decoding Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs
Dance Forms: Expressions of Cultural Identity
Medieval Europe: Feudalism and Power Structures
Graffiti: Artistic Expression or Vandalism?
Silk Road: Trade, Culture, and Conflict
Famous Artists in the Renaissance Period
Architectural Marvels of Ancient Rome
Historical Influence of the Latin Language
Native American Culture: Traditions and Beliefs
French Revolution: Causes and Consequences
African American Music: From Blues to Hip Hop
Cultural Implications of the Japanese Tea Ceremony
History of European Colonization in Africa
Legacy of Greek Philosophy
Civil Rights Movement: Achievements and Aftermath
Harlem Renaissance: Influence on African American Literature
Significance of the Mayan Calendar
Indian Caste System: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
Mysteries of Bermuda Triangle

Politics and Government Explanatory Topics

Foreign Policies: An Examination of US-Sino Relations
Decentralization: Swiss Confederation Case Study
Analyzing Iran’s Theocratic Structure
Brexit: A Retrospective Analysis
Cuba’s Socialism: Key Determinants and Outcomes
Exploring the Phenomenon of Populism in Modern Politics
North Korea’s Political System: A Detailed Examination
Influence of Social Media on Political Campaigns
Analysis of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
India’s Political Landscape: A Study of Coalition Politics
Understanding Neoliberalism Through Chile’s Economic Transformation
Political Power Dynamics in the European Union
Russian Federation: The Politics of Autocracy
US Electoral College: Purpose and Criticisms
Political Stability: A Detailed Study of Singapore’s Government
Political Upheavals: A Case Study of Arab Spring
Understanding the Politics of South Africa Post-Apartheid
Feminism in Politics: A Study of Women’s Political Representation
Analyzing Political Corruption: The Case of Brazil

Explanatory Topics About Environmental Issues

Climate Change: Predictive Modelling of Future Scenarios
Decoding the Mystery of Coral Reef Bleaching
Plastic Pollution: Analyzing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Urban Sprawl: Environmental Consequences and Sustainable Solutions
Endangered Species: A Close Look at Sumatran Tigers
Understanding Ocean Acidification and Its Consequences
Forest Conservation: Successful Strategies in Costa Rica
Melting Polar Ice Caps: Implications for Global Sea Levels
Hydraulic Fracturing: An Environmental Perspective
Deforestation in the Amazon: Causes and Consequences
Sustainable Agriculture: A Detailed Study of Permaculture
Biodiversity Loss: Unraveling the Sixth Mass Extinction
Sustainable Energy: The Prospects of Hydrogen Fuel
Air Quality: The Perils of Indoor Air Pollution
Waste Management: Innovative Solutions in Sweden
Freshwater Scarcity: Exploring Solutions in Arid Regions
Unsustainable Fishing Practices: A Case Study of the North Sea
Understanding the Environmental Impacts of Fast Fashion
E-Waste: Challenges and Opportunities in Recycling
Urban Green Spaces: Benefits and Implementation Strategies

Explanatory Essay Topics on Business and Economics

Blockchain Technology: Potential in Streamlining Supply Chains
Demystifying the Concept of Behavioral Economics
Cryptocurrency Market: Analyzing Trends and Predictions
Circular Economy: Probing the Possibility of Zero Waste
Startups: Unraveling the Success Story of Silicon Valley
Digital Marketing: Power of Social Media Platforms
Understanding Financial Crises: Lessons From the Great Depression
Globalization: Case Study on Multinational Corporations
Trade War: Evaluating the US-China Conflict
Inflation: Detailed Study of Hyperinflation in Zimbabwe
Income Inequality: Analyzing Global Disparity
Economic Growth: The Asian Tigers’ Phenomenon
E-Commerce: The Rise and Dominance of Amazon
Sustainable Businesses: Unpacking the Triple Bottom Line
Microfinance: Prospects in Poverty Alleviation
Understanding the Gig Economy: Uber as a Case Study
Market Monopolies: Implications in the Tech Industry
Corporate Social Responsibility: Unraveling the Case of Patagonia
Economic Impact of Climate Change: A Global Perspective
Green Economy: Probing the Growth of Renewable Energy Sector

Literature and Art Explanatory Topics

Unpacking Magical Realism: “One Hundred Years of Solitude” and Gabriel García Márquez’s Legacy
Gothic Literature: Edgar Allan Poe’s Influence and “The Fall of the House of Usher”
Narrative Structure in “Mrs. Dalloway”: An In-Depth Look at Stream of Consciousness
Surrealism in Art: Salvador Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory”
Postmodernism in Literature: Decoding Don DeLillo’s “White Noise”
Feminist Literature: An Examination of Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar”
Harlem Renaissance: Highlighting Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God”
Transcendentalism in Literature: Understanding Thoreau’s “Walden”
Abstract Expressionism in Art: Analyzing Jackson Pollock’s “No. 5, 1948”
Symbolism in Literature: Deciphering Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Modernism: Probing Into Virginia Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse”
Film Adaptation of Literature: Evaluating Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange”
Beat Generation Literature: Investigating Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road”
Dystopian Literature: Delving Into Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Romanticism in Literature: Unveiling the Themes in Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”
Expressionism in Art: Analyzing Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”
Metafiction: Understanding the Intricacies in Barth’s “Lost in the Funhouse”
Epic Poetry: Exploring the World of Homer’s “Iliad”
Graphic Novels: The Art and Narrative in “Maus” by Art Spiegelman

Explanatory Topics About Psychology and Sociology

Social Dynamics in Diverse Communities: An Analytical Approach
Exploring Human Behavior: Understanding the Psychology of Crime
Emotional Intelligence: A Comprehensive Review and Critique
Milgram’s Experiment: The Ethical Implications and Lessons Learned
Child Development: Language Acquisition in Early Childhood
Jungian Archetypes: Their Influence on Personality Development
Cognitive Dissonance: A Detailed Analysis
Intersectionality: Exploring Its Influence on Individual Identity
Psychoanalytic Theory: Revisiting Sigmund Freud’s Interpretation of Dreams
Bystander Effect: A Critical Examination in the Context of Modern Society
Nature Versus Nurture: The Enduring Debate in Personality Development
Cult Behavior: Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Collective Action
False Memories: A Deep Dive Into the Phenomenon and Its Implications
Stereotypes and Prejudice: Deconstructing Social Constructs
Gender Identity: A Comprehensive Look at Its Formation
Neuroplasticity: The Revolutionary Concept in Neuroscience
Attachment Theory: A Review of Its Role in Human Relationships
Operant Conditioning: A Critical Appraisal of B.F. Skinner’s Experiments
Cultural Norms: Their Influence on Social Behavior
Happiness: Exploring the Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Subjective Well-Being

Philosophy and Religion Explanatory Essay Topics

Analyzing Nietzsche’s Assertion of God’s Death: Implications for Modern Philosophy
Descartes and the Cartesian Doubt: An Explanatory Analysis
Eastern Philosophy: Unraveling the Concepts of Taoism
Kierkegaard’s Leap of Faith: An Existentialist Perspective
Just War Theory: An Evaluation in the Context of Modern Conflicts
Aristotle’s Metaphysics: Understanding the Doctrine of Hylomorphism
Reincarnation Concept in Hindu Philosophy: An In-Depth Analysis
Spinoza’s Pantheism: A Critical Examination of Divine Nature
Transcendentalism: Emerson and Thoreau’s Contributions to American Philosophy
Sufism: Understanding the Mystical Branch of Islam
Theodicy Problem: An Exploration of Evil in a World Created by an Omnipotent God
Buddhism: An Investigation Into the Four Noble Truths
Kantian Ethics: Exploring the Categorical Imperative
St. Thomas Aquinas’s Five Ways: Proving the Existence of God
Jain Philosophy: Non-Absolutism and Its Implications
Confucian Ethics: Analyzing the Doctrine of Reciprocity
Zoroastrianism: Tracing the Ancient Persian Religion and Its Impact
Stoicism: Its Relevance in Contemporary Life
Derrida’s Deconstruction: Challenging Traditional Philosophical Concepts

Sports and Leisure Activities Explanatory Topics

Judo Techniques: An Examination of Kuzushi and Tsukuri
Hiking as a Form of Mindfulness Practice: An In-Depth Study
Chess Strategies: Understanding the Sicilian Defense
Scuba Diving: Safety Protocols and Equipment Usage
Marathon Training: Essential Guidelines for Optimal Performance
Soccer Tactics: Analyzing the Tiki-Taka Style
Mountaineering: Necessary Skills for Conquering High Peaks
Origins of Basketball: A Detailed Study of James Naismith’s Invention
Tennis: A Study of Different Court Surfaces and Their Effects on Gameplay
Exploration of Surfing: Understanding Wave Selection and Riding Techniques
Archery: The Science Behind Precision and Accuracy
Yoga: Unraveling the Meaning and Purpose of Different Asanas
Cricket: Appreciating the Nuances of Spin Bowling
Kiteboarding: Techniques and Safety Measures
Pilates: Core Principles and Their Health Benefits
Badminton Footwork: The Key to Effective Game Play
Fishing: An Exploration of Different Techniques and Their Success Rates
Ballet: Understanding the Significance of Pointe Work
Table Tennis: The Importance of Spin in Gameplay
Equestrian Sports: The Art of Dressage Explained

Current Events and News Explanatory Topics

Dynamics of Hybrid Workplaces in the Post-Pandemic World
Cryptocurrency Regulations: Diverse Approaches Around the Globe
Migration Patterns Altered by Climate Change
Decoding China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Strategic Aims and Implications
Brexit: Detailed Examination of Long-Term Economic Consequences
Online Privacy: Discussing Data Protection Laws Across Different Jurisdictions
Vaccine Diplomacy: Covid-19 and Global Health Politics
Influence of Social Media on Contemporary Political Movements
Artificial Intelligence: Exploring Ethical Questions and Future Challenges
Emerging Trends in Renewable Energy Technologies
Global Plastic Waste Crisis: Potential Solutions and Challenges
Digital Currency: Understanding Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)
The Proliferation of Cybercrime in the Digital Age
Analysis of Refugee Crisis in the Mediterranean: Causes and Responses
Global Disparities in Covid-19 Vaccination Rates and Their Implications
Space Tourism: A New Frontier or a Futile Endeavour?
Decarbonization Strategies in the Global Shipping Industry
Gig Economy: Analyzing Workers’ Rights and Legal Frameworks
Global Rise of Right-Wing Populism: Causes and Consequences

Explanatory Essay Topics About Personal Experiences

Solo Travel Decoded: My Insights and Lessons
Living in a Non-English-Speaking Country: My Story of Overcoming Language Barriers
How I Coped With Loss: Personal Narratives and Healing
Living With a Chronic Illness: My Personal Experience
My Adoption Journey: Insights From an Adoptive Parent
Surviving Unemployment: My Personal Coping Strategies
My Struggle With Imposter Syndrome: A Personal Reflection
From Novice to Mastery: My Journey in Learning a New Skill
One Year in a Monastery: My Journey of Self-Discovery
Moving Across Continents: My Immigrant Experience
My Road to Recovery: Battling Addiction and Finding Sobriety
Parenting in a Digital Age: My Personal Experiences and Observations
Navigating the Loss of a Loved One: My Personal Experience With Grief
Transitioning to a Vegan Lifestyle: My Personal Journey and Lessons
Turning a Hobby Into a Business: My Personal Journey
Mid-Life Career Change: My Insights and Challenges
My Adult Friendship Experiences: Navigating the Dynamics
Resilience After Failure: My Personal Setbacks and Lessons
Entering the World of Self-Publishing: My Personal Journey and Advice
Adapting to the New Normal: My Experience With Remote Work

Explanatory Topics on Hobbies and Interests

Digital Photography: An Exploration of Techniques and Styles
Origins of Scrapbooking: A Creative Form of Personal History
Understanding the Basics of Stamp Collection
Insights Into the World of Amateur Astronomy
Gardening Techniques: A Look Into Sustainable Practices
Knitting Patterns: A Journey Through Textures and Designs
Home Brewing: A Guide to Crafting Your Own Beer
Origami Art: The Beauty of Paper Folding
Underwater Exploration: Basics of Scuba Diving
Vintage Car Restoration: The Allure and Techniques
Numismatics: Unraveling the History of Coin Collecting
Exploring Bird Watching: Species Identification and Habitats
Board Games: Strategy, Skill, and Luck
Cooking Techniques: Exploring Different Cuisines
Piano Playing: An Introduction to Techniques and Styles
Biking Trails: An Overview of Types and Safety Measures
Meditation Practices: A Journey Into Mindfulness
Pottery: A Look Into Clay Molding Techniques
Aquarium Setup: Understanding Fish Care and Aqua Scaping

Travel and Tourism Explanatory Topics

Cultural Nuances: Exploring World Customs Through Travel
Backpacking Through Europe: An In-Depth Overview
Understanding Ecotourism: Balancing Leisure and Sustainability
Tourism in Antarctica: A Unique and Fragile Frontier
Essentials of Planning a Cruise Holiday
Historic Sites in Egypt: A Journey to the Ancient World
Exploring Hospitality Traditions around the World
Intricacies of Wine Tourism in Bordeaux
Wildlife Safari Experience in African Countries
Culinary Tourism: A Taste of Global Cuisines
Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness: A New Dimension to Tourism
Camping Essentials: A Guide to Outdoor Adventures
Journey Through the Silk Road: Historical and Cultural Insights
Revealing the Mysteries of Dark Tourism
World’s Most Scenic Train Rides: A Traveler’s Perspective
Cultural Festivals: An Excursion Into Global Celebrations
Deep Dive Into Underwater Hotels: A New Trend in Tourism
Touring Space: The Future of Tourism?
Navigating the Grand Canyons: Geological Wonders and Tourism
Asia’s Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Tourist Destinations

Explanatory Essay Topics for Food and Cooking

Understanding Food Pairings in Fine Dining
Sourdough Bread Making: A Detailed Overview
Culinary Traditions of the Mediterranean Diet
Journey through French Pastries: A Sweet Exploration
Demystifying Molecular Gastronomy: A Science or an Art?
Basics of Sushi Preparation: Japanese Culinary Art
Slow Cooking Techniques: Enhancing Flavor and Nutrition
Brewing Techniques: A Guide to Craft Beers
Barbecue Styles Around the World: Smoky Delights
Deconstructing Wine Tasting: Notes, Bouquet, and Terroir
Vegetarian Cuisine: Diverse and Nutrient-Rich Dishes
Exploring the Art of Making Artisan Cheese
Indian Spices and Their Culinary Uses
Culinary Innovations: Food Presentation and Plating Techniques
Understanding the Health Benefits of Fermented Foods
Italian Pasta Varieties: More Than Just Spaghetti
Unfolding the Mysteries of Truffle Hunting
Mexican Street Food: A Tour of Tacos, Tamales, and Tortas
Tea Cultures Around the World: Beyond the Cup
Baking Basics: From Simple Cookies to Elaborate Cakes

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How to write an expository essay

How to Write an Expository Essay | Structure, Tips & Examples

Published on July 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

“Expository” means “intended to explain or describe something.” An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a particular topic, process, or set of ideas. It doesn’t set out to prove a point, just to give a balanced view of its subject matter.

