Explanatory Essay: Guidelines for an A+ Paper

Step 1: Preparation

Writing an explanatory essay requires one to make necessary preparations. Basically, failing to prepare adequately can undermine an overall quality of a whole work presented (Hampton, 2021). In most cases, writers who fail to take a required preparation score low grades. Hence, important steps one can follow when writing explanatory essays are:

Defining a Topic

Students must define explanatory essay’s themes or questions clearly. For instance, writers need to learn how to understand specific topics or prompts correctly (Jones, 2016). Basically, the most effective way of defining a subject is by identifying all the complex terms and finding their accurate meaning. Finally, scholars must figure out all the concepts required in a particular response before embarking on a writing process.

Addressing All the Issues

Prudent writers take their time to address all the issues and relate their ideas to a specific explanatory paper’s theme. For the prompt “Discuss some events in the life of your favorite actor, author, sports figure, famous leader, or performer. Furthermore, explain how these events relate to person’s achievements,” one must define significant concepts and write about this famous individual who faced during them his or her life. Then, students may opt to describe a “sports figure.” In this case, they should provide a clear explanation of a preferred athlete’s performance and how it relates to personal achievements. Therefore, one must consider all the terms that can lead to an adequate description of a theme.  

Preparing Ideas

Outstanding writers must prepare different ideas and remain relevant to assigned themes in question. For instance, one should gather all the ideas and support an explanatory issue directly (Sentell, 2020). In this case, a good writer organizes main ideas together, intending to enhance an overall flow of a topic. Furthermore, essayists can organize their thoughts before responding to explanatory writing prompts. In turn, some essential tools, like flow charts and flashcards, help authors to recognize vital concepts and places where they should appear in their compositions. Therefore, one should consider preparing ideas to avoid unnecessary omissions.  

Considering a Target Audience

Explanatory essays intend to convince readers that a position taken remains valid. Basically, one should identify an intended audience together with their specific needs. In this case, good writers prepare their work to appeal to a particular audience. For instance, one should consider the knowledge and language competency of intended readers (Sentell, 2020). Then, writers use exciting and straightforward language for young individuals that will not limit their reading abilities. In practice, one should identify a unique means of persuading readers by using figurative writing language to support a correct validity of the evidence presented. In turn, such an approach enhances an overall ability to pass an intended message to a specific audience.

Following a Structure

A particular process of considering a target audience requires one to identify a general structure of an essay and its role in supporting a main message. For example, learning institutions require students to utilize a unique writing design when communicating a main message (Hampton, 2021). In this case, authors must focus on a traditional essay structure to enhance a primary ideas’ flow. Besides, this process helps to identify significant flaws, while they may undermine an paper’s overall quality.

Step 2: Setting Up a Stage

Scholars should set up a particular stage for writing an explanatory essay. As a rule, one should not begin writing a composition without organizing necessary ideas. Instead, students must take basic steps needed to understand a central theme and gather the essential information to support main arguments (Sentell, 2020). In this case, writers include all the necessary details in an explanatory composition. Hence, basic steps one must follow when setting up a stage are: 

Finding Sources

Academic essays contain evidence obtained from credible sources. Basically, outstanding writers must search for reliable sources to authenticate examples and facts to present them in their explanatory texts (Lawson & Mayer, 2021). Moreover, scholarly sources should contain credible evidence that supports a writer’s point of view directly. Then, students should gather evidence from a wide range of sources. In this case, all learning institutes require learners to use peer-reviewed articles, volumes, reports, and credible websites as evidence sources. Besides, such rules ensure writers obtain current indisputable evidence to prepare explanatory essays. In turn, a prudent student should avoid doubtful websites that may contain information irrelevant to a paper’s topic.

Making Notes

Note-taking is an important activity in any writing process. For instance, essayists always make notes from researched sources (Sentell, 2020). Basically, students should engage in a critical reading process for all the scholarly sources to identify the subject’s evidence. Then, one should take relevant notes as part of an actual preparation. In turn, quality notes play a significant role in allowing writers to remember and organize the relevant evidence to support all the arguments. Hence, a prudent author must engage in a practical note-taking process when preparing an explanatory essay.

Creating an Outline

The length of an essay outline varies depending on a a specific theme and evidence presented. Basically, a prudent student writes an explanatory essay’s outline that reveals the main points of five paragraphs (Jones, 2016). However, students need to focus on developing an exhaustive outline. As a rule, an exceptional outline in writing must include a brief introduction, a working thesis statement, and main points that support central arguments. In turn, writers should provide a suitable general description for explanatory texts, which contains relevant evidence and supports established arguments and claims.

