Communication for

Various Purposes
Unit IV
 Lesson 1: The Explanation Essay
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the conventions of the explanation essay;

2. appreciate the value of clearly explaining a phenomenon; and
3. write an explanation essay of at least 500 words on a topic of your choice.
 Writing an Explanation Essay

• An Explanatory Essay, also called an Expository Essay, presents other people’s views, or
reports an event or a situation. It conveys another person’s information in detail and explains
what is difficult to understand. Without giving any criticism or argument, the writer of the
essay elucidates the subject by analyzing it.

• An explanation essay is one such example of a written piece of work that addresses ‘why’
questions.
 Types of Expository Essay
Expository essay is further divided into five major categories:

• Descriptive Essay
A descriptive essay describes something, some place, some experience, or some situation
through sensory information.
• Process Essay
A process essay explains or shows a process of making or doing something.
• Comparison Essay
A comparison essay makes comparison and contrasts between two things

• Cause/Effect Essay
A cause and effect essay finds out the cause of something and then its effects on something else.
• Problem/Solution Essay
A problem/solution essay presents a problem and its solution for readers.
A good explanatory/expository essay consists of the following:

• The introductory paragraph clearly states what is to be analyzed or explained.

• Each subsequent paragraph has a distinct supporting topic.
• Each of the sentences of the paragraph relates directly to the topic.
• All the paragraphs are sequenced properly and make smooth transition from
one topic to another.
• Precise and accurate words are used to convey the message.
• The concluding paragraph reinforces the position in a meaningful way.
 Difference Between an Expository Essay and an Argumentative Essay

• An Expository essay is an exposition, explanation, investigation, or illustration

for the purpose of clarification, therefore, its tone is often kept neutral.

• An Argumentative essay is a clear position about something is taken before

the argument is presented. There is no issue of objectivity or neutrality.
• The function of an expository essay is to clarify and expose things, ideas, persons, and places
through description, process, comparison/contrast, or through problem solution. The objective
of this type of essay is to make readers aware of things given in the essay. It proves full and
detailed information in a way that readers become knowledgeable about the topic.

• The purpose of writing an expository essay is to explain or describe an event or situation

clearly. It explains a certain viewpoint or report in detail. You have to add valuable information
about the topic. With the help of data, it helps in clarifying a viewpoint. It involves critical and
argumentative writing style. It also revolves around comparison and contrast essays.
 Parts of an Expository essay
• Lead - grabs readers attention.
• Transition sentence - connects paragraph to paragraph so ideas flow smoothly
• Transition sentence - connects paragraph to paragraph so ideas flow smoothly
• Thesis statement - provides the main idea for the essay and provides the writers opinion
• Detail sentence - provide a specific example or text evidence that supports the topic sentence
• Introduction - beginning of essay. includes a lead, thesis statement and organizational
structure.