Expository essays are usually short assignments intended to test your composition skills or your understanding of a subject. They tend to involve less research and original arguments than argumentative essays .

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When should you write an expository essay, how to approach an expository essay, introducing your essay, writing the body paragraphs, concluding your essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about expository essays.

In school and university, you might have to write expository essays as in-class exercises, exam questions, or coursework assignments.

Sometimes it won’t be directly stated that the assignment is an expository essay, but there are certain keywords that imply expository writing is required. Consider the prompts below.

The word “explain” here is the clue: An essay responding to this prompt should provide an explanation of this historical process—not necessarily an original argument about it.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to define a particular term or concept. This means more than just copying down the dictionary definition; you’ll be expected to explore different ideas surrounding the term, as this prompt emphasizes.

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An expository essay should take an objective approach: It isn’t about your personal opinions or experiences. Instead, your goal is to provide an informative and balanced explanation of your topic. Avoid using the first or second person (“I” or “you”).

The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It’s worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline .

A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Like all essays, an expository essay begins with an introduction . This serves to hook the reader’s interest, briefly introduce your topic, and provide a thesis statement summarizing what you’re going to say about it.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

The body of your essay is where you cover your topic in depth. It often consists of three paragraphs, but may be more for a longer essay. This is where you present the details of the process, idea or topic you’re explaining.

It’s important to make sure each paragraph covers its own clearly defined topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Different topics (all related to the overall subject matter of the essay) should be presented in a logical order, with clear transitions between paragraphs.

Hover over different parts of the example paragraph below to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

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The conclusion of an expository essay serves to summarize the topic under discussion. It should not present any new information or evidence, but should instead focus on reinforcing the points made so far. Essentially, your conclusion is there to round off the essay in an engaging way.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a conclusion works.

The invention of the printing press was important not only in terms of its immediate cultural and economic effects, but also in terms of its major impact on politics and religion across Europe. In the century following the invention of the printing press, the relatively stationary intellectual atmosphere of the Middle Ages gave way to the social upheavals of the Reformation and the Renaissance. A single technological innovation had contributed to the total reshaping of the continent.

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An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.

Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.

You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.

An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.

Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

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30 Great Explanatory Essay Topics

Explanatory essays are one of the most common essay types students are asked to write. Teachers and students may find it hard at first to come up with interesting topics for explanatory essays, and so we have put together this list of explanatory essay topics for students to write about. First, let’s take a look at what exactly an explanatory essay is.

An Explanatory essay is a type of essay in which the author explains a topic, event, or situation in detail and presents a point of view on the subject. This point of view can be based on the author’s own opinion, or from a different point of view as long as the reasons behind it at explained.

Now that you know what an explanatory essay is, here are some great topics for an explanatory essay. If this is the first time your students are writing this type of essay, you may want to provide them with an explanatory essay example to help them understand the style and format of this kind of essay.

30 Great Explanatory Essay Topics For Students

What is the most exciting sport to watch? Write an explanatory essay explaining why you feel that way.
Do you think kids and teenagers should be allowed access to social media ? Provide at least 3 reasons to support your answer.
What’s the best meal or snack you can make at home? Explain step by step how to make it.
What do you think is the most important rule to follow at school and why?
Write an explanatory essay about a tradition or holiday that you do not celebrate.
Which animals make the best pets? Write an essay explaining why you feel that way.
What an explanatory essay about an event that had a big impact on your life.
What is the most helpful piece of technology you own? Write an explanatory essay explaining why you think it is the most useful.
Who is the most influential person in your country? Write an explanatory essay explaining why you think they are so influential.
What does it mean to be ‘responsible’? How does being responsible change with age?
What is ‘cyberbullying’, and what are some things you and your peers can do to prevent cyberbullying.
What are the main differences between your generation and your parents’ generation?
Write about a 21st-century invention or innovation that has significantly changed how we live our lives.
Everyone is different! What makes you unique?
What does it mean to be a good friend? Write at least three qualities a good friend should have.
If you could build your dream home, what would it be like?
Name one thing you are really good at. Write an explanatory essay explaining how you would teach this skill to others.
What’s more important, being rich or being happy? Provide three reasons why you feel the way you do.
Do you think the school lunch in your school is good? Write an explanatory essay explaining why you like or dislike your school lunch.
Has the rise of social media had a positive or negative effect on society? Provide at least three reasons why you feel this way?
What’s the best sandwich you’ve ever had? Write an essay explaining the ingredients and how to make the perfect sandwich.
Should children and teenagers be allowed to play computer games? Write an explanatory essay justifying your answer.
What does freedom mean to you?
Do you think big tech companies have too much power? Write an explanatory essay justifying your answer.
Should advertisers be allowed to target children in their ads? Write an essay explaining and justifying your answer.
What job would you like to do in the future? Write an explanatory essay detailing a typical day at the position you chose.
What important issues would you address if you were the president? Explain why these issues are important to you.
Write an essay explaining the plot of your favorite book or movie and why you like it so much.
Which season do you like the most? Write an explanatory essay explaining what it is like at that time of year and why you like it.
What would you do if you couldn’t use your cellphone for a week? How would your typical day be different?

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As you can see, there are lots of interesting explanatory essay topics students can write about. No matter which topic students choose, be sure to let them know the more they write the more they will improve and enjoy writing. Be sure you go, make sure to check out the related writing resources below for many more topic ideas.

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How to Write an Explanatory Essay: Topics, Outline, Example

Have you ever been tasked with writing an explanation essay and wondered where to start? You’re not alone! Many students struggle with the challenge of presenting complex ideas in a concise and engaging manner. Fear not; with the right approach, learning how to write an explanation essay can be a rewarding experience that enhances your understanding of a topic and sharpens your writing skills.

In this blog post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of crafting an exemplary explanation essay. We will explore the definition and purpose of explanatory essays, offer tips on topic selection, outline development, and delve into the essentials of how to write an explanatory essay. By the end of this post, you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to tackle any explanatory essay assignment that comes your way.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Explanatory essays, akin to expository essays , provide an unbiased and objective analysis of a topic with the aim of informing and clarifying.
Choosing the right topic for your explanatory essay involves selecting a neutral, engaging, and relevant topic supported by ample researchable information.
Writing an explanatory essay requires conducting thorough research, utilizing transitions & linking words judiciously, citing sources accurately & revising/editing to ensure high quality work.

Explanatory Essays: Definition and Purpose

An expository essay, also known as an explanatory essay or an explanatory paper, is a type of explanatory writing wherein one is required to describe and elucidate a particular point of view, incident, event, or situation. Unlike argumentative or persuasive essays, the goal of explanation essays, including expository essays, is to offer an unbiased and objective analysis of a topic, aiming to inform and clarify without arguing or persuading. By presenting information in a clear and organized manner, explanatory essays help readers develop a better understanding of the subject matter.

Explanatory essays follow the traditional explanatory essay format, which includes an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The thesis statement, located in the introduction, is a specific and argumentable statement that concisely presents the primary concept of the essay. The body paragraphs provide evidence and explanations to support the thesis, while the conclusion ties everything together and leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the author’s presentation.

Choosing the Right Topic for Your Explanatory Essay

Selecting an appropriate topic is a crucial step in crafting a successful explanatory essay. A well-written explanation essay seeks to offer an unbiased and objective analysis of a topic, with the intention of informing and elucidating without trying to convince. Therefore, it is essential to choose a topic that is neutral, engaging, and aligns with your interests and the interests of your target audience.

To generate ideas for an explanation essay, consider topics that you have personal experience with or are genuinely curious about. It is also important to ensure that the topic can be effectively researched and that there is ample information available to compose a comprehensive paper. Once you have a list of potential topics, evaluate them based on their relevance to the assignment and your familiarity with the subject matter. This will help you select a topic that will not only be engaging to your readers but also enjoyable for you to research and write about.

Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the backbone of your explanation essay, as it sets the stage for the rest of the paper. A strong explanation essay thesis statement should be concise, debatable, and supportable, summarizing the main idea and purpose of the essay. It is important to invest time and effort into crafting a compelling thesis statement, as it will guide your research and shape the overall structure of your essay.

To develop an effective thesis statement, start by identifying the primary concept or argument that you want to convey in your essay. Then refine your statement to ensure that it is succinct and specific, while still being arguable and justifiable.

If you find yourself struggling to create a strong thesis statement, consider drafting a rough version and returning to it after you have completed the rest of the paper. This will allow you to refine your statement based on the evidence and arguments presented in your essay.

Developing an Effective Explanatory Essay Outline

An effective explanatory essay outline is essential for organizing your thoughts and ideas in a logical manner, ensuring a smooth flow throughout your essay. The outline should include an introduction, body, and conclusion, each containing specific information arranged in a logical manner to ensure the continuity of the paper. By creating a detailed outline, you can easily identify any gaps in your research or argumentation and make revisions as needed.

In the following subsections, we will delve into strategies for writing an engaging explanatory essay introduction, structuring body paragraphs, and crafting a compelling conclusion. These techniques will help you create an effective explanatory essay outline that will serve as a roadmap for your writing process.

Introduction Strategies

The introduction is the first part of your essay that your readers will encounter, and it plays a crucial role in grabbing their attention and setting the stage for the thesis statement. To create an engaging introduction, you can employ various hooks, such as rhetorical questions, quotes, or statistics, to capture the reader’s interest and provide a foundation for your thesis statement.

An effective introduction should also provide a concise overview of the subject matter and the primary concepts that the reader will encounter while perusing the essay. This background information helps your readers understand the context of your essay and prepares them for the arguments and evidence presented in the body paragraphs. By crafting an engaging and informative introduction, you set the tone for the rest of your essay and encourage your readers to continue reading.

Structuring Body Paragraphs

Structuring body paragraphs involves presenting evidence to support your thesis statement while ensuring clarity and logical organization. Each body paragraph should focus on a particular aspect of the topic and provide evidence to back it up. This can include facts, quotes, statistics, survey results, and examples that help validate your arguments and substantiate your assertions.

To ensure clarity and logical organization in your body paragraphs, you can employ various techniques, such as utilizing transitions between paragraphs, supplying examples to elucidate points, and employing linking words to connect ideas. Transitions and linking words, such as “however,” “therefore,” “in addition,” and “furthermore,” can help guide your readers through your essay and make it easier for them to follow your ideas and arguments.

By carefully structuring your body paragraphs, you can create a coherent and persuasive explanatory essay that effectively supports your thesis statement.

Crafting a Compelling Conclusion

The conclusion of your explanation essay is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your readers. A compelling conclusion should summarize the main points presented in your essay, restate your thesis statement, and offer recommendations or a call to action. This helps to reinforce the key ideas and arguments in your essay and leaves your readers with something to ponder.

When crafting your conclusion, it is important to avoid introducing new information or arguments, as this can confuse your readers and weaken the overall impact of your essay. Instead, focus on providing a concise and convincing summary of the evidence presented in your essay and how it supports your thesis statement. By doing so, you can leave your readers with a clear understanding of your essay’s purpose and a sense of closure.

Writing Your Explanatory Essay: Step-by-Step Process

Now that you have a solid understanding of the key components of an explanation essay, it is time to embark on the writing process. In this section, we will outline a step-by-step process for writing an explanatory essay, which includes conducting thorough research, utilizing transitions and linking words, and citing sources to avoid plagiarism.

By following this step-by-step process, you can ensure that your explanation essay is well-structured and informative, providing your readers with a clear understanding of the subject matter. With practice and persistence, you can master the art of explanatory essay writing and create engaging, persuasive essays that effectively convey complex ideas.

Conducting Thorough Research

Conducting thorough research is essential for an explanation essay, as it helps gather credible evidence (facts, quotes, statistics, survey results, and examples) to support your thesis statement. Begin by selecting a topic that is of personal interest and has some familiarity. Once you have chosen a topic, conduct preliminary research to ensure that there is sufficient information available to compose a comprehensive paper.

When gathering information for your essay, it is crucial to utilize dependable sources, such as scholarly articles, books, and websites. Be sure to take notes and keep track of the sources you have used, as this will make it easier to reference them in your essay and avoid plagiarism. By conducting thorough research, you can ensure that your essay is well-supported and provides a comprehensive analysis of the topic.

Utilizing Transitions and Linking Words

Utilizing transitions and linking words is crucial for ensuring a smooth flow throughout your explanation essay and making it easier for readers to follow your ideas and arguments. Examples of transitions and linking words include phrases such as “however”, “therefore”, “in addition” and “furthermore”.

Incorporating these transitions and linking words in your essay helps guide your readers through the progression of your arguments and enhances the overall readability of your paper. Be sure to use them judiciously and avoid overusing a specific transition or linking word, as this may become repetitive and detract from the flow of your essay.

By employing a variety of transitions and linking words, you can create a cohesive and engaging explanatory essay that effectively conveys your ideas.

Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism

Citing sources accurately and consistently is crucial for avoiding plagiarism and ensuring the credibility of your explanation essay. When composing an explanation essay, sources are typically cited following either MLA, APA, or Harvard formatting. In-text citations generally include the author’s name and the year the source was published, and for direct quotations, the page number must also be specified.

