Explanatory essays are a common academic requirement in nursing programs. This essay style aims to inform readers by clearly explaining a topic rather than arguing a position. Mastering expository essay writing equips nurses with essential skills for educating patients, colleagues, and the public. This guide covers everything nursing students need to know about crafting compelling expository essays.
What is an Explanatory Essay?
An expository essay objectively explains a focused topic using evidence and examples. The goal is to educate or inform readers about a concept, process, or idea related to nursing in a clear, concise way. Explanatory essays analyze and describe – they do not aim to persuade. Common assignments include explaining diseases, treatments, procedures, current issues, new technologies, and more.
Key qualities include:
Objective tone using facts, description, and research
Comprehensive explanation and analysis of the topic
Logical organization and clear structure
Accuracy using credible sources and citations
Avoiding opinions, emotions, and persuasion
Expository writing develops vital skills for nurses to teach about healthcare concepts without bias.
The Purpose of Explanatory Writing
Explanatory writing serves an informative purpose. Reasons nursing students are asked to write expository essays include:
Demonstrate understanding of course concepts
Explain evidence-based practices
Describe phenomena in comprehensive detail
Compare treatments, populations, roles, or concepts
Outline nursing processes, protocols, or issues
Define essential terminology
Classify diseases, skills, technologies, models
Clarify complex ideas by breaking them into steps
Analyze causes, effects, and implications
The goal is to convey information to broaden readers’ knowledge on a focused nursing subject.
How to Write an Explanatory Essay
Follow these steps when writing an Explanatory nursing essay:
Choose a focused, well-defined topic suited for objective explanation.
Research to gather information from credible sources.
Outline the essay, including thesis, topic sentences, evidence, and analysis.
Write a draft adhering to the standard expository essay structure.
Fill in research-based evidence and explanations to develop paragraphs.
Maintain an objective tone using academic language.
Revise for clarity, organization, concision, and depth.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, mechanics, and citation accuracy.
Craft an Engaging Introduction
Develop a Clear Thesis Statement
Create a Structured Outline
Compose Topic Sentences
Use Evidence Effectively
Analyze the Evidence
Maintain Logical Flow
Avoid Redundancy
Stay on Topic
Conclude Effectively
Seek Peer Review
This process results in a polished essay educating readers on the chosen topic.
9 Types of Explanatory Essays
Various expository writing techniques can be leveraged based on the topic and purpose:
1. Classification Essays
Break a broad topic into distinct categories based on shared characteristics.
Nursing examples: types of nursing theories, classes of medications, levels of trauma care
2. Definition Essays
Provide the precise meaning of a word, key term, or concept relevant to nursing.
Nursing examples: defining nursing process terms; explaining healthcare delivery models
3. Process Essays
Give step-by-step directions on how something works or how to perform a procedure.
Nursing examples: prioritization approach for admissions; steps to administering injections
4. Compare-and-Contrast Essays
Highlight the similarities and differences between two nursing concepts, roles, treatments, etc.
Nursing examples: RN vs. LPN responsibilities; medical vs. nursing models; quantitative vs. qualitative research
5. Cause-and-Effect Essays
Explain the causes and effects related to a health-related phenomenon.
Nursing examples: risk factors and co-morbidities of diabetes; consequences of inadequate staffing
These types all aim to inform readers but approach explanations from different angles.
6. Descriptive Essays
In this type of essay, you paint a vivid picture using words to describe a nursing scenario, a patient’s condition, or a healthcare setting in great detail. This approach can help readers visualize and better understand the subject matter.
7. Problem-Solution Essays
Address a nursing-related issue or problem, then propose solutions or strategies to mitigate or resolve it. These essays are practical and emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
8. Argumentative Essays
Present a well-reasoned argument supported by evidence and logical reasoning. These essays are valuable in nursing for discussing controversial topics or making a case for a particular practice or policy change.
9. Narrative Essays
Share personal experiences or stories related to nursing that provide insight, inspiration, or lessons. These essays can be emotionally engaging and offer a unique perspective on nursing practices and challenges.
Explanatory Essays
Investigate and explore a nursing topic or question, examining it from various angles and considering different perspectives. These essays encourage open-minded inquiry and discussion.
How to Structure an Explanatory Essay
Expository essays follow a standard structure with distinct sections:
Introduction
The explanatory introduction provides background context, states the specific topic and essay goals with a thesis statement, and previews the structure. It sets up what information will be conveyed and why it matters to readers.
Body Paragraphs
The body contains several paragraphs explaining aspects of the thesis. Effective topic sentences introduce the paragraph focus. Supporting details like facts, quotes, data, and examples provide evidence. Analysis is given to expand on the evidence and connect it back to the topic.
Conclusion
The conclusion summarizes key points and takeaways without introducing new content. It reiterates the significance of the topic and thesis, providing closure.
This logical structure facilitates comprehension of the focused topic.
Writing Explanatory Nursing Essays: Final Thoughts
Expository writing is fundamental for nurses across settings. Organizing content in a clear, objective manner educates audiences on vital health-related topics without persuasion. Mastering expository essay structure equips students to write accurately and informatively about diverse nursing issues and concepts. This guide provides the essential components for planning, researching, writing