Writing an Annotated Bibliography

By definition, an annotated bibliography means a list of bibliographic entries for sources identified for writing a paper. In this case, one should follow the necessary formatting guidelines when preparing bibliographic entries. However, each entry must contain a suitable annotation that highlights essential details. As a rule, a credible annotation should have three paragraphs, namely a summary, an evaluation of a text, and a reflection on its applicability to a study (Hampton, 2021). In turn, these three sections play a crucial role in ensuring an author examines a source’s relevance in supporting main arguments. Besides, such a process helps one to understand specific parts of sources that must be used to support ideas in an explanatory paper.   

Step 3: Start Writing an Explanatory Essay

A particular writing process plays a crucial role in preparing explanatory essays because it allows writers to bring all the ideas together. For example, to start an explanatory essay, people begin with a hook that captures a reader’s interest, followed by background information on a specific topic, and end an introduction with a clear thesis statement outlining a main point (Hampton, 2021). Basically, students have a primary duty to ensure they present essential ideas in supporting their arguments. Moreover, the most important aspect is to ensure one must follow necessary writing steps in creating the most outstanding compositions. In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning an explanatory essay include:

• In today’s world, understanding necessary details and implications of [topic] is essential for both individuals and society as a whole because … .
• Throughout history, a particular development and impact of [topic] have been profound, influencing various aspects of human lives, including … .
• A unique concept of [topic] can be defined in multiple ways, but a comprehensive understanding requires examining its origins, evolution, and current applications in … .
• To fully grasp an actual importance of [topic], one must consider its historical context, its influence on contemporary society, and its potential future developments, particularly in the areas of … .
• Exploring various aspects of [topic] reveals complex factors that contribute to its significance, including its role in … .
• A comprehensive examination of [topic] shows it is not only an essential element in [related field or discipline] but also a critical factor in shaping possible outcomes of … .
• A particular phenomenon of [topic] is best understood through a complex approach that includes an analysis of its underlying principles, key contributors, and practical applications in … .
• When discussing [topic], it is essential to note diverse perspectives and interpretations that have emerged over time, each offering unique insights into … .
• An in-depth look at [topic] underlines significant themes and issues that have profound implications for people’s understanding of [related subject], such as … .
• Understanding [topic] requires analyzing potential relationships between its various components, including its historical development, current trends, and future suggestions in a particular context of … .

Creating a Draft

One should utilize notes prepared with a working thesis previously to develop a draft of an explanatory paper. For example, to write an explanatory essay, people clearly introduce a unique topic with a thesis statement, provide well-organized body paragraphs with detailed explanations and supporting evidence, and conclude by summarizing main points and restating a central claim (Hampton, 2021). Basically, acceptable drafts should follow a standard paper’s format and must contain all the relevant parts and sections. In this case, writers should organize explanatory drafts with an introduction, body, and conclusion as three significant parts. Moreover, such a process of uniting the information together helps to create a unique picture of an explanatory essay. In turn, it helps authors to identify necessary factors that relate to their compositions. Hence, drafting an explanatory composition marks a first step in organizing information in a way that reveals a good flow.   

Putting Everything Together

Essayists should put the information together into a complete paper that communicates an intended message. In this case, a writer should include all the evidence gathered for writing a composition. Basically, an explanatory essay typically consists of five paragraphs: 1 opening paragraph with a thesis, 3 body paragraphs, and 1 concluding paragraph (Jones, 2016). Besides, one must ensure all paragraphs or subsections follow a logical order. Further on, an explanatory paragraph follows a standard structure of a topic sentence, introducing a main idea, followed by supporting details and evidence, and concluding with a sentence that reinforces a main idea and transitions to a next paragraph (Jones, 2016). As such, the primary goal of putting everything together in writing is to ensure one can read and grasp an intended message. In principle, this step lays a valid foundation for revising a paper and ensures all the evidence presented supports an essay’s central argument.   

Finding New Sources or Deleting Old Ones

A prudent writer should not stick to sources identified initially. Basically, one must become flexible when identifying credible sources that support an explanatory essay effectively. In this stage, essayists should review a sources’ applicability to enhance an overall clarity of a communicated message. Moreover, if some sources fail to align with presented ideas, students must find new ones. In this case, writers always look for scholarly articles that contain weightier evidence to support thesis statements and other opinions presented in explanatory essays (Hampton, 2021). Besides, scholars may add more sources to avoid distracting a logical flow of ideas throughout a written composition. In turn, authors should delete previous sources if they fail to present weightier evidence to a central argument.  

Altering an Outline

Prudent essayists remain flexible enough to alter an initial procedure. As a rule, this process must take place after adjusting some sources used in a first draft. Basically, one should consider making the most essential and mandatory changes in addressing some issues that relate to a specific subject. In this case, essayists must alter some of the claims presented to ensure they add some significance to a specific theme (Sentell, 2020). Moreover, a reviewed outline plays an essential role in creating a suitable structure for writing a final explanatory essay. Therefore, one should revise an paper’s general description to capture the new evidence from a revised draft.  

