Essay Topic Hub

Explanation
Essays

4,031+ paper examples, study guides & outlines

4,031 papers
UG & Grad levels
Free to browse
What is Explanation?

Explanation as a mode of academic writing appears across virtually every discipline, from biology and economics to history, theology, and technology. Rather than arguing a position or narrating events, explanatory writing prioritizes clarity — breaking down complex systems, processes, or phenomena so that a reader can genuinely understand them. This makes it a foundational skill in English composition courses, where students learn to present information in structured, accessible ways regardless of subject matter.

The papers collected here reflect the broad range of contexts in which explanation is required. Some take a scientific or technical approach, such as examining how LASIK surgery works or identifying the symptoms caused by exposure to mercury and arsenic. Others explain organizational structures, business strategies, or economic paradoxes like the diamond-water problem studied in microeconomics. Still others address social, legal, or cultural subjects — from reciprocity within the Iroquois Confederacy to the traditions of the Catholic faith — demonstrating that explanation adapts to whatever situation or subject demands it.

A strong explanatory essay begins with a clear sense of scope: identify precisely what needs to be understood and why it matters to the reader. Evidence carries weight when it is specific and well-sourced — definitions, data, examples, and step-by-step reasoning all serve the goal of genuine understanding. The most common pitfall is confusing explanation with argument; an explanatory thesis states what something is or how it works, not what the writer believes about it. Keeping that distinction sharp ensures the writing stays focused on illuminating rather than persuading.

4,031 papers
Sort by:
Research Paper Doctorate
The subjectivity of science: philosophy and human judgment in scientific explanation
The Subjectivity of Science: The role of philosophy in explaining the nature of science
Paper Doctorate
Dalrymple's argument for consensual cannibalism and self-determination
The author of "The Case for Cannibalism," Theodore Dalymple, presents a rather convincing argument that cannibalism, nor any other action, for that matter, is neither morally nor legally incorrect when it takes place…
Research Paper Doctorate
Ideology, theories, and practice strategies in social work
There are several factors that contribute to seeming intractability and complexity of social issues. We cannot retrieve an actual picture of any problem considering a single issue. The root causes of social issues are related to individual circumstances and some are beyond the individual control. The root causes related with social issues include poverty, addictions, mental illness, low income, red hot economy, housing supply and etc. This term paper is based on the evaluation of counseling sessions, using various theories, for the rehabilitation of socially disturbed people. The paper emphasizes on the consideration of cultural diversity, inclusiveness and positivity of life.
Paper Undergraduate
How children's responsibilities and lifestyles differ around the world
How the responsibilities and lifestyles of children differ around the world.
Research Paper Doctorate
Gary Schwartz's flawed mediumship research and afterlife claims
In his trade book the Afterlife Experiments, clinical psychologist and University of Arizona professor Gary Schwartz offers "breakthrough scientific evidence of life after death." Based on a series of studies Schwartz…
Paper Doctorate
Existentialism and collapsing certainties in Sartre's No Exit
The collapse of the birth rate is a reflection of the lack of precedent population structure in which old people past their retirement age outnumber the young people. In the case of western and central Europe, there have been massive fall of the birth rate below the essential rate vital for the reproduction of the population. The main objective of this research exercise is to evaluate the aspect of collapsing birth rates in the context of the developed world.
Essay Doctorate
Integrating job performance and training in healthcare employee relations
Job performance is an integral aspect within the health care services industry's overall. For one, it holds both associates and management accountable for their respective actions. This accountable provides a means of deterring any subpar performance on the part of employees who might otherwise be a detriment to the overall operations of the firm. By linking job performance to training, the organization can train those deficient in certain skills. In many instances training allows a means for personnel to acquire skills deemed necessary by leadership. By integrating both concepts, organizations can minimize waste while also growing talented personnel within the organization. This is particular important in regards to the changing landscape of the health care industry overall. Excessive and meaning regulation has created fundamental change within the industry overall. As such, job training must reflect the changing circumstances prevailing within the industry. What was once needed within the health care industry, may now have become antiquated and obsolete. As such, training must be used to facilitate the overall performance of those working within the facility
Research Paper Doctorate
Comparing materialism and idealism in philosophical theory
¶ … symbolist/idealist theory and the materialist/realist theory. The writer also names several theorists for each theory and their contribution to the theory. There were two sources used to complete this paper.
Research Paper Doctorate
Human genome mapping and ACE inhibitor drug discovery
¶ … Genome Project on Drug Design and Discovery
Essay Doctorate
Sociological and lay ideas about illness compared with biomedicine
In this paper, the following question is answered: Explain how sociological and lay ideas about illness differ from those of biomedicine. Individuals in a society may also respond negatively to the medical model due to a stark disparity between the perception of an illness, its suitable treatment and the postulations presented by medical model in this regard. Nettleton (2006) provided evidence by illustrating the case with the upsurge of anti psychiatry movement in 1970s. This critical stance among the people shows how the societal notions about the lack of suitability can shape the responses of individuals towards biomedicine.