By accurately citing your sources, you not only give credit to the original authors, but also demonstrate your commitment to academic integrity and the credibility of your essay. Be sure to double-check your citations and proofread your essay for any errors or inconsistencies in your referencing style. By doing so, you can avoid plagiarism and ensure that your essay is a credible and accurate representation of your research and ideas.

Analyzing Explanatory Essay Examples

Analyzing explanatory essay examples can provide valuable insights into the structure, style, and content of successful essays, helping you improve your own writing. By examining well-written examples, you can gain a better understanding of the key elements of an explanation essay, such as the thesis statement, the organization of body paragraphs, and the overall flow of the essay.

When analyzing explanatory essay examples, pay close attention to the clarity of the explanations, the use of evidence to support the argument, and the general structure and format of the essay. Also, consider the effectiveness of the thesis statement and the essay in conveying information.

By studying and learning from exemplary essays, you can refine your own writing and create an engaging, informative, and well-structured explanation essay. In fact, knowing how to write an explanation essay is essential for developing your skills in this area.

Tips for Revising and Editing Your Explanatory Essay

Once you have completed your explanation essay, it is essential to revise and edit your work to ensure that it is of high quality and free of mistakes. Start by reviewing your essay for clarity, organization, and logical flow. Check that your thesis statement is clear and concise, and that your body paragraphs effectively support your argument.

During the revision process, ask yourself the following questions: Is the essay organized effectively? Are the transitions between paragraphs seamless? Are there any grammatical or orthographic errors? Are sources referenced accurately? If necessary, make any revisions to improve the overall quality and coherence of your essay.

Finally, proofread your essay for any remaining errors and inconsistencies. Consider presenting your essay to a trusted friend or classmate for feedback, as they may be able to spot mistakes that you may have missed. By revising and editing your essay, you can ensure that it is polished, engaging, and free of errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of an explanatory essay.

An explanation essay format typically consists of an introduction, three body paragraphs with one subtopic per paragraph, and a conclusion. It is a basic essay structure which can be further expanded as needed.

Formal language should be used and the goal is to make a connection with the reader through the text.

What is the best way to start an explanatory essay?

To begin an explanation essay, start with an attention-grabbing statement or question that draws your readers in. This should be written in a formal tone, and include a clear conclusion in the first sentence without an introduction or summary.

What are the main parts of an explanatory essay?

An explanation essay typically consists of an introduction with a hook, some background information, and a thesis statement.

It then progresses to further explain the topic and draw a conclusion.

How do you write a 5 paragraph explanatory essay?

To write a five-paragraph explanatory essay, you must create an introduction that introduces the main topic and states the thesis, three body paragraphs to support the thesis, and a concluding paragraph to wrap up the points made in the essay.

The tone should be formal throughout, with clear connections to the reader.

What is the main difference between an explanatory essay and an argumentative essay?

Explanatory essays seek to explain a topic without presenting an argument, while argumentative essays make an assertion and support it with evidence.

These two types of essays have different goals and require different approaches. Explanatory essays focus on providing information and context, while argumentative essays focus on making a persuasive argument.

When writing an essay, it is important to write an explanation.

In conclusion, writing an exemplary explanation essay requires a clear understanding of the topic, careful planning, thorough research, and effective organization. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this blog post, you can create engaging, informative, and persuasive explanatory essays that effectively convey complex ideas. With practice and persistence, you can master the art of explanatory essay writing and tackle any assignment that comes your way.

7+ Explanatory Essay Examples That Get the Best Grades

Meredith Sell

Writing explanatory essays is hard, even for experienced scholars.

In this post, I want to try to tackle the major challenges students face when writing this type of essay, using examples of successful essays. These challenges include:

Struggling to come up with the right idea . (solution: brainstorming techniques )
Difficulty in organizing the essay. (solution: working on the outline of the essay)
Not having enough evidence or sources to back up points. (solution: doing proper research )
Failing to come up with a conclusion. (solution: following our guide to conclusions )
Not having enough knowledge of the topic. (solution: summarizing key articles on the topic)
Having trouble finding the right words. (solution: writing with Wordtune )
Not having enough time to finish the essay. (solution: working on student time management )
Not being able to present arguments effectively. (solution: learning essay persuasion techniques )

As you can see, for every issue there is the relevant solution, but it takes time to implement it. Another way of tackling this essay is to see other people's essay examples and getting inspiration from them.

Write your explanatory essay faster with this FREE AI tool > Write your explanatory essay faster with this FREE AI tool >

What Is an Explanatory Essay?

If you google “explanatory essay”, you’ll find a bunch of sites saying that an explanatory essay is the same as an expository essay, or that it’s totally different, or not even mentioning that expository essays exist. Who’s right?

Answer: Whoever your professor agrees with.

No, seriously. Your professor decides the parameters of your assignment. So if your professor defines an explanatory essay as one that describes a perspective or analyzes the efficacy of, for example, a local housing policy—that’s the definition you should work from.

But if your professor distinguishes between explanatory essays (which simply explain what something is and how it works or was developed) and expository essays (which expose the reality of a person, place, thing, or idea through investigation and evaluation), you should distinguish between them as well.

For the purposes of this piece, we’re going to use explanatory and expository interchangeably. The dividing line that some draw between these essay types is unnecessarily technical. What’s important is that both:

Use an objective perspective
Let the facts speak for themselves

As long as your essay does the same (and includes analysis if required by your professor), you should be in good shape.

Example of explanatory essay

We wrote a whole article on generating essay topic ideas , but here is a good example that can help you get an idea for your own essay:

Why is having a dog as a pet such a wonderful experience?

Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the world. They are beloved companions that bring joy and happiness into the lives of their owners. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and have evolved to become the perfect pet for humans. In this essay, I will explain why having a dog as a pet is a wonderful experience.

One of the primary benefits of having a dog as a pet is the companionship they offer. Dogs are social animals that thrive on human interaction. They are loyal and loving creatures that are always there for their owners. Dogs can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression, and provide comfort and support during difficult times.

Another benefit of having a dog as a pet is the health benefits they offer. Studies have shown that owning a dog can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve overall health. Dogs require daily exercise, which encourages their owners to be more active and can lead to a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, having a dog can boost the immune system and reduce the risk of allergies and asthma in children.

Dogs are also great for families with children. They can help teach children about responsibility, compassion, and empathy. Children can learn to care for and nurture their pets, which can be beneficial for their emotional development. Dogs are also great playmates for children and can provide hours of entertainment and fun.

Training and caring for a dog can also be a rewarding experience. Dogs can be trained to perform a variety of tasks, such as fetching, obedience, and even therapy work. The process of training a dog can help strengthen the bond between the owner and the dog and can be a fulfilling experience. Additionally, caring for a dog requires daily attention and can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment for the owner.

In conclusion, having a dog as a pet can be a wonderful experience. Dogs offer companionship, health benefits, and can be great for families with children. Caring for a dog can also be a rewarding experience and can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment for the owner. Owning a dog is a big responsibility, but the rewards far outweigh the effort required.

Example of an explanatory paragraph, generated with AI:

A few subtypes of explanatory essays:

Description or definition essay example

‍ Perhaps the most basic, this subtype does the deceptively simple work of, well, describing or defining a concept, place, person, etc.

Example: How Suspension Bridges Work

This essay explains: The way suspension bridges are constructed and how their design enables them to carry such immense weight.

Cause-and-effect essay example

This type of essay hones in on a particular phenomenon to show what caused it (i.e., where it came from) and how it influences other things.

Example: How Federally Funded Highways Transformed the United States

This essay explains: The history of federally funded highways in the U.S., when federal programs to fund highway construction started, why politicians and others thought highways were important, and what the effect has been on the landscapes, communities, economies, and ecosystems of the country.

Compare-and-contrast essay example

Take two or more things, gather the facts about them, and then write about their similarities and differences.

Example: Hybrid vs. Electric Cars

This essay explains: The various features of hybrid and electric cars, and shows how they are either different or similar in terms of: cost, energy consumption, size, drive time, ease of use, and so on.

‍ How-to essay example

Walk your reader step-by-step through a procedure so they can do it for themselves. (We’re doing this later!)

Example: How to Prepare for an Intercontinental Bike Trip

This essay explains: How to get ready for a bike trip between nations and continents. Readers learn how to research their route, find out what travel documents they need, choose the right gear, and determine how much training they should do before leaving.

Problem and solution essay example

Explain a problem (along with its causes and effects) and then describe one or more potential solutions to that problem. This subtype could also be combined with compare-and-contrast to determine the most effective solution.

Example: How Bike Infrastructure Could Solve American Obesity

This essay explains: How American reliance on motorized vehicles promotes a sedentary lifestyle that drives obesity, whereas building bike lanes and trails could encourage Americans to be more active and improve their health one pedal at a time.

‍ Chronology essay example

Explain the history or backstory of a person, place, thing, or idea in chronological order.

Example: The Evolution of the Bicycle

This essay explains: The initial invention of the bicycle and how its shape, frame, and size changed over the years.

What type of explanatory essay are you writing? Hopefully, this list helped you hone in. Now, let’s start the writing process.

5 Steps to Write Your Essay

Whether you’re writing an explanatory/expository essay or a persuasive essay, the process of researching and writing is pretty much the same. Both genres require research, organization, and thought . But with expository essays, the thought focuses on making sure you understand your topic inside-out and determining the best way to explain it, while with persuasive essays, you’re focused on crafting a convincing argument.

Follow these steps to turn that blank page into a final manuscript:

1. Choose topic and angle.

Do you have free rein to write about the topic of your choice? Make the most of it.

In college, my public speaking professor let us choose all of our own speech topics. A classmate gave an explanatory presentation on how to survive the zombie apocalypse . She brought props and had the class totally enchanted. Our professor encouraged creativity, so I’m sure she earned a winning grade—and had fun in the process.

You can’t use props or sound in a written essay, but you can still work some creative magic. That magic starts with choosing your topic and angle.

To choose well, first make sure you understand the assignment:

What exactly has your professor asked you to write? Which of the subtypes should your piece be?
Are there any parameters for what type of topic you can write about?
What kind of class is this? An English composition class will offer more freedom than, say, a history class focused on the French Revolution.

If you’re allowed to write about anything, brainstorm a list of topics you’re curious about. Then think of smaller topics within that area.

Example: Transportation

Electric cars
The highway system
Engineering

Any of these topics you could easily write volumes about, so next, narrow down to your specific angle. One way I like to come up with angles is to think of how two or three different topics intersect.

Example 1: electric cars + the highway system

Angle: How Much Will It Cost to Update Federal Highways with Charging Stations for Electric Cars

Notice that this angle includes a third element: cost

Example 2: bicycles + bridges

Angle: The Safest Bridges for Bicycles Have One Thing in Common: No Cars

Third element: safety

Example 3: electric cars + buses

Angle: Electric Cars vs. Buses: Which Is Better for the Environment?

Third element: environment

Your turn: Make a list of topics you’re interested in. Then, identify some intersecting topics. Based on your assignment parameters, develop an angle that narrows your focus to an intersection that interests you.

Not sure what angle to go with? Do some broad research on your topics and then return to this step.

2. Research, research, research.

Explanatory essays require solid research. These essays exist to lay out the facts for the reader so they can clearly understand the topic. Your opinion—what you think about electric cars or suspension bridges or transportation infrastructure—doesn’t matter. And it doesn’t belong here.

Where you should start your research depends on how much knowledge you already have.

If you’re writing about suspension bridges and you already know the Brooklyn Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge are suspension bridges, you probably don’t need to start with the encyclopedic entry for “suspension bridges”. But if you don’t know the basic facts about your topic, encyclopedias are a great place to start.

Thanks to the advances of technology—and this marvelous thing called the internet—you don’t have to go to a research library to gain that ground-level knowledge of your topic. But you do still need to make sure you’re drawing from credible sources.

For encyclopedias, try these to start:

Encyclopedia.com

Dictionaries can be helpful too:

Merriam-Webster
Dictionary.com

Once you know your topics’ basic facts, focus on researching those topics in the context of your angle . It may help to make a list of questions you’re trying to answer so you can keep your research focused.

Example: Electric Cars vs. Buses: Which Is Better for the Environment?

Are most buses gas-powered or electric?
What’s the average emissions of greenhouse gas from gas-powered buses?
How much energy do electric cars use? What’s the lifespan of their batteries? Are they just using electricity that was produced in a polluting way somewhere else? What about electric buses?
How many people can ride a bus? How many people typically are transported by one car?
What would be the average energy consumption per person in an electric car versus a bus?

Once you know the questions you need to answer, look for sources that address those questions. For an academic essay, you’ll probably want to stick with academic sources : peer-reviewed studies and research papers published by academic journals. But official government databases can also be useful. And news stories from reputable publications can provide some direction as well (check with your professor to see whether or not you can use news publications as sources for your essay). Your educational institution likely provides access to all of these kinds of sources through the university library.

Your turn: Think through your angle and make a list of questions your piece needs to answer. Next, start searching academic databases for the information you need. Take notes as you research, and be sure to save any links, titles, author names, page numbers, and publication information you’ll need to properly cite your sources.

3. Outline your essay.

Call me crazy, but I actually think this is the fun part. I hated writing outlines when I was in school, but since making my living as a professional writer, they’ve become the #1 way I beat writer’s block.

First: Throw out the idea that your outline should be a series of bullet points neatly organized into sections and subsections. Your outline only needs to make sense to you , so play around to find an approach that works with your brain. The idea here is simply to make a map you’ll follow when you sit down to write.

Here’s what I do:

Identify the specific hook I’m going to use to start things off.
List the different examples and details I need to include.
Use the main focus or idea of my piece to order everything in a natural, logical way.

A lot of times, my outline becomes a combination of bullet points and sentences or paragraphs I write as I’m sketching out the piece. I’m basically just thinking the piece through, from beginning to end. Instead of getting stuck while I’m writing, I work through the tough spots in the outlining stage.

This is what my outline looked like for this piece:

Okay, that’s kind of long, so I cut it off early—but you get the point.