Developing a Working Thesis

Each essay should have a remarkable thesis statement that covers main ideas or central messages. For example, an explanatory thesis statement outlines a main point or purpose of an essay, explaining what a paper will cover further in its text and a particular approach it will take without arguing a specific stance (Hampton, 2021). Basically, arguments made in an explanatory essay should reflect a thesis statement. As a rule, a thesis sentence refers to the information that captures a writer’s position. Furthermore, this statement always appear at the end of an introductory paragraph. Then, students should rely on a draft and revised outline to create a working thesis statement. In turn, this approach can ensure one understands an intended message when writing one sentence. Hence, a central claim must reflect on what essayists plan to communicate to an explanatory paper’s targeted audience.  

Step 4: Wrap It Up

A final stage in writing an explanatory essay involves polishing all the elements. Basically, the primary goal is to ensure one submits a flawless paper that effectively communicates a main message (Sentell, 2020). In this case, learners bear a particular responsibility for polishing their work and ensuring it captures all the intended ideas. Hence, specific steps one must consider when preparing to polish an explanatory essay are:

Revisions

Outstanding papers are products of several revisions. In particular, one must engage in a rigorous revision process to ensure an explanatory essay meets a necessary quality. Basically, writers should consider specific elements during a revision process. For example, some of these aspects include spelling, grammar, and paragraphs (Sentell, 2020). Then, one should ensure all words follow an accepted spelling depending on a writing type of language used. Moreover, the grammar of a paper should enhance its readability. In turn, wise authors rely on their friends to identify such flaws. As a result, such a strategy makes it easier to identify common mistakes that can undermine an overall essay’s quality.  

Editing

Prudent writers consider an actual significance of an editing process in enhancing an paper’s quality. For example, an essayist should consider making essential changes in an explanatory essay during an editing process (Hampton, 2021). In writing, such a method may involve removing vague statements and adding more evidence to enhance a text’s quality. Then, one should consider critics to make necessary changes in an explanatory essay and ensure it meets desired outcomes. Hence, editing is a rigorous process, and it must focus on improving a paper’s ability to communicate main ideas.

Topic Sentences

Outstanding explanatory essays should have topic sentences that relate to a central claim. For instance, one must ensure each paragraph begins with a topic sentence (Sentell, 2020). Basically, this opening statement needs to dwell on a single idea and reveal a unique connection to a thesis statement presented in an introduction. In this case, writers must ensure all the paragraphs begin with precise topic phrases. Otherwise, a paper may appear unclear and fail to provide an intended explanation about a chosen theme. As a rule, one must avoid discussing many points in writing a passage to enhance an overall quality. As a result, focused explanatory essays gain more marks.

Concluding Sentences

Outstanding essays must contain a good closing. Basically, a last sentence in each body paragraph must summarize a main idea covered in this part. In turn, one needs to ensure this line gives a summative closure to a specific passage without introducing new evidence or arguments to a paper (Sentell, 2020). However, failure to include an effective closing can disrupt a reader’s attention to a primary message. Moreover, a last sentence in a section must connect to particular ideas presented in a topic sentence of a following passage.

Transitions

Each passage must link to a next section through a linking phrase. For example, one can use transitioning words throughout an explanatory essay to ensure it has an adequate flow of main ideas (Jones, 2016). Besides, relevant transitions must appear inside an essay’s text. Unfortunately, some learners make a mistake of using many transitioning phrases in writing. In principle, such flaws distract a paper’s readability and may result in a distortion of a main message. Hence, one must rely on significant transitioning elements to communicate an intended message to a target audience.  

Formatting

Many learning institutions require students to follow specific formatting styles and guidelines. Basically, a successful writer must follow such guidelines when preparing their explanatory essays to ensure they meet necessary academic standards (Hampton, 2021). In this case, students must make relevant professor’s essential consultations to avoid losing grades due to poor writing and formatting. Besides, an explanatory essay’s rubric from an appropriate faculty acts as useful formatting guidelines. In turn, a prudent writer relies on such tools to ensure an entire work submitted meets necessary quality standards. Therefore, each student must consider essential formatting guidelines for explanatory papers. 

Peer Reviewing

Peer reviewing is an essential step in a writing process, but college students tend to ignore it. For instance, writers can share their work with peers for a reading and reviewing process (Hampton, 2021). In this case, one should identify other scholars with adequate knowledge of a subject matter to read an explanatory essay and provide a positive critique. Basically, such choices play an instrumental role in determining possible flaws in written documents. Then, students should consider a feedback and its role in promoting a paper’s quality before making any changes. As a rule, essayists must consider several critics and their role in enhancing a work’s readability and significance.

