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:
Paper Masters
Psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral theories in psychology
In this paper, there is going to an examination of Cognitive Behavioral and Psychodynamic theories. This is accomplished by focusing on: the two theories, their theoretical concepts, micro skills / techniques and a summary of these ideas. These elements will show how each one can address issues impacting the patient and the long term effects upon them.
Research Paper Doctorate
How labeling creates criminal identity and social deviance
The paper looks at the concept of labeling theory as an explanation to deviance in the society. It describes what this theory is and the approach that is required of it, the treatment that it has been given by various scholars over the years and the various definitions that exist from behaviorists over the same.
Research Paper Doctorate
Cultural values and national identity in Holland
The topic for this particular paper primarily focuses on cultural aspects that exist within Holland. The paper is divided across analysis of different aspects like the history and geography of culture, its characteristics including social characteristics or corporate characteristics amongst others. The paper ends with conclusions and recommendations of how culture can be better studied.
Paper High School
Effectiveness of critical thinking skill instruction and measurement
This paper is about critical thinking. It is the analysis of an article about critical thinking. The article is examined for the quality of its methodology, its research design, the research outcomes, measurement and whether the findings were outlined in the introduction. The article was found to be of generally good quality but with some faults in the population – solutions are offered.
Essay Doctorate
Anorexia nervosa: evolutionary adaptation theory and cultural factors
The paper responds to guissinguer (2003) argument that, anorectics react to loss of body weight by displaying adaptive responses that originally evolved to facilitate leaving food depleted areas. The paper provides arguments of various authors regarding the statement. The paper also provides the possible factors that may lead to Anorexia.
Paper High School
Isaac Newton's major scientific discoveries and accomplishments
This paper focuses on the life of Isaac Newton. It devotes 1.5 pages of text to a general background of Newton's life and covers his major scientific discoveries,such as the law of gravity and the laws of motion. Next, it devotes 1.5 pages to a reflective essay about how the world would be different had Newton not existed.
Paper High School
Asset classification and liquidity in company balance sheets
Are the assets included under the company's assets listed in the proper order? Explain your answer.
Essay Masters
Transformation and family rejection in Kafka's The Metamorphosis
The Metamorphosis is a novella written by Franz Kafka, and it tells the tale of Gregor Samsa, who wakes one day to find himself transformed into an insect-like creature. Throughout the rest of the tale, Gregor attempts to reconcile this new form with the life he used to live. He also struggles with the repulsion felt by his mother and sisters. This paper summarizes, interprets, and analyzes Kafka's tale.
Paper Undergraduate
Ethnic stereotypes and educational inequality in Sherman Alexie's "Indian Education"
This is a short overview of the short story Indian Education by Sherman Alexie. the author tells a story in which the stereotypes that people acquire, simply on the basis of their ethnicity, stifle their educational opportunities and result in Native American students on the reservation to get left behind. In the story, the education the Indian children receive is second-rate, to say the least. In the story’s depiction of the second grade, it portrays how the second grade students are treated unequally even at a young age.
Paper Undergraduate
The price-earnings ratio and HRG's market valuation
This paper is a take home exam for a finance course. There are a few different subjects covered. One is financial ratios, and the way that stock prices are derived by the market. There is an NPV and IRR question in there, including a bit about sensitivity analysis. There is also a question about the role of auditors as well.