A lot of times, my outline starts as bare-bones bullets. As I work on it, ideas pop up that I stick in where they make sense. But when I write, those elements might move around ( notice how the examples of transportation essays got bumped up to the section on subtypes of essays ).

Your outline is just a guide. It’s not an architect’s blueprint that needs to be followed to the exact millimeter. There’s room for things to change.

But an outline keeps you on-track when you’re writing . If you find yourself stuck (or lost) in the writing step, reference your map. You might need to backtrack, move what you’ve written around, or adjust your route.

Your turn: Take a few minutes and sketch out your essay. Where does it start? What points does it hit? Are there any ways you see the different points connecting that should inform how you order them? As you think it through, scribble out any lines or paragraphs that come to you and stick them in the outline where they make the most sense. Even if you don’t use these exact words later, they’ll help prevent that deer-in-the-headlights stare that hits when you see a blank page.

Time to put everything together!

With your outline and research ready, start your intro and set up your piece. Your opening should briefly introduce your readers to the topic(s) you’re writing about and the questions you’re going to answer—but don’t give everything away. You want to stir up readers’ curiosity and give them a reason to keep reading.

Depending on the length of your essay, your intro may be one to three paragraphs long (longer pieces get longer intros). But it should be concise and to the point, and smoothly transition into the body of your essay.

The body is the meat and potatoes of your piece. Answer those questions, flesh out your explanation, and give readers a thorough understanding of your topic. Show off your research! Include those bizarre and fascinating facts you learned along the way. Use a tasteful metaphor or compelling anecdote to explain some of the more difficult aspects of your topic.

As you write, be sure to follow a consistent logic throughout your piece:

If you’re detailing a history or an event, use chronological order: start at the beginning and write about the events in the order that they happened.
Are you explaining how a machine or other invention works? Start with where the movement starts—the pedals of a bicycle, the wind turning the turbines—or with the feature doing the most significant work (e.g., the wires of the suspension bridge).
Other logics include: size (small to large, large to small), significance (greatest to least), or space (left to right, right to left, outside to center, center to outside).

You don’t need to label everything you write about as the “next biggest” or “least significant”, but sticking to a logic helps your readers orient themselves—and helps you determine which paragraph or subtopic should go where. This way, your thoughts clearly flow from one paragraph to the next.

‍ Quick note: If you can’t name the logic that’s guiding your piece, don’t worry. As long as your paragraphs naturally follow each other and all questions raised in the intro are answered by the end, your essay probably follows a logic just fine. But if you feel like your piece bounces around willy-nilly, play with a couple different logics and see if one smoothly orders your sentences and paragraphs.

Your turn: Get writing! If you’re stuck on the intro, try writing a working title for your piece to focus your attention. Then, follow your outline to work all the way from the beginning to a conclusion that sums everything up.

If you can, let your piece sit for at least a day. Then, for the editing process , open up that document and read through with these questions in mind:

Does the essay fulfill the assignment? Review the assignment description from your professor. Does your essay tick all the boxes? If not, what’s missing? Can you weave that element into what you’ve already written? Revise as necessary.
Are the sentences and paragraphs ordered in a way that makes logical sense? If your essay feels clunky in places, you might have switched logics (as explained above) or you might need to insert some more explanation that clearly ties the sentences or paragraphs together. Make sure your essay doesn’t just list facts, but also shows how they relate to each other.
Does the hook catch your eye? The beginning of your piece should grab your reader’s attention. Check out our advice for prize-winning hooks here .
Does the conclusion effectively sum things up? Instead of repeating everything your essay says, your conclusion should briefly distill the main takeaway or core idea for your reader. It should show that you’ve fulfilled the promise made in your intro, without being unnecessarily repetitive or redundant.
Have you cited all your sources? Make sure to cross this off before hitting “submit.” Follow the citation style specified by your professor.
Is spelling and grammar clean and correct? You are writing, after all, and these things matter. A bonus tip to help you catch those sneaky typos: Read your piece backwards. You might be surprised what you spot.

Did We Explain That Well Enough?

This blog was basically a long, non-academic explanatory essay, so hopefully, you’ve learned something new and are feeling less overwhelmed about your essay on medieval literature, transportation infrastructure, Persian history—or whatever you’re writing about.

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The Subtle Art of Writing an Explanatory Essay

21 July, 2020

10 minutes read

Author: Richard Pircher

When writing an explanatory essay, you may have many questions connected with this paper type. You might wonder how to craft it, structure it, represent your thoughts, and many more. But the main question will refer to the paper type you’re working on. And the first thing you have to remember is that it’s not a persuasive essay. In this paper, you only have to describe some event or subject and explain its major aspects and importance to a reader.

Our article contains exhaustive information on writing explanatory essays. Also, we’ve written the tips that will help you craft an excellent paper. So, keep on reading for more details.

What Is an Explanatory Essay?

Before you start writing your task, it’s necessary to find out what is an explanatory essay. Without a clear understanding of this paper type, it’s impossible to craft a brilliant paper and get excellent grades. An explanatory essay is a work in which you present a point of view on some subject and describe its main features, importance, or simply answer questions, “ Why? ” and “ How? ”

This paper type requires you to research, analyze facts, and explain the opinion of other people. Of course, you’ll have your thoughts concerning the subject, but you’ll have to avoid sharing them in your essay. The writer’s opinion remains neutral, and it doesn’t matter if you agree or disagree with the topic. Your goal is to help a reader understand the problem or subject by explaining details.

When crafting an essay, you can also add statistics and examples to become the guide leading the audience through the topic. The analysis of the subject and facts you’ve found during the research will help readers understand why and how things have happened. People don’t have to agree with the information from your article – they will only have to find answers to questions concerning the topic.

6 Types of an explanatory essay

Now that you know the definition of an explanatory essay, it’s necessary to learn its major types. We’ve prepared the list that will help you cope with a task correctly. Here are 6 explanatory essay types you need to know:

Compare and contrast. This essay type requires you to describe differences and similarities between subjects, events, people, etc.
Definition. This essay type is written to explain the idea, term, or subject.
Classification. When crafting this essay type, you have to divide the characteristics of a subject or idea by groups and explain their features in detail.
Cause and effect. It’s necessary to describe the situation that has happened and the event it’s caused.
How-to. The explanation of this paper type is in its name – you have to explain how to do something or how things work.
Problem and solution. This type of essay requires a writer to research, analyze, and evaluate a problem. It’s also necessary to provide suggestions on its solution.

How to Start an Explanatory Essay?

How to write an explanatory essay? If you haven’t ever crafted this paper, this question will disturb you most of all. Before you start writing an explanatory essay, it’s necessary to take a few preparatory steps. Comprehensive research, fact-checking, and analysis are the most important stages of task completion. When exploring the topic, write down all the relevant details because you’ll use them in your article.

Keep in mind that this essay should only contain facts and a few of your thoughts – it’s a perfect combination that will allow you to describe things without persuasion. You’ll have to find several credible resources to come up with truthful information. And our recommendations will help you craft an excellent paper:

If a professor allows you to pick a topic, pick the neutral yet interesting one. For example, you can explain why people should learn more than two languages or how students can improve their writing skills.
Look for credible sources. You can use Wikipedia, JSTOR, or Google Scholar to find the necessary information. Besides, the door of the college library is always open for students.
Note essential details and quotes because you’ll use some of them in your paper.
Create an outline.
After researching the topic, collecting information, and writing an outline, it’s necessary to create a thesis statement. The latter explains what this topic is about. A thesis statement consists of one sentence and thoroughly describes a major idea of your essay.
Check the data you’re planning to use and start writing an essay.

Explanatory Essay Outline

The best way to organize your thoughts and the collected details you’re planning to describe in your essay is to design an outline. It’s basically a summary of a paper and it will only contain major ideas and arguments. Typically, an explanatory essay outline has the following structure:

1) Introduction. This section is a combination of three important ingredients – it should contain a hook, a short explanation of the topic, and a thesis statement. At this stage, a writer engages the reader by adding a relevant quote, joke, fact, or question concerning the subject. A few sentences are enough for the introduction section.

2) Body text. The optimal size of this section is 3 paragraphs. However, it will depend on the complexity of your explanatory essay and the professor’s requirements. Start a new paragraph if you want to describe another thought. Write a topic sentence to explain the main idea of every section. Support your thoughts by adding the facts you’ve found. They will develop the reader’s confidence in the trustworthiness of your statements.

3) Conclusion. In this section, you have to mention your thesis statement again, summarize the information from your essay, and highlight the topic’s value. Finish a paper with a call to action to motivate readers to research the subject in the future.

Explanatory Essay Examples

Here are some online explanatory essay examples:

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~davink/EXPOSITORY/Homesweet.html
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~davink/EXPOSITORY/Housereturn.html

Useful Tips for Successful Explanatory Essay

Since writing an explanatory essay may be challenging, it’s necessary to start with preparation and research. We’ve created some tips on crafting an expository paper to help you impress your professor. Follow our guide to come up with an excellent essay:

1. Pick an understandable topic

If a professor allows you to choose explanatory essay topics, it’s better to focus on subjects that are easy to write about. There’s a thing called the “ writer’s block ” which doesn’t let you craft any sentence. You can’t find the necessary words, and writing turns into the impossible mission. Sometimes a complicated topic is a problem that causes the writer’s block. That’s why you have to pick it carefully. It should be neutral yet interesting to you. Here are a few examples of topics you can select:

Why does everyone need friends?
How to choose a career that is right for you?
How do technologies shape your life?
Why do Chinese people respect the symbol of the Dragon so much?
What are the main stressors in students’ lives?

2. Conduct comprehensive research

It’s necessary to dedicate some time to research, fact-checking, and data analysis to come up with an excellent explanatory essay. Pick reputable resources to avoid providing misinformation. Write down all the relevant details and return to them later to choose the most important ones.

3. Craft an outline

An outline is a brief model of your future paper that will help you organize your ideas. As we’ve mentioned, it will consist of three sections, including an introduction, body text, and a conclusion. Divide your outline by sections, and you’ll see how many paragraphs your piece will have. A traditional explanatory essay format is a paper with 5 paragraphs. They include an introduction and conclusion. The body section usually has 3 paragraphs. However, a number of sections will depend on the complexity of a topic and the professor’s requirements.

4. Check your essay

After you’ve written an explanatory essay, it’s necessary to check it for grammar mistakes, punctuation errors, and miswording. We recommend you to read the text aloud to make sure it sounds natural. And you can use online tools like Grammarly and Thesaurus to improve your writing.

Write an Excellent Explanatory Essay with HandmadeWriting

Sometimes it’s better to ask for professional help rather than taking a risk and getting bad grades. HandmadeWriting is a reputable writing service offering the execution of high-quality papers. You can hire a professional essay writer specializing in your discipline, and they will help you complete the task excellently and improve your academic picture.

HandmadeWriting consists of more than 700 writers, which means that you’ll definitely find the one who’ll assist you even with a specific task. It’s fine if you have an urgent order because an experienced specialist will quickly craft an essay and deliver it even before the deadline. You’ll receive a professionally proofread paper meeting all your requirements,

When crafting an explanatory essay, follow such fundamental rules as picking an understandable topic, researching, using credible sources, writing an outline, and revising your paper. Hiring a professional writer from HandmadeWriting is another way to get an excellent writing piece done. So, choose the solution that works best for you and hurry up to improve your scores.

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50 Explanatory Essay Topics for Desperate Students

Explanatory essay topics may be challenging

While the explanatory essay writing may seem like a daunting task, with a little bit of our professional guidance and an extensive list of essay topic examples and geeky tips, you will feel much better in a moment! As the deadline approaches and you already have too much on your plate, you are not alone! Trust me, most students struggle to choose an excellent explanatory essay topic for their paper! Most often, when you try to look for help, you end up with a list of unclear ideas from the countless sources and only waste your time as the deadline is coming up.

Without a doubt, embarking on a quest to pick an explanatory essay topic is like looking for a needle in a haystack! To save you time and nerves, I have consulted with our team of college and university graduates, college professors, and the tutors to make a list of excellent 50 explanatory essay topics to help you jumpstart your brain and deliver the best paper just in time! 👇

Contents (Clickable)

What is an Explanatory Essay?

Explanatory Essay Definition and Examples

So what is really an explanatory essay, you might wonder? Let me tell you that such papers are also known as expository essays. An explanatory article is one of the most common academic requirements in school. Speaking from my experience, it can also appear in your final exams! Depending on your teacher, your task can be in the form of:

Compare and contrast essays
Definition essays
How-to essays
Cause and effect essays

Turning to the Purdue OWL website, we can see that an explanatory article allows a student to:

Investigate and expound on an idea.
Evaluate the evidence.
Form a clear and defined thesis statement.

Let me remind you that your explanatory topic can range from an environmental issue and education struggles in your community to history and the technology. With the thought in mind, I have divided all the themes by subject, so you can get the idea and scroll to what fits your future major or interests you the most! 👇

Topics In the Field of Business

When choosing a business topic, make sure to use a strong argumentation and see if you can compare and contrast the issue to an opinion that you have in mind! See the examples:

Sexual harassment or gender discrimination in the workforce and its impacts.
How do the employers ensure the physical and mental health of their employees?
Discrimination against older job applicants vis-à-vis younger job searchers (ageism).
How do the office politics work? How does an individual handle it?
Compare and contrast business plans from the feasibility studies.
Compare and contrast business organizations (sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation).
How do the businesses benefit from behavioral tracking and marketing strategies?
How can businesses affect (or contribute) to the environment?
How do businesses use social media to promote their goods and services?
How can the businesses manage negative reviews on social media platforms (or incompetent employees)?

History and Politics Explanatory Essay Topics

An explanatory essay is a great chance to discuss and research the conflicts that took place in our history, talk about the laws, and the politics. If something tickles your brain and concerns you, look through the ideas we have to get your topic:

How did the Israel and Palestine conflict ensue? (You also have an option to tackle other inter-state disputes that you may find interesting!)
How are the laws implemented in a state?
Compare and contrast realism, liberalism, globalism/Marxism, and constructivism (Explore the International Relations theories).
Compare and contrast the three waves of feminism.
Discuss the history of the Atlantic slave trade and its impacts.
How is diplomacy used in foreign policy to prevent or de-escalate the war?
How does an international law restrict the behavior of states and their sovereignty in the international arena?
The role of geography in a state (Ex: United States).
An expository essay on the history, functions, and role of the United Nations.
Religion and politics: Explain the role of religion in the political sphere of a state/states.