An explanatory essay has a unique outline that enhances an ability to communicate an intended message. In this case, a writer should rely on a scheme to avoid unnecessary omissions. Hence, main elements one must include in an explanatory essay are:

I. Introduction

A. An attention-getter.

B. Contextual information that presents all sides and supports an argument.

C. A clear thesis statement that covers three arguments presented in a body of an explanatory essay in writing one sentence.

II. Body

A. A first body paragraph.

1. A topic sentence that identifies a first argument.
2. Accurate evidence that supports this argument, which should contain an accurate citation.
3. An explanation of the evidence presented, which helps readers to understand an intended message.
4. A concluding statement that solidifies this argument and reveals its standing. Moreover, a concluding statement must be connected to a next paragraph.

B. A second body paragraph.

1. A topic sentence that identifies a second argument.
2. Accurate evidence that supports this argument, which should contain an accurate citation.
3. An explanation of the evidence presented, which helps readers to understand an intended message.
4. A concluding statement that solidifies this argument and reveals its standing. Moreover, a concluding statement must connect to a next paragraph.

C. A third body paragraph.

1. A topic sentence that identifies a third argument.
2. Accurate evidence that supports this argument, which should contain an accurate citation.
3. An explanation of the evidence presented, which helps readers to understand an intended message.
4. A concluding statement that solidifies this argument and reveals its standing. Moreover, a concluding statement must connect to a next paragraph.

III. Conclusion

A. A restated thesis statement.

B. A summary of three arguments presented in essay’s body paragraphs.

C. A final statement that leaves readers with a unique impression.

Important Features

An outline for explanatory essays is unique since all the sections focus on providing an adequate explanation of significant concepts. In writing, the number of body paragraphs should vary depending on an essay’s length. Moreover, one needs to ensure topic sentences provide a detailed explanation of a central claim (Hampton, 2021). In turn, writers should ensure paper’s body paragraphs offer concise and precise answers to the main arguments. Then, one needs to know a paper pertains to an explanatory essay and if all the statements included in an outline provide direct support to a written piece. However, other compositions, like argumentative papers, contain paragraphs that provide counterarguments and rebuttals (Hampton, 2021). Hence, an explanation essay’s outline appears unique since all the main points presented must support a thesis statement directly.

Topic: Explain the Impact of the Rising Child Gangs

Introduction Sample

Every human being strives to develop a sense of belonging. However, most teenagers fail in the process of creating relevant social circles. In this case, the majority of juveniles join various gangs, intending to achieve a sense of belonging. Moreover, the rise of teenage gangs is a major social problem in the twenty-first century. Although most individuals may disregard adolescent gangs’ impacts, they promote crime, drug and substance abuse, and lower education turnout among juveniles.

Examples of Body Paragraphs

Argument 1

Teenage gangs promote juvenile crime. For example, most teenagers who join gangs tend to engage in delinquent activities. In this case, many youths develop a sense of belonging when they engage in crime. Basically, they focus on establishing superiority among their social circles. Moreover, stealing and fighting are some of the activities that enable youths to develop a sense of belonging. In turn, gangs motivate juveniles to engage in such unbecoming activities. Besides, established bands give teenagers the courage to violate the law. Hence, the rising teenage gangs promote juvenile delinquency and encourage drug and substance abuse. 

Argument 2

Teenage gangs are responsible for rising rates of drug abuse among teenagers. For example, many teenagers learn how to use drugs through peer influence. In this case, they interact with friends who have access to cheap illegal drugs. Also, the process exposes most of the young teenagers to hard drugs. Then, the majority of the drug addicts began such behaviors during their teenage life. Besides, membership in groups that engage in drug abuse contributes to the addiction process. In other instances, gangs provide the necessary protection to the youths interested in drug abuse. Therefore, teenage gang membership has a close association with drug abuse and lower education turnouts among juveniles.

Argument 3

Gang membership plays a significant role in undermining adequate education access. For example, being a member of a teenage gang distracts most students from focusing on their education. In this case, many juveniles concentrate on fulfilling the needs of their respective bands. Moreover, the process interrupts their ability to meet educational expectations. Then, the majority of teenagers who engage in delinquent activities and drug abuse records the lowest performance in their studies. In turn, peer pressure forces them to remain in their respective gangs and promote such unfitting behaviors. Eventually, they lose the ability to focus on their academic goals and may drop out of their studies. 

Conclusion Sample

In conclusion, teenage gangs have detrimental impacts on juvenile lives. Firstly, the preceding evidence proves that teenage gangs motivate crime. In this case, the majority of youths who engage in such activities tend to embrace stealing and fighting. Besides, such children tend to engage in drug and substance abuse. Then, peer pressure and the need to remain relevant in their respective social circles motivate the juveniles to embrace drugs. Finally, gang membership lowers education turnout among youngsters. In turn, a large number of youths who belong to specific gangs tend to record poor academic performance. Thus, they may lose an opportunity to end their schools.