Posted: January 6th, 2023

5 Best Guides for Explanatory Essay Format

Explanatory Essay Format

Are you ready to tackle the explanatory essay? No problem! With a little bit of planning and organization, you can write a clear and concise essay that explains a concept or idea to your reader.

What is an Explanatory Essay?

First things first: what exactly is an explanatory essay? Also known as an expository essay, this type of writing aims to explain a concept or idea in a logical and straightforward manner. You might encounter explanatory essays in school, where they are commonly used to teach students how to research and analyze information. But explanatory essays can also be found in news articles, magazines, and other forms of writing.

An explanatory essay, also known as an expository essay, is a type of writing that aims to explain a concept or idea to the reader in a clear and concise manner. This type of essay is commonly used in academic settings, but it can also be found in news articles and other forms of writing.

To give you an idea of what an explanatory essay might look like, here is an example:

Topic: The benefits of meditation

Introduction:

Meditation has been practiced for centuries in various cultures and religions as a way to achieve inner peace and clarity of mind. In recent years, meditation has gained popularity as a way to reduce stress and improve overall health. In this essay, we will explore the various benefits of meditation and why it is worth incorporating into your daily routine.

Body paragraphs:

Meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. Numerous studies have found that meditation can help to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, leading to feelings of relaxation and calm.

Meditation has been linked to improved mental clarity and focus. By practicing meditation, you can train your mind to stay focused on the present moment rather than getting caught up in distractions or worrying about the future.

Meditation has been linked to physical health benefits, including lower blood pressure and improved immune function. Regular meditation can help to reduce inflammation in the body, leading to better overall health.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, meditation is a simple and effective way to improve your mental and physical well-being. Whether you are looking to reduce stress, improve focus, or boost your immune system, incorporating meditation into your daily routine is a smart choice.

This is just one example of what an explanatory essay might look like. By following a clear and concise structure, you can write an explanatory essay that effectively explains a concept or idea to your reader.

Now that you know what an explanatory essay is, let’s talk about how to tackle one. The key to success is to follow a specific format that ensures your essay is well-organized and easy to understand.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to the explanatory essay format:

Choose a topic:

The first step in writing an explanatory essay is to choose a topic that you are familiar with and that you think will be interesting to your audience. For example, you might choose to write about the impact of social media on relationships, the process of photosynthesis in plants, or the history of the Civil Rights movement.

Do research:

Conducting research for an explanatory essay is an important step in the writing process. Proper research will help you gather accurate and relevant information on your topic, which you can then use to support your arguments and explain your concept or idea to the reader.

Here are some tips for conducting research for an explanatory essay:

Start by brainstorming potential sources of information. This can include books, articles, websites, and other resources. Make a list of potential sources so that you can easily keep track of your research.

Consider the credibility of your sources. It is important to choose credible sources of information for your essay. Look for sources that are written by experts in the field or that are published in reputable publications.

Take notes as you research. As you gather information from your sources, be sure to take thorough notes. Record the source of the information so that you can easily cite it in your essay.

Organize your notes. As you gather more and more information, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. To keep things organized, consider using a system such as index cards or a spreadsheet to keep track of your notes.

Don’t forget about citations. Proper citation is important for any academic writing, including explanatory essays. Make sure to properly cite all of your sources in the appropriate citation style.

Create an Outline:

An outline is a helpful tool for organizing your thoughts and ensuring that your explanatory essay has a clear structure. By creating an outline before you start writing, you can save time and effort by having a roadmap to follow as you write your essay.

Here are the steps to create an outline for an explanatory essay:

Begin with an introduction that provides background information on your topic and states your thesis statement. The introduction should set the stage for the rest of the essay and give the reader an idea of what to expect.

Create body paragraphs that each focus on a specific aspect of your topic. Depending on the length and complexity of your essay, you may have one or several body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph and several supporting sentences that provide evidence and elaboration on the main idea.

End with a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and restates your thesis. The conclusion should provide a sense of closure and leave the reader with a clear understanding of your main points.

Here is an example of an outline for an explanatory essay:

I. Introduction

Background information on a topic

Thesis statement

II. Body Paragraph 1: The benefits of meditation

Reduces stress and anxiety

Improves mental clarity and focus

III. Body Paragraph 2: The physical health benefits of meditation

Lower blood pressure

Improved immune function

IV. Conclusion

Summary of main points

Restatement of thesis

Write the essay:

Now that you have an outline, you can start writing your essay. Begin with the introduction, which should provide context and set the stage for the rest of the essay. Then, move on to the body paragraphs, which should each focus on a specific aspect of the topic and provide evidence to support your arguments. For example, if you are writing about the process of photosynthesis in plants, you might provide information about the role of chlorophyll and sunlight in the process. Finally, end with a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and restates your thesis.

Edit and revise:

Once you have completed your essay, it is important to edit and revise it to ensure that it is well-written and free of errors. Read through the essay carefully and look for any typos, grammar mistakes, or other errors. Consider asking a friend or classmate to read through the essay and provide feedback as well.

Wrapping Up

With a little bit of effort, you can write a clear and concise explanatory essay that explains a concept or idea to your reader. Just remember to choose a topic that you are familiar with, do thorough research, create an outline, write the essay, and edit and revise as needed. Happy writing!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are new to writing explanatory essays, you may have some questions about the format and structure. Here are some frequently asked questions about explanatory essay format:

What is the purpose of an explanatory essay?

The purpose of an explanatory essay is to explain a concept or idea to the reader in a clear and concise manner. The essay should provide information and evidence to support the explanation, and it should be well-organized and easy to understand.

What is the structure of an explanatory essay?

The structure of an explanatory essay typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction provides background information on the topic and states the thesis statement. The body paragraphs each focus on a specific aspect of the topic and provide evidence to support the explanation. The conclusion summarizes the main points of the essay and restates the thesis.

How do I choose a topic for an explanatory essay?

When choosing a topic for an explanatory essay, it is important to choose a topic that you are familiar with and that you think will be interesting to your audience. It is also a good idea to choose a topic that is relevant and timely.

How do I do research for an explanatory essay?

To do research for an explanatory essay, you will need to gather information from a variety of sources. This can include books, articles, websites, and other resources. It is important to choose credible sources of information and to take thorough notes as you research.

How do I create an outline for an explanatory essay?

An outline is a helpful tool for organizing your essay and ensuring that it has a clear structure. To create an outline, start by writing an introduction that provides background information on the topic and states the thesis statement. Then, create body paragraphs that each focus on a specific aspect of the topic and provide evidence to support the explanation. Finally, end with a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and restates the thesis.

By answering these frequently asked questions, you can get a better understanding of the explanatory essay format and how to write an effective essay. Remember to choose a topic that you are familiar with, do thorough research, create an outline, and edit and revise your essay as needed. Happy writing!