Do you want to write a paper that will hook up reader’s attention from the very beginning? Check out our Essay Hook Guide with Examples and take your reader’s breath away!

The Internet, Cyberspace, and Technology Related Explanatory Essay Topics

Living in the age of the Internet and technological advancements, there is a lot to choose from when you are interested in the technology related topics:

An explanatory essay on states and cybersecurity.
The deep web and human trafficking/terrorism.
How can the parents safeguard their child’s safety online without infringing on their right to privacy?
How do computer viruses and malware form and spread?
How can the overconsumption of social media contribute to depression and other mental illnesses?
How can social media shape an individual’s perception of beauty?
The dangers of leaving a digital footprint.
How can modern technologies benefit students and their education?
Internet monitoring or censorship in states?
Compare and contrast WhatsApp and Viber (or any other software applications).

Explanatory Essay Topics Related to Science

Even the engineering and science majors do get explanatory essay assignments! I have tried to make it look interesting:

How are astronauts sent into space?
How does the brain impact a person’s decision making process?
The development of the periodic table of the elements.
How do technology and scientific advances curb infectious diseases?
Compare and contrast the animal cells from the plant cells.
How does the body maintain homeostasis?
How does a sedentary lifestyle affect an individual’s health?
An explanatory essay on the nervous system (or any organ system).
A discussion on the water cycle.
The connection between physical and mental health.

Find My Essay

how to write an explanatory essay.

I want to share some helpful explanatory essay tips and tricks that I have found helpful. As you read below, you will find a detailed template to help you see what parts have to be present. Now let us start with the list of things to check and follow:

1 Always Plan Ahead!

One of the most challenging things when writing an essay is meeting your deadline and making sure that you nothing is missed! Therefore, you should learn to manage your time, strength, and workload.

Dedicate time for researching a potential topic for your explanatory essay.
Set a feasible deadline for yourself.
Make sure that you stay away from the things that distract you and if there is something that troubles or irritates you, deal with it first.

Take note: An accurate time management practice helps you to prevent yourself from procrastinating.

2 Find a Good Topic!

As you start looking for a good topic, bear in mind the following topic hunting guidelines:

You can try listing a set of topics that you would like to write about.
You may opt to consult a list of explanatory essay topics online for inspiration (or just do it here!).
If you are a college student, you may find a topic related to your course or a field of study.
Look for relevant social or environmental topics in your local community. Seek for the issues that worry your friends and people in your local area.

Note: Always consider your target audience too! Here are some important reminders to take note of:

Don’t forget to consult your teacher’s essay prompt for more details.
Study the prompt carefully to determine the purpose of your explanatory essay.
Remember to ask your teacher or a college professor about format requirements and the word count in case something is not clear.

3 Research for Potential Sources!

Do not solely rely on the information that you may find online! You should also consider visiting your campus library for help and inspiration. Explore and look for the references on EbscoHost if your school or college have access to it!

When looking for the credible sources for your explanatory essay, remember to use:

Journal articles and academic journal portals
The government, school, or company websites
Official websites of non-government organizations/international organizations
Relevant News articles

Depending on the length of your expository essay, you might need to gather, (and read!) as many sources as you can for your topic to be backed up with information and the evidence. Get ready to be overloaded with information! Most importantly, don’t forget to take helpful notes down or highlight any important information as you read through the sources!

Take note: Do not cut corners and read actively! Avoid skimming through your references!

4 Work with An Outline!

I’m sure you have your notes prepared by now. Hence, you are welcome to draft your outline and construct an interim thesis statement.

Explanatory Essay Writing Template

Writing the Introduction:

Begin your introductory paragraph with an engaging hook . It can be an interesting fact or data.
You should also contextualize your topic in the said paragraph (Ex: Date, author’s name, summary, etc.). This is to help your reader understand your essay!
Narrow your introduction down to a thesis statement. A thesis statement is the main claim in your expository essay. Ideally, it should be one to two sentences long.
Avoid using the pronoun “I” in your essay unless your teacher permits you. Generally, your article should be written in a third-person.

Writing the Body:

Explanatory essays typically consist of five body paragraphs. Nevertheless, it is to best to follow the requirements stated in the prompt.
Be sure to include supporting evidence when writing the details of your paper. Don’t forget to cite with the parenthetical citations. Keep in mind to abide by your teacher’s chosen citation and formatting style.
You may embed direct quotations in your explanatory essay, but you have to cite and format them properly. Direct quotes should not exceed 10% of the word count . However, this percentage may vary from instructor to instructor.
Avoid cramming information in one paragraph! Ideally, you should dedicate at least one paragraph per theme/topic.
Use transition words and topic sentences! They help a lot!

Writing the Conclusion:

Reassert your thesis statement. Your re-stated thesis in the conclusion should not necessarily be a direct copy of the thesis in the introduction.
Summarize the main points of your explanatory essay. No new information should be added to the concluding paragraph!
You may want to write a call to action or a brief insight into your topic to conclude your essay.

Edit and Proofread!

Proofread and edit your explanatory essay for grammatical and mechanical errors.
Make sure that your references/works cited page are formatted properly. Information such as the author’s name and the publishing date should be correct.
Restructure or rephrase any unclear statements in your essay.

When Nothing Works

We all have been through the times when we have to work and study at the same time and the levels of stress and anxiety make it barely possible to finish the task. Just when you need a bit of professional guidance and homework help, our team of professionals in your academic field will happily help you through your assignment by breaking down all of these brain blocks and the mental barriers. It is perfectly fine to ask for help with your task and save your time and the grades. Tell us of your task, fill in the simple form and let us help you do the rest! Never forget that you can always get help here!

I wish you good luck with your academic endeavors and hope you get the best grades! See you next time!

61 General Expository Essay Topic Ideas to Practice Academic Writing

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Expository essays discuss topics by using facts rather than opinions, requiring students to evaluate and investigate while setting forth their arguments clearly and concisely. Teachers often include expository essays as part of assessments , especially in college-level courses, so students can help themselves succeed by practicing writing these types of essays. When teachers are integrating writing throughout the curriculum, students can use expository essays to demonstrate what they've learned in other courses.

Sample Expository Essay Topics From Students

Tenth-graders wrote the following general expository essay topics. Students can practice writing these topics or use the list to come up with topics of their own. The important thing to remember is that these expository essays are based on facts rather than the writer's beliefs or feelings.

Explain why you admire a particular person.
Explain why someone you know should be regarded as a leader.
Explain why parents are sometimes strict.
If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?
Explain why you especially enjoy a particular teacher.
Explain why some cities have curfews for teens.
Explain why some students are forced to leave school once they are sixteen.
Explain how moving from place to place affects teens.
Explain why getting a driver's license is an important event in the lives of many teenagers.
Describe the major stressors in teens' lives.
Explain why you like or don't like working in a team.
Describe some nonmaterial things that make you happy.
Explain why some teens commit suicide.
Explain how music affects your life.
Explain the impact of different music genres on society.
Explain why students listen to a particular type of music.
Explain why some teens skip school.
Explain the likely consequences of skipping school.
Describe the likely consequences of doing poorly in school.
Explain why teens do drugs.
Describe the likely consequences of selling drugs.
Describe the likely consequences of taking drugs.
Explain why teens smoke cigarettes .
Explain the likely consequences of being kicked out of school.
Explain the likely consequences of skipping classes.
Explain the likely consequences of brothers and sisters constantly fighting.
Explain why teens wear makeup.
Explain the consequences of having alcohol on the school campus.
Explain the likely consequences of being sexually active without using protection.
Explain why some teens' parents do not like to be alone with their child's boyfriend or girlfriend.
Explain the likely consequences of increasing the time between classes from five to 15 minutes.
Explain why some teens join gangs.
Explain the difficulties some teens have once they are in gangs.
Explain how life for a teenager changes once she has a baby.
Describe what you feel a boy should do if he finds out his girlfriend is pregnant.
Explain why you should or should not laugh at embarrassing moments.
Describe the effects of marijuana.
Explain the likely consequences of teens becoming sexually active.
Explain why it is helpful to organize your materials and activities.
Explain why your schoolwork is important.
Describe the ways you help out at home.
Explain the likely consequences of abolishing capital punishment.
Explain the consequences of adopting a pass/fail grading system.
Explain the likely consequences of enforcing an 11:00 p.m. curfew.
Explain the likely consequences of ending forced busing.
Explain why some teenagers dislike saying the pledge to the flag.
Explain why some schools don't have open lunch policies.
Explain why most teenagers are materialistic.
Explain why some teens get jobs.
Explain the consequences of having a job while in high school.
Explain the likely consequences of dropping out of school.
Describe some productive ways students can spend their leisure time.
Explain why dealing with their parents' divorce can be difficult for many teens.
Explain why teens love their parents even when family situations are difficult.
Describe the things that bring you the greatest happiness.
Describe three things you would like to change the world and explain why you would change them.
Explain why you prefer living in an apartment (or house).
Describe the likely consequences of requiring a childbearing license.
Describe three objects that symbolize our culture and explain why you selected them.
Explain why you are interested in a particular career.
Explain the likely consequences of requiring students to wear school uniforms.
Expository Essay Genre With Suggested Prompts
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Understanding What an Expository Essay Is
25 Essay Topics for American Government Classes
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30 Writing Topics: Persuasion
50 Argumentative Essay Topics
Personal Essay Topics
How to Teach Topic Sentences Using Models
Bad Essay Topics for College Admissions
How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements
How to Write an Outstanding College Application Essay
50 Great Topics for a Process Analysis Essay
What Is Expository Writing?
Tips for the 8 University of California Personal Insight Questions
Composition Type: Problem-Solution Essays

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15 Engaging Explanatory Writing Prompts

When you want your students to practice explanatory writing, present them with one or more of the following prompts, grouped by difficulty. You can also introduce students to the PAST strategy to help them understand what each explanatory prompt is asking them to do.

Beginning Explanatory Prompts (Grades 4–5)

The following explanatory prompts are meant for students who are moving from paragraph writing to essay writing.

1. Defining Friendship

Everyone needs friends. What qualities make someone a good friend? How can you be a friend for someone who needs one? Write an essay that explains ways to be a good friend.

2. A Job for Me

People do all kinds of jobs. Some people build. Others serve. Some teach. Others sell. Some people work on ships at sea, and others in skyscrapers in cities. What kind of job would you like to do? As a future worker, write an essay that names a job you would like, describes the work, and tells why you would like it.

3. An Admirable Person

We all have people we admire. They might be family members or friends. They might be singers, dancers, or actors. They might even be fictional characters. Whom do you admire most? Write an essay that names a person you admire and describes the qualities that make you like the person.

4. Sweet or Spicy?

Most people have a favorite food. What is yours? Is the food a common one that most other kids would know about, or a really special type? Is it sweet or spicy? In an essay, name your favorite food and describe to your classmates how it looks, smells, and tastes. Tell why you like it so much.

5. My Ideal Home

Most people can imagine a dream home. What would yours be? Big or small? In the country or in the city? How many floors? Would it be underground or up in a tree? As a young person, write an essay describing your dream home to a parent or guardian.

Intermediate Explanatory Prompts (Grades 6–8)

The following explanatory prompts are meant for students who do regular multi-paragraph writing.

6. Connectivity Culture

Smartphones, tablet PCs, social media, and constant connectivity are changing the ways that people live, think, work, and connect. How do these technologies shape your life? Are you plugged in or tuned out? Why? Write an essay that explains to your fellow students the ways that you connect digitally and predicts how people will connect in the future.

7. Pets vs. People

Pets are not people. After all, dogs don’t go to school and cats don’t hold down jobs. But pet owners often consider their dogs and cats to be members of their families. In what ways are pets like people and in what ways are they not? Write a comparison-contrast essay explaining the similarities and differences between pets and people.

8. Defining Responsibility

A parent is responsible for taking care of children. A criminal is responsible for committing a crime. And teens are encouraged to make responsible choices. Just what does it mean to be “responsible”? Does it mean something different for young people than for adults? As a young person who is taking on more and more responsibilities, write an essay that defines what responsibility means to you, and explain the idea to those older than you.

9. Unique Celebrations

The Chinese celebrate New Year with a dragon dance. How do you celebrate New Year? What other special days do you observe? In an essay, explain a celebration or ritual that you know about. Tell what is usually done and why. Explain it to a reader who is new to the event.

10. Here's How It's Done

What are you really good at? Perhaps you can sink a free throw every time. Maybe you can identify birds by their songs, or make a very delicious homemade pizza. Think of a particular skill you have and could teach others. Then write an essay describing the process you use to accomplish this special feat. Provide enough detail so your reader can learn how to do the same thing.

Advanced Explanatory Prompts (Grades 9–12)

The following prompts are meant for high-school level writers. Students may need to research the topics in order to respond with sufficient depth and complexity.

11. Addressing Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying involves using technology to harm, intimidate, and embarrass others. One form of cyberbullying called “trolling” occurs when anonymous Internet users intentionally post inflammatory content in an attempt to provoke and upset other users. While much effort has been made to counteract bullying in schools, the online and anonymous nature of cyberbullying makes it difficult to regulate. Write an essay that explains to your fellow students ways to counteract cyberbullying.

12. Moral Dilemmas

Consider a moral dilemma that a character in a novel or other piece of literature must face. It could be an issue you yourself have faced or one that is new to you. Explain what you would do if you were caught in the same situation. Then explain why you would handle it that way.

13. Talking About My Generation

Today’s youth are sometimes perceived as tech savvy, optimistic, and accepting. Other times, they are perceived as spoiled, coddled, and lazy, more interested in checking Instagram than in bearing down and working hard. In an essay, define the general characteristics of your generation. Provide evidence and reasons to support your definition.

