This article will highlight the steps for explanatory writing and offer some explanatory essay ideas to guide you in topic selection. 

Explanatory essay definition 

An explanatory essay is a paper presenting a point of view on an event, topic, or phenomenon. The arguments in your paper should be based on valid facts and offer unbiased opinions as opposed to persuasive essays where your main aim is to convince the reader to adopt your stance toward a topic. 

How to write an explanatory essay 

Like all academic papers, your approach to an explanatory essay can greatly dictate your experience and results with your paper. some of the steps for writing an explanatory essay include:

1. Selecting a topic

Often, your teacher may give you a few options to choose from or a wide topic, leaving it up to you to develop your topic into a feasible idea. When doing so, make sure to choose a topic that is unbiased and has enough sources to back up the statements in your thesis. 

To choose a topic that most interests you, consider topic lists and hot themes as inspiration. 

2. Seek relevant sources

Once you’ve chosen your topic, look for reliable references to back up your claims. These sources don’t have to directly relate to your subject; rather, they should support the information you plan to emphasize in your paper. 

You can utilize Wikipedia, current publications, and citations as aids to find sources pertinent to your issue. 

3. Prepare an outline

Outline your arguments before writing your paper to ensure that the statements in your thesis flow cohesively. An outline is a useful tool to keep your arguments on track and to evaluate the finished work in comparison to the reverse outline. 

4. Writing and editing

Finally, write your paper and edit it to ensure that it’s in line with your tutor’s requirements. You could also engage your peers to catch any errors that could have easily missed your radar. 

How to start an explanatory essay 

The start of your explanatory essay dictates how well your paper is received by your audience. A boring start may put your reader off, resulting in less engagement and a negative attitude when reading through other parts of your essay. 

Ideally, come up with an amazing explanatory essay introduction to grab your reader’s attention and also to smoothly transition into your arguments. Some of the key approaches for an interesting introduction include:

• Starting with a rhetorical question or a series of questions that highlight the relevance of your topic
• Highlighting an important fact/statistic which shows the extent of a given problem
• Sharing a story that highlights the severity of a situation

Explanatory essay outline

Introduction:

• Hook
• Background
• Thesis statement

Body paragraph 1:

• Topic sentence
• Supporting evidence
• Elaboration 
• Transition to the next paragraph

Body paragraph 2:

• Topic sentence
• Supporting evidence
• Elaboration 
• Transition to the next paragraph

Body paragraph 3:

• Topic sentence
• Supporting evidence
• Elaboration 
• Transition to the next paragraph

Conclusion: 

• Summary of key points
• Thesis restatement

Explanatory essay topics 

1. How should I manage my finances? 
2. What are the top three advantages of regular exercise? 
3. Are you in charge of your life? 
4. What experiences from my past gave me a sense of life?
5. The distinction between existence and life.
6. What impact did ancient Greece have on western culture? 
7. What modifications were made to human rights laws following World War II? 
8. What distinguishes an asteroid from a meteor? 
9. What distinguishes a monologue from a dialogue? 
10. Which new technology has advantages and disadvantages? 
11. What impact has social media had on neighborhood news outlets? 
12. What are the benefits of volunteering in your community?

Unfortunately, your first attempt at producing an opinion essay can come with some difficulties. The recommendations in this article will help you get beyond the usual obstacles students face when writing an opinion essay. 

To assist you in choosing and condensing your issue to a workable thought, we’ll also highlight a few opinion essay ideas.

How to write an opinion essay 

The method you use to write your paper will have the biggest impact on your writing experience. Rushing in without conducting adequate research could put you in a lot of trouble during the writing process and reduce the strength of your arguments. 

Take a disciplined strategy for writing your essay and do comprehensive research to find the key supporting data for your assertions and the opposing arguments you should address in your article. 

Some of the steps in writing an opinion essay are as follows: 

1. Select a topic

If you are given a choice of several topics, concentrate on the one that interests you the most. On the other hand, if you are required to choose your subject, make a list of all the topics you are interested in and search topic boards for inspiration. 

2. Formulate your opinion

After choosing your subject, formulate a position that your paper will support. For example, if the topic of your essay is the use of technology in education, you might argue that this use of technology is not very advantageous. 

Your position should act as your thesis and aid in the planning of your arguments. 

3. Search for evidence

Once you’ve decided on a position, look for sources that are relevant to it. Avoid concentrating simply on the sources that lend support to your thesis because you must also examine any arguments against it. 

When conducting your research, write down the key pieces of information so you can use them in your outline later. 

4. Come up with the conclusion

Finally, check the key arguments in your paper and highlight the key takeaway from your paper. 

5. Draft your essay

Create an outline of your arguments and supporting data after doing your study. Writing your paper will be simple with no need to stray from your essential points thanks to the plan. 

Consider spending some time proofreading your paper once you’ve finished writing it as well. By doing this, you can style your work by the guidelines supplied and earn top marks for your efforts.

How to write an opinion paragraph 

Your paragraphs’ organization is essential to ensure the caliber and coherence of your ideas. Structure your opinion paragraph so that the first sentence contains your opinion and the second sentence has the supporting details. 

Next, expand on your viewpoint in the following two to three lines to help the readers understand what you are trying to say. For a seamless transition from one opinion to the next, state your position once more and connect it to your subsequent suggestion. 

Opinion essay outline

Introduction:

• Hook
• Background
• Thesis statement

Body paragraph 1:

• Opinion 
• Supporting evidence
• Elaboration 
• Transition to the next paragraph

Body paragraph 2:

• Opinion 
• Supporting evidence
• Elaboration 
• Transition to the next paragraph

Body paragraph 3:

• Opinion 
• Supporting evidence
• Elaboration 
• Transition to the next paragraph

Conclusion: 

• Summary of key points
• Thesis restatement

Ways to start an opinion essay

Setting the groundwork for your paper’s many points requires a strong opening for opinion essays. This part should draw the reader’s attention to your points and pique their interest in a hot-button issue. 

Here are some opinion essay hooks you ought to consider: 

• Rhetorical questions 

These are open-ended inquiries designed to get readers to reflect on the important topics in your essay. The foundation for various statements can be laid by a series of questions that highlight the important aspects of your debate. 

• Facts and statistics

Facts are an excellent technique to demonstrate the seriousness of a subject you wish to analyze in your essay. Keep in mind to cite pertinent sources while using facts. 

• Narration 

You might also take into account telling a story to establish your point of view on the subject and to create a situation that exposes the flaws in various opposing arguments. 

Good opinion essay topics

1. Should minors be allowed to vote? 
2. Methods for preventing corruption 
3. Private prisons: Are they moral? 
4. Inequitable treatment of women in Roman law 
5. The progression of propaganda in US media 
6. Benefits of history education 
7. Should potentially harmful medical data be made public? 
8. Addiction develops as a result of smartphone applications. 
9. The impact of smartphones on young people
10. Should piracy carry harsher penalties?