14. Fashionable Expressions

Author Sarah MacLean believes “The most confident of women are those who believe in every scrap of fabric they wear.” Indeed, clothing is a form of self-expression for many people. Evaluate the clothing choices that you or someone else (famous or not) makes and explain what these fashion choices express about the person.

15. Comparing Future Career Paths

What do you want to do after you graduate from high school? Attend college? Hone your skills at a trade school? Or go straight into the professional world? Choose two options (college, trade school, job) and write an essay in which you analyze similarities and differences between the two options.

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Explanatory Essay Writing Guide

Before writing any type of assignment, you must understand its definition. For example, students who need to write an argumentative essay should understand its purpose, format, and how it differs from other kinds of papers. The following approach can be applied to any other type of academic writing, including an explanatory essay.

In this article, our write my essay for me service professionals will try to explain what an explanatory essay is, its primary goal, and key features. Even though many people think that there is nothing more simple than writing an explanatory essay, for most students, it can still be a challenge to distinguish explanatory paper from other types of essays.

If you study for example in one of the best colleges for astrophysics need to write an explanatory essay, we highly recommend you read this article till the end. Guidelines outlined in our manual will help you gain new knowledge and enhance your writing skills. Designing explanatory essay will become an easy task for you once you put recommendations from our professional paper writing service into practice.

What is an Explanatory Essay?

An explanatory essay is a type of academic paper in which the author presents some point of view or opinion on a particular topic, subject, event or situation. It’s worth noting that explanatory essay is also known as expository essay.

When completing this kind of assignment you shouldn’t necessarily agree with the point of view you are writing about. Your goal is to report a certain event or situation and offer an analysis of a given subject. Try to present information or arguments of other people impartially. It’s also essential that you do not include any form of criticism in your explanatory essay. You shouldn’t argue or persuade while giving explanations. Let readers make their conclusions rather than persuading them to agree or disagree with the given point of view.

Explanatory essay is all about presenting a neutral view on the set topic by providing analysis from research. Its primary goal is to present a lucid explanation as to why things happened the way they did. After reading your essay, the audience should have a clear understanding of your point of view, even if they don’t pick your side.

Usually, the author of the explanatory essay decides upon a set topic and then approaches the issue from a specific angle. In most cases, this angle is complicated and gives room for discussion. The author presents a point of view of his or her choice that fairly explains why a certain outcome was reached.

Explanatory Essay Topics

In most cases, explanatory essay topics are pre-assigned to students by their teachers or college professors. For instance, you can be asked to explain how your brain works or outline the events that led to the 2008 financial crisis.

If you are asked to select the essay topic by yourself, remember that explanatory papers are based on facts. That’s why our custom essay writing professionals recommend that you choose a neutral topic that can be easily explained. The idea here is that the more controversial the topic, the more points of view you will need to explore in your essay, making it more complicated and time-consuming. Fortunately, we can explain almost everything as long as it falls within the parameters of the given assignment. Here are a couple of explanatory essay topics created by our paper topic generator you can choose from:

Beginner Explanatory Essay Topics

Describe the day you came to school for the first time. How did it make you feel?
What qualities do you believe make someone a good friend?
Explain what makes dogs the best pet for a person.
Who is your favorite superhero or movie/book character? Why?
Describe your dream home.
Who is that person you admire and look up to the most?
Define what happiness means to you.
Who is your favorite teacher?
Tell what kind of food you love most and explain why you love it.
What kind of job do you think will suit you the most?

Intermediate Explanatory Essay Topics

What is the best lesson that parents can teach their kids?
Describe your favorite kind of sport.
What unique traditions does your family have?
Tell about something you are really good at and could teach it to others.
Does the word “responsibility” mean the same thing for adults and children?
Describe what you believe makes a person truly rich.
What is your favorite place on the planet?
Explain how someone you know (a friend, teacher, parent) helped you become a better person.
What is the school subject you enjoy the most?
Describe how having a sibling can affect one’s personality.

Advanced Explanatory Essay Topics

Explain one of the forms of cyberbullying and suggest ways to address it.
Do you believe animals can really feel your fear?
Describe a moral dilemma you have faced. How did you handle it?
Do you believe in UFOs and aliens? Explain your point of view.
Explain how your personality has changed as you were growing up.
How can we measure happiness?
Define your generation. What makes it different from other generations?
Explain how you understand the universe.
How do you imagine your perfect future?
Describe your first work experience ever. What did it teach you, and how did you handle it?

College Level Explanatory Essay Topics

Define the positive and harmful effects the Internet has on a human personality and life.
What real-life lessons do you wish you’d learn 5 years ago?
Tell about someone who has authority in your eyes and explain why.
Do you think expressing the whole spectrum of emotions is better than suppressing them?
Explain what experience was the most life-changing for you.
How to cope with financial difficulties?
Explain the benefits of social networks for modern students.
What makes a person generous?
Describe the technological advancement that took place over the last decade.
Define what difference you see between “living” and “existing”.

Explanatory Essay Format

The typical format for an explanatory paper is the traditional 5-paragraph essay. Usually, this includes an introduction, three body paragraphs (limited to one subtopic each), and a conclusion. This is a basic essay format.

Keep in mind that the explanatory writing doesn’t need to be limited to five paragraphs — you can make it longer. No matter how many paragraphs you decide to include in your essay, be sure that your introduction includes a powerful thesis statement. Also, double-check if the paper is based on facts rather than personal opinion. Last but not least: make sure to connect paragraphs with transitions.

Explanatory Essay Outline

In simple terms, an explanatory essay outline is a plan for your explanatory paper. Usually, it varies based on the length of the topic and the information the author is trying to present. The goal of the outline is to organize the main points into paragraphs — it offers a so-called framework of how to write an explanatory essay. As it was mentioned in the paragraph above, most explanatory essays follow the basic essay structure. They consist of:

Introduction;
Body paragraphs;
Conclusion.

Most explanatory essays tend to be a page or two in length. That's why the overall essay is usually around 5 paragraphs long. Remember that your introduction should present the topic to the audience. Also, it’s vital that you incorporate the thesis statement in the last paragraph. After you are done with it, try to develop the body paragraphs with the information detailed in the thesis statement. Finally, include a conclusion that summarizes your essay's key points after the restatement of the thesis. As you can see, creating an explanatory essay outline is not that difficult as it may seem at first glance. And now let’s dig deeper into the definition of the explanatory essay thesis.

Thesis Statement

When talking about a thesis statement, most people usually mean one or two sentences that summarize the main idea of their academic paper and clearly express what it is they are going to say about the given topic. Overall, your thesis statement identifies what topic will be discussed and the purpose of your essay. As the explanatory essay is tailored to explain or acquaint your readers with something, the goal of the explanatory thesis is to tell readers what it is you are going to explain and what aspects of the topic will be considered.

Introduction

Before you start writing your explanatory essay, there are some crucial tips to follow. The first recommendation is to carry out proper research and data collection. Explanatory essay authors should ensure that the information in their writing is a blend of personal views and ideas acquired from external sources. Explanatory essay relies heavily on solid research, focus on finding external sources that will supplement your personal opinion. Note down all the important information from those sources and use them as evidence in your essay. So, the first thing you should do is find multiple trusted sources that defend your thoughts. We suggest you look to online journals, historical dictionaries, or find relevant books in your college library to use them as trusted sources.

After collecting all the needed information, the next step is to develop a clear explanatory thesis. A concise thesis will make it easier for readers to understand the essence of the topic from a summarized point of view. In other words, explain what you will be showing to your audience. Be neutral — you are not arguing or criticizing, just stating facts. Remember, you are not supposed to take any side as that causes a loss in the outlook of an explanatory essay.

Another recommendation is to choose a neutral topic you'd like to explain. If your teacher or professor didn’t give you a specific topic, select the one that will be understandable for you. Just choose such a topic that is in line with your assignment.

Once you’ve chosen a suitable topic, it’s time to draft an outline of your explanatory essay. The best option here is to stick to five paragraphs that were mentioned above: draft an introduction, three main body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The outline helps students ensure that they follow a logical pattern to detail all their trains of thought. After completing all of the above steps - review your material and start writing your explanatory paper.

Each explanatory paper should start with an introduction. Try to capture your audience’s attention. No matter how you decide to do that - it may be a quote, rhetorical question, catchy motto, or anecdote. Feel free to improvise and use your imagination. Picking a hook thesis statement is also important. After presenting a thesis statement, include any necessary information that gives a background of the topic. The last sentence of your introduction should integrate a thesis statement to give a preview of the content in the body paragraphs.

Body Paragraphs

No matter how many paragraphs you decide to include in your explanatory essay, they all should follow a similar style. They all should be in-line with each other and maintain a certain flow in the paragraphs. Within each paragraph, you are to include a claim that is linked to the thesis statement. This way, it will be easier to connect all the points.

Try to support your claims with evidence from external sources. Make your readers feel confident about the information you present to them. Don’t forget to integrate a concluding statement that offers a summary of the claim's significance. Concluding statement should go along with the thesis statement. In simple terms, all body paragraphs in your explanatory paper should follow this format.

Conclusion Of Explanatory Essay

The explanatory essay must have a proper conclusion. When finishing your explanatory paper, follow these recommendations:

Restate your thesis. This way you will bring your readers’ attention back to the main point as well as add strength to your presented point of view.
Summarize your supporting points presented in each of the body paragraphs accordingly. Restate the importance of each one. This way you will logically defend your explanatory thesis.
Provide an overall concluding statement. In other words, explain the value of the particular point of view chosen from a global perspective. Your goal here is to captivate your readers to study the subject further on.

How to Write an Explanatory Essay - Writing Tips

Some useful tips will help you write an excellent explanatory essay. Here are some of the most powerful ones:

Take advantage of transitions and linking words

While connecting all your body paragraphs, use transition words and sentences. They will make your explanatory paper flow more smoothly. Some of the words you can use to connect your sentences are:

For instance;
In comparison;
Firstly, secondly, thirdly;
On the other hand;
In conclusion, to summarise.

Cite your sources

This one is an absolute requirement when writing an explanatory essay. You better try hard in this area. A successful explanatory essay will be factual and contain verifiable information. Cite your sources and make it easy for the audience to check where you drew your facts.

Revise your essay

After completing your explanatory paper, it’s always a good tip to revise it a couple of times. To make your revision phase more effective we advise you to answer the following questions:

Does the essay give an objective analysis that unfolds logically? Did I use relevant facts and examples in your essay?
Has the information in my paper been communicated to the audience? Is the word choice precise?
Did I use transitions and linking words in the essay to help the reader’s understanding?
Does the concluding paragraph communicate the value and meaning of the thesis statement and supporting ideas?

Edit your essay

Double-check your paper for different of mistakes and typos. When proofreading your paper, make sure that nobody distracts you. It would be perfect if you revise and proofread your essay in silence. If you notice any kinds of errors - edit your paper to improve both style and clarity. Even though your essay should be clear and concise, also think on how to make it engaging and lively as well.

Share your essay with a close person

Showing your essay to your parent, friend or other readers can be both useful and exciting. They can give you their opinion on what should be changed. They can also notice some grammar or punctual mistakes you missed while writing the essay. Overall, it always good to use the feedback to make your essay even better.

Explanatory Essay Example

Read the following essay sample to understand this type of essay better. If you need more examples, don’t hesitate to buy essay samples from our website.

What are the benefits of social networks for modern students?

According to the World Health Organization, people spend around 6 years and 8 months on various social media in their lifetime. These numbers are both impressive and terrifying. Given that the average lifespan across the world is 72 years, in 2020, the time spent on social networks makes up almost 10% of our entire life. And these figures keep changing and hitting higher points every year. Unsurprisingly, students are the largest group of active social network users. There always have been plenty of controversies concerning this matter. But, there is a belief that social media can actually have quite a few benefits for them.

One of the most obvious benefits of social media is that it keeps people connected. Clearly, many modern students are using these channels to make connections and communicate with their peers. Also, though it may not sound like too big of a deal, it can have a very positive effect on their lives in college. A recent study has shown that social media can play an integral role in the process of adjustment to college. The research found that student-centered networks can provide first-year students with so-needed support and help them adapt to the new environment faster, easier, and more effectively.

Another benefit of social networks for students is that such channels can boost students’ overall literacy and reading skills. Various literacy studies confirm that the general level of literacy and reading skills among younger generations is dropping. The biggest issue behind that is the fact that young people almost never pick up a book when they are outside of the class. They are just no longer interested in books as they make them bored. However, this does not mean that students don’t read at all. In fact, they do. It’s just that they are more inclined to read the information provided in smaller chunks and, preferably, containing some eye-catching animations, videos, or images. In other words, they are much more interested in reading publications on blogs, websites, and, of course, social networks. Keeping all that in mind, it shouldn’t surprise you that, according to the National Literacy Trust, social networks really can (and already do) help modern students enhance their reading skills and overall literacy.

Finally, the last significant benefit of social media is the accessibility of education. Such channels have provided us with plenty of opportunities for distance learning. The global quarantine has shown us that the effectiveness of distance learning can equal the effectiveness of traditional learning. But only if we integrate the right tools in the process. Among such tools are various social network channels. Numerous researches have found that social media can bring extra value in terms of education. It enables students to search for information, collaborate, and stay engaged and motivated through the learning process. Also, such channels make education more accessible. They can have a practical use in creating the right conditions for efficient distance learning. At the same time, they also streamline both learning and teaching processes and help deliver better results.

Based on what has been discussed earlier, we can conclude that social networks do have a number of weighty benefits for modern students. Such channels encourage continuous learning, create new opportunities for distance learning, boost students’ levels of literacy and skills, and also serve as great tools for communication and support. We can’t deny the fact that social media is invading our lives at a rapid pace, so the only thing we can do is to adapt to this and start making the most of it.

We hope we managed to explain how to write a great explanatory essay. Now you know how this type of academic paper differs from other essays and what writing style and topic to choose when preparing such kind of assignment.

We sincerely hope that the tips outlined in our guide will help you enhance your writing and get better grades. However, if you have difficulties with completing this kind of assignment, our team of professional writers is always ready to help you draft a top-notch explanatory essay from scratch. All you need to do is order an essay you need. In addition to helping you create a great informative essay , we can also help you with other types of assignments, such as coursework, dissertation writing, or research paper. If you experience any kind of difficulties writing an explanatory essay — welcome to our first-class service!

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Expository Essay Writing

Expository Essay Topics

Good Expository Essay Topics to Impress Everyone

Published on: Apr 30, 2020

Last updated on: Feb 24, 2024

How to Choose an Expository Essay Topic?

The importance of an interesting essay topic can not be overlooked. While reading an essay, it is the first thing that a reader comes across. With this, they would decide whether to continue reading or not.

Deciding on the topic for your writing piece can be challenging. Students often find themselves with writerâs block and cannot think of creative ideas for their essays.

Follow the steps given below to come up with an engaging expository essay topic.

Brainstorm ideas and make a list - Brainstorming is a great way to come up with a topic. Make a list of all the ideas that interest you and your audience. At this point, you do not have to gather only good ideas.
Evaluate the topic - After preparing a list of ideas, analyze which topic is appropriate. For writing an expository essay, make sure that the topic you choose can be explained in detail.
Narrow down the topicâs focus - Once you have chosen a topic, focus on specific aspects. Broad topics will make it difficult for the writer to explain and support the argument.
Check for sources - The last but most important step is to check for credible sources of information for your selected topic. Here, the writer needs strong supporting evidence to explain the topic in detail.

Expository Essay Topics for Students

Have a look at the following list of topics for expository essays to get a better idea.

Expository Essay Topics for Middle School

Explain your first experience in the school?
Describe your perfect place for vacations.
Explain your experience of studying online.
Describe the consequences of Covid-19 on studies.
Explain what influences families have on the personality of an individual?
Describe what productive hobbies a middle school student should have?
Describe the qualities of a good instructor.
Explain how role models can help you become a better person?
Describe the advantages of having a pet in the house.
Describe the meaning of true love.

Expository Essay Topics for Grade 7

Explain why wearing uniforms can be beneficial for students?
Talk about the things you want to change in the world, and why?
Explain why some girls like wearing makeup in school?
Describe how important it is for the children to spend time with their parents?
Explain the impact of smoking cigarettes on teenâs health.
Describe how a person can stay fit and healthy.
Explain how important it is to have a balanced diet?
Distant learning vs. traditional learning? Which is better?
Explain why students should not be given homework?
Explain how the education quality in public and private schools differs?

Expository Essay Topics for Grade 8

Explain the theme of your favorite book.
Explain how a seed becomes a plant?
Explain why we should not consume processed foods?
Explain the effects of social media platforms on our lives.
Describe the effects of pollution on marine life.
Explain how to keep oral hygiene?
Why is being immortal a good thing?
Using strong evidence, explain how to identify if someone is lying?
Explain the things and habits that affect your memory?
Describe the consequences of getting bad grades on academics.

Expository Essay Topics for High School

Explain gunpowder invention.
Describe the French Revolution.
Discuss the causes and effects of the Vietnam War.
How Jazz music affects our brain?
Explain what characteristics make a person famous?
Explain a particular psychological disorder.
How different is it to connect with people online and in person?
Explain how science helps people live a better life?
Explain the pros and cons of artificial intelligence.
Explain the invention of an object of your choice.

Expository Essay Topics for College

Pick a planet and explain what it would be like to live there?
Explain what you want to invent for the world?
Explain how a particular lifestyle or dieting pattern affects the environment?
Explain life in 25 years and the technological advancements that will take over.
Explain why teachers should be available for students after school hours as well?
Explain why there should be some restrictions on the use of social media for teenagers?
Describe why an employee should be a good team player?
Describe the consequences of selling drugs on campus.
Explain why constant fighting between siblings can be alarming?
Explain why the gang culture is spreading drastically?

Expository Essay Topics on Social Issues

Describe the importance of learning social values.
Describe how gun control laws can influence peopleâs lives?
How do the needs of people change with time?
Explain how to help the homeless and prevent homelessness?
Describe a social work you took part in, and how did it make a difference?
Explain how obesity socially affects people and their thinking?
Explain one social issue that largely prevails in your country.
Describe how peopleâs attitudes towards mental illnesses have changed during a decade?
Have parenting roles changed over time? Explain how?
Explain what can be the possible ways to control pollution.

Expository Essay Topics on Health

Describe how dieting for weight loss can be dangerous for health?
Explain why late-night munching is harmful?
What are the causes and effects of obesity?
How is fast food harmful to mental health?
Explain how eating disorders result in disturbed sleeping patterns?
Explain how AIDS and poverty are related?
Explain how a healthy body impacts an IQ level of a person?
How important is the environment for the stability of mental health?
Explain what diet a student should have?
What are the causes and effects of malnutrition?

Expository Essay Topics about Education

Discuss the causes and effects of teaching techniques on learning.
What are the causes and effects of teaching sex education in schools?
Explain how can our education systems are modified?
What is the significance of homeschooling?
Explain why students should be given the liberty to choose their subjects in school?
Should college scholarships be granted based on sports performances?
Explain why higher education is important for a successful career?
Explain how can the quality of education can be improved??
Explain why students should be taught foreign languages in schools?
Describe the qualities of a good teacher.

Expository essay writing can be challenging if your knowledge about the topic is limited. It is important to know that while writing such college papers, a writer has to share his point of view. Only stating the facts will be monotonous for the readers.

Also, keep in mind to follow a defined structure for the content. Moreover, the traditional essay outline of an introduction, body, and conclusion should be included in the document.

The introduction paragraph should be well written and provides a defined thesis statement. Then comes the body paragraphs that present all the explanations and descriptions of the topic. However, make sure to keep the body of your essay informative and organized.

Conclude your essay with strong closing lines to leave a lasting impression on the readers.

If the expository writings give you a hard time, get help from the professionals. They will help you by providing great comparison and contrast along expository essay ideas to score well.

CollegeEssay.org is a custom essay service that provides reliable essay help for your college essay and paper.

Furthermore, our essay writer will help you come up with great topic ideas and provide you with written assignments.

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Many students aren't familiar with exploratory essay topics, but that's about to change. In this blog, we're going to shed some light on what exploratory topics are and how to select the right one for your paper. We're providing an extensive list of unique topics, sorted by various disciplines and categories. So, get ready to discover an array of interesting, thought-provoking topics for exploratory essays that can give your writing a new edge.

What Are Exploratory Essay Topics?

So, what exactly are exploratory essay topics? They're a different beast altogether. Unlike argumentative essay ideas , which require a stance, or opinion essay topics , where personal views take center stage, exploratory essay topics are more about telling about an issue from different perspectives.

Here's the gist: instead of taking sides, you explore a topic more deeply and objectively. The aim is to uncover different angles that make up your subject matter, and explain why they are all important. In this respect, exploratory paper topics are very similar to expository essay topics .

Now that you understand exactly what exploratory essay topics are, you may be wondering how to select the right one. The key is to pick a topic that interests you and can help you develop your own unique approach.

Still, picking a perfect topic for an exploratory essay yourself might seem like a tough job. But don't worry, we’re going to share helpful guidelines from our essay writer team on how to handle this task:

Kickstart your research It's a good idea to start your research right away. This will help you get an idea of what potential topics are out there and bring up some new ideas that may have gone unnoticed earlier. Don’t forget to make notes as you go, so that you have something to refer back to.
Brainstorm Gather your thoughts and jot down topics that spark your interest. A good old brainstorming session can really help you narrow down your list.
Weigh your options Now it's time to look at your options. Which one really stands out? Which one fires up your curiosity?
Focus on unique angles When you're zeroing in on a topic for your exploratory essay, keep an eye out for those unique, less-explored angles. A fresh take can really make your essay pop.
Be specific Avoid going too broad. Find something specific that you can dig into in detail. This helps you craft a more focused and insightful essay.

Now that you know the basics, it's time to take a look at some of our top exploratory essay ideas. Keep reading for more!

Good Exploratory Essay Topics

If you're still on the lookout for more exciting exploratory essay topics, you're at the right place. This round, we're bringing you a brand-new selection of ideas that span a range of fascinating domains.

Genetically modified foods and health implications.
Autonomous cars and road safety.
E-sports and its rise to mainstream popularity.
Telemedicine and patient care during pandemics.
Dark matter mysteries in space science.
Human rights in the digital age.
Biohacking for life optimization.
Virtual reality in education.
Urban farming and food sustainability.
Emotional intelligence in leadership.
Legalization of marijuana and societal consequences.
Blockchain beyond cryptocurrency.
Immersive journalism and public opinion.
Climate refugees and global responsibility.
Animal-assisted therapy in healthcare.

Easy Exploratory Essay Topics

Don't be fooled by the term "easy" – these topics might require less technical knowledge, but they offer ample room for exploration. If you're looking for straightforward topics for exploratory essays that still keep your readers hooked, this list is for you.

Podcasts shaping modern storytelling.
Laughter as a stress relief tool.
Impact of reality TV on societal values.
Fast fashion and its environmental cost.
Music genres and cultural identity.
Plant-based diets and lifestyle changes.
Online privacy in social networking sites.
Video games and cognitive development.
Minimalism as a lifestyle trend.
Role models in modern society.
Yoga's contribution to mental well-being.
Influencer marketing and consumer behavior.
Pet adoption versus buying.
Learning languages through immersion.
Volunteer tourism and ethical considerations.

Interesting Exploratory Essay Topics

If you're a student who loves to investigate, then these exploratory essay topics are just what you need. Dive deep into some truly fascinating issues with our selection of interesting exploratory essay ideas!

Quantum physics and its impact on technology.
Riddles and paradoxes that defy logic.
Alien life possibilities in the universe.
Technological singularity and its implications.
Emergence of cryptocurrency as a new economic system.
Graffiti as a form of social commentary.
Drone technology in disaster management.
Immortality through genetic engineering.
Conspiracy theories and their appeal.
Bioinformatics and personalized medicine.
Cryptids: Fact or fiction?
Lucid dreaming and subconscious exploration.
3D printing in organ transplantation.
Mysterious disappearances throughout history.
Artificial Intelligence and creativity.

Controversial Topics for Exploratory Essays

These controversial exploratory paper topic ideas are sure to ignite passionate discussions. Perfect for an exploratory essay, they allow you to delve into various viewpoints around sensitive issues.

Legalization of euthanasia: Right or wrong?
Internet censorship: Protection or infringement?
Universal Basic Income: Solution or setback?
Genetically modified babies: Ethical implications.
Surveillance vs privacy in the digital age.
Human cloning : Moral dilemmas.
Capital punishment and its global perspectives.
Gun control laws: Safety or restriction?
Mandatory vaccinations: Public health or personal choice?
Artificial Intelligence: Progress or peril?
Animal testing in medical research.
Climate change: Myth or reality?
Free speech: Unrestricted or limited?
Gender-neutral parenting : Progressive or confusing?
Self-driving cars: Safer roads or job loss?

Exploratory Essay Ideas for Students

Ready for a deep dive into exploratory essay ideas? No matter your academic level or field of interest, we've got you covered. Below, you'll find a diverse set of good topics for exploratory essays meticulously organized by different levels to cater to every student's needs.

Exploratory Essay Topics for High School Students

Looking for topics that align with your high school curriculum and beyond? Give these exploratory essay topic ideas a try!

Social media and its impact on mental health.
Vegan lifestyle: Health benefits and challenges.
Climate change: Understanding the global impact.
Stereotypes in mainstream media.
Renewable energy : Prospects for the future.
The allure of dystopian literature.
The relevance of history in modern times.
Impact of digital learning on education.
Cyberbullying: An online menace.
Space travel: A possibility for future generations?
Robotics and its future implications.
The evolution of computer languages.
Understanding the Middle East conflict.
Modern art: Innovation or mere abstraction?
The psychology behind procrastination.

Exploratory Essay Topics for College Students

Get ready for more in-depth exploratory essay topics. Perfect for college students, these intriguing ideas will help you get an A+ on your next paper!

Bioethical issues surrounding genetic engineering.
Impact of globalization on local cultures.
Feminism : Evolution and contemporary relevance.
Neural networks and the future of AI.
Virtual reality and its potential societal implications.
Investigating the roots of social inequality.
Dissecting the gig economy: A sustainable future?
Nuclear energy : Solution to the energy crisis or ticking time bomb?
The efficacy of psychotherapy in mental health.
Cryptocurrencies and the future of finance.
Environmental sustainability: Practical strategies.
The rise and impact of artificial intelligence.
Basics of quantum computing.
The complexity of language and thought.
Consumer behavior in the digital age.

Exploratory Essay Topics by Subject

Taking the leap from general topics to subject-specific ones can greatly enhance your exploratory essay. Each academic discipline has its own unique concepts and themes that warrant exploration. By focusing on a subject that aligns with your area of study, you can delve deeper into the nuances of your chosen field. Below, we have curated a list of exploratory research topics organized by various disciplines.

Exploratory Essay Topics on Technology

Technology is a rapidly evolving field that continuously gives rise to new advancements and discoveries. Explore these technology-related exploratory topics for your next essay.

Progress and prospects in fusion energy.
LiDAR's use in archaeology.
Developments in photovoltaic materials.
Cybersecurity in an interconnected world.
Exploring tidal power as renewable energy.
Role of machine learning in predictive analytics.
Self-healing materials in material science.
Drones in agriculture and environmental conservation.
Virtual reality in mental health therapy.
Rise of quantum computing: challenges and opportunities.
Biometrics in personal identification: Pros and cons.
Smog-eating buildings to combat air pollution.
Impact of automation on employment.
Applications of holography advancements.
Ethical implications of synthetic biology advances.

>> View more: Technology Topics

Business Exploratory Essay Topic Ideas

Business is a broad field, encompassing everything from entrepreneurship to corporate governance. These exploratory topic ideas will allow you to explore various facets of business, shedding light on complex issues and emerging trends in the industry.

Social entrepreneurship and its role in society.
Corporate social responsibility in the modern era.
Agile methodology adoption in project management.
Venture capital's influence on tech startups.
Green businesses: A sustainable future?
Business analytics as a tool for competitive advantage.
The role of digital marketing in business growth.
Strategies for overcoming language barriers in international business.
Remote work culture and its implications.
Startups vs established businesses: A comparative analysis.
The influence of organizational culture on productivity.
Retail apocalypse: Reviving brick and mortar stores.
The changing landscape of international trade.
Business strategies in the era of climate change.
Sustainability reporting in businesses.

>> More ideas: Business Research Topics

Topics for an Exploratory Essay on Economics

Economics is a fascinating field, offering a wealth of topics for exploration. From fiscal policy to the economics of sustainability, the following exploratory research topics delve into key issues and emerging trends in this crucial field.

Navigating economic stabilization through fiscal policy.
Remittances as economic lifelines for developing nations.
Tariffs, trade wars, and their repercussions on global economic steadiness.
Technological innovation as a driver for economic growth.
Gender inequality as an obstacle to economic progress.
Immigration's economic consequences in host countries.
Exploring future prospects for the sharing economy.
Financial literacy: A catalyst for economic prosperity.
Brexit's economic ripples through Europe.
Economic uncertainties in an aging population.
Rise in E-commerce: A challenge for traditional retail businesses.
Balancing environmental conservation with economic costs and benefits.
Microfinance: A strategy for alleviating poverty.
Tourism as an economic pillar in small island developing states.
Interplay between monetary policy, inflation, and unemployment.

>> Learn more: Economics Paper Topics

Exploratory Essay Topics on Education

From traditional learning methods to modern tech-savvy approaches, education has come a long way. Research and uncover the various trends in the field of education with these exploratory essay topics ideas!

Online learning vs traditional classroom learning.
The impact of technology on modern education.
Inclusive education: Benefits and challenges.
Mental health support in schools.
Role of standardized tests in student evaluation.
Holistic education and its importance.
Effect of parental involvement on student achievement.
The influence of class size on quality of education.
Education policies and their impact on rural schools.
Montessori, Waldorf and traditional education: A comparative study.
The importance of arts education in holistic development.
Student motivation and its effect on academic performance.
The role of guidance and counseling in schools.
Teaching ethics and values in schools: Necessity or choice?
Home schooling: Prospects and challenges.

>> View more: Education Research Topics

Exploratory Essay Topics on Literature

Literature offers an open field for exploration. From analyzing specific works and authors to scrutinizing themes across genres, you can examine literature through many lenses. Check out these exploratory essay topics to get started on your literature assignment.

Tragic hero concept in Shakespearean plays.
Feminism and its representation in modern literature.
Romanticism on 19th-century poetry.
Censorship and its influence on literature.
Symbolism in Kafka's "Metamorphosis" .
Racial themes in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" .
Modernism and its effects on 20th-century literature.
Relevance of Greek mythology in today's pop culture.
Satire in "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller .
Dystopian elements in George Orwell's "1984" .
The American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" .
Morality issues in Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" .
Portrayal of society in Jane Austen's novels.
Existentialism in Albert Camus' "The Stranger" .
The evolution of detective stories from Poe to modern authors.

>> More ideas: Topics of Literature

Cultural Exploratory Essay Topic Ideas

Culture is influencing and being influenced by numerous factors. From exploring the depth of cultural traditions to examining the effect of societal changes on culture, there is so much to uncover. Take a look at these topics for exploratory paper and see how diverse this field is.

Pop culture's influence on youth behavior.
The role of cultural heritage in shaping national identity.
Representation of culture in mainstream media.
The cultural implications of immigration.
Cultural dimensions in international business communication.
Language as a vehicle of culture.
Cultural diversity and its role in societal development.
Food culture and its social implications.
The interplay of culture and mental health.
Cultural sensitivity in healthcare delivery.
Cultural assimilation vs cultural preservation.
Cultural influences on fashion trends.
Role of culture in shaping gender norms.
The cultural significance of festivals around the world.

Exploratory Paper Topics on Music and Art

Music and art provide endless opportunities for exploration. They often reflect societal values, historical events, and human emotions. The following exploratory essays topics guide you to explore specific works of art and music, helping you to unearth their underlying themes.

The portrayal of emotion in Edvard Munch's "The Scream" .
Mozart’s Symphony No. 40: A study in musical innovation.
Cubist perspective in Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" .
The influence of Jazz on American culture as reflected in Louis Armstrong's works.
Religious symbolism in Michelangelo's "The Last Judgment" .
Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" and its impact on the 1960s counterculture.
Surreal elements in Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory" .
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 : Exploring its historical significance.
Feminist elements in Frida Kahlo's self-portraits.
The American Dream in Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" .
Horrors of war through Picasso's "Guernica" .
Protest music: A look at Public Enemy's "Fight the Power".
Romantic elements in JMW Turner's "The Fighting Temeraire" .
The influence of blues on modern rock music.
Space and time in MC Escher's "Relativity."

Entertainment Exploratory Essay Topics

Entertainment plays a huge role in modern society, influencing our behavior, views, and values. From popular TV shows to blockbuster movies, various forms of entertainment open up new avenues for exploration. Below are some exploration essay topics that allow you to investigate these influences and trends.

Breaking Bad: A study of character transformation.
Social commentary in The Simpsons.
History in the Broadway musical Hamilton.
AI in the movie Ex Machina.
Reality TV: Impact on societal expectations.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe: A new era of storytelling.
Influence of video games on cognitive development.
Evolution of animated movies: A look at Pixar's journey.
Mental health in Bojack Horseman.
Star Wars: The cultural impact of a sci-fi saga.
Cinematic techniques in Christopher Nolan's Inception.
Race and class in Jordan Peele's Get Out.
Game of Thrones: Power dynamics and political intrigue.
Family dynamics in the sitcom Modern Family.
The impact of streaming services on traditional television.

Exploratory Essay Topics on Sports

Sports is more than just a game. It mirrors society and brings people together. Behind every match, race, and tournament are fascinating stories waiting to be explored. Below are some exploratory essay topics that take you beyond the scores and stats, inviting you to investigate unorthodox aspects.

Inclusivity in Paralympics : An untold story.
Mental strength: Secret weapon of professional tennis players.
Performance impact of nutrition in athletes.
Cultural significance: Football in Brazil.
Emergence and acceptance of esports.
Commercialization impact on modern football.
Psychological pressure on Olympic athletes.
Influential sports personalities and youth inspiration.
Breaking barriers: Women in sports.
Behind rigorous training regimen of marathon runners.
Fostering global unity: FIFA World Cup insights.
Technological advancements changing sports training.
Performance-enhancing drugs: An ethical dilemma in sports.
Cricket evolution: From Test matches to T20.
Societal impact: NFL's 'Take a Knee' protest .

Exploratory Essay Topics on Health

Health is a complex field with numerous dimensions to explore. You may discuss biological aspects of diseases. Alternatively, you can examine societal influences on health. Here are some compelling exploratory essays topics to consider for your next paper:

Vaccine hesitancy: Causes and solutions.
Urban food scarcity and its impact on health.
Emphasizing mental health as part of overall wellness.
Inequities in healthcare : Causes and solutions.
Role of nutrition in preventing chronic diseases.
Ethical considerations in genetic testing.
Connection between climate change and public health.
Public health challenges in refugee camps.
Strategies for combating the opioid crisis.
Advances in Alzheimer's disease research.
Immunization in controlling infectious diseases.
Food deserts and their effect on community health.
Importance of mental health in holistic well-being.
Role of healthcare policies in reducing health disparities.
Strategies for managing stress in college students.

Exploratory Essay Topics About Social Life

Social life is a complex web of relationships, rights, and responsibilities. Unravel the intricacies of this subject with these exploratory essay topics on social life!

Implications of living in a digital age for interpersonal relationships.
Role of hobbies in shaping social circles.
Impact of multiculturalism on local communities.
Social life of the elderly in the 21st century.
Long-term consequences of work-life imbalance.
Effects of urbanization on community living.
Influence of socio-economic status on lifestyle choices.
Role of pets in improving social interactions and mental health.
Impact of environmental activism on community engagement.
Changing dynamics of parent-child relationships in modern societies.
Social stigma associated with mental health issues.
Influence of popular culture on youth identity formation.
Role of sports in fostering social cohesion.
Examination of the "cancel culture" phenomenon.
Role of social networks in career advancement.

>> Read more: Social Science Topics

Psychology Exploratory Essay Topics

Psychology offers a vast array of intriguing concepts and theories that make for excellent exploratory essay topics. From studying the psyche to understanding how human behavior is shaped, you'll be spoilt for choice with our selection below!

Perception process and its role in shaping reality.
Power of subconscious mind in decision-making.
Child development stages and their influence on adult behavior.
Behavioral changes associated with different sleep patterns.
Dunning-Kruger effect and self-assessment accuracy.
Correlation between humor and mental well-being.
Understanding the psychological basis of motivation.
Freud's dream theory in the context of modern psychology.
Role of communication in resolving conflicts.
Factors contributing to the development of personality.
Influence of art therapy on emotional health.
Psychology behind different learning styles.
Triggers and coping mechanisms associated with anxiety disorders.
Implications of peer pressure on adolescent behavior.
Impact of social isolation on mental health.

>> View more: Psychology Paper Topics

Exploratory Essay Topics About World Problems

Our world is filled with diverse challenges that require attention, critical thinking, and solution-oriented approaches. Each topic mentioned below represents a different issue, allowing you to deeply explore various aspects of global problems:

Consequences of ocean acidification on marine life.
Dealing with the problem of digital divide in developing nations.
Nuclear energy: Safety versus sustainability.
Addressing the issue of human trafficking across the globe.
Combatting antibiotic resistance .
Food security and the issue of world hunger.
Microplastics in our oceans.
Solutions to decrease the high rate of youth unemployment worldwide.
Strategies for preserving indigenous rights and cultures.
Consequences of political corruption on societal development.
Overfishing : Causes, impacts, and sustainable solutions.
Confronting the global issue of e-waste management.
Impact of soil erosion on global agricultural practices.
Labor rights in the era of automation and AI.
Issues around human organ trafficking.

Exploratory Essay Questions

Exploratory essay questions encourage in-depth investigation and critical thinking. Here are some interesting exploratory questions that can serve as starting point:

How does social media influence interpersonal relationships and communication?
What are the ethical implications of genetic engineering and human cloning?
In what ways does globalization impact cultural diversity and traditions?
How does technology affect our mental well-being and overall happiness?
What are the underlying causes and potential solutions to income inequality?
How does media portrayal shape public perception of certain social groups?
What are the environmental impacts of human activities and how can they be mitigated?
How does education contribute to social mobility and equal opportunities?
What are the psychological effects of long-term exposure to violence in media?
How does the criminal justice system impact marginalized communities?
How does access to healthcare contribute to social and economic inequalities?
What are the social and economic impacts of mass tourism on local communities?
How does gender inequality manifest in the workplace and society at large?
What are the psychological effects of social isolation and loneliness?
How does media representation influence body image and self-esteem?

Extra Topics for Exploratory Essays

Scroll down and discover a wealth of extra topics for your exploratory essays! These unique and diverse subjects touch upon interpersonal relationships giving you more ideas to investigate.

Exploratory Essay Topics About Family

Are you given to write an essay on family ? Good news! You can discover the intricacies of familial bonds with these exploratory essay topics!

Changing dynamics of the modern family structure.
Technology and family communication.
Balancing work and family life.
The role of grandparents in shaping family values and traditions.
The concept of "chosen family" in LGBTQ+ communities.
Cultural differences in parenting styles and their effects on child development.
Birth order and personality traits.
Challenges of intergenerational conflicts within families.
Effects of divorce and separation on children and family dynamics.
Family rituals and traditions in strengthening bonds.
Social media on family dynamics and privacy boundaries.
Parental influence on career choices of their children.
Challenges and benefits of multigenerational households.
Effects of adoption on family dynamics and identity formation.
Extended family and kinship networks in providing support.

Exploratory Essay Topics on Relationships

Relationships come in all shapes and sizes, each presenting a unique opportunity to explore complex topics related to human connection. Learn more about the power of relationships with these exploratory essay topics:

Power dynamics in romantic partnerships.
Impact of trust on relationship longevity.
Communicating effectively in long-distance relationships.
Exploring love languages and their significance in relationships.
Relationship satisfaction in the digital age.
Navigating cultural differences in intercultural relationships.
The role of empathy in fostering healthy relationships.
Attachment styles and their influence on relationship dynamics.
Overcoming challenges in blended family relationships.
Exploring the impact of social media on dating and relationships.
Emotional intelligence and its role in relationship success.
The significance of personal boundaries in maintaining healthy relationships.
Balancing individuality and togetherness in romantic partnerships.
The influence of family background on romantic relationship choices.
Exploring conflict resolution strategies in relationships.

Exploratory Essay Topics on Friendship

Friendships play a major role in our lives and can be both fulfilling and complicated. Below we've gathered the most popular exploratory topics for a friendship essay :

Evolution of friendships in the digital age.
Impact of social media on friendship dynamics.
Nurturing long-distance friendships: Challenges and strategies.
Building trust in maintaining strong friendships.
Friendships across cultures: Building connections in a diverse world.
Peer influence on decision-making.
Balancing individual needs and expectations.
Exploring the concept of "best friends" and its significance.
Shared interests and hobbies in fostering friendships.
Overcoming conflicts and disagreements in friendships.
The influence of childhood friendships on adult well-being.
Online friendships: Authentic connections in a virtual world.
Toxic friendships and their effects on mental health.
Building and maintaining friendships in different life stages.
Social support networks and personal growth.

Bottom Line on Exploratory Essay Topics

The exploratory essay topics and ideas in this list are all open-ended and offer plenty of room for investigation. With a little research, you can turn these exploratory paper topics into compelling and informative pieces of writing! Don't forget to use different sources to support your ideas and cite them properly. Remember that the goal of an exploratory essay is to investigate a topic, so make sure you do your research before starting to write!

Rely on academic experts at StudyCrumb! Just send us your request, and rest easy knowing we'll deliver a top-quality essay on any topic, right when you need it. Why wait? Buy essay now, and let us handle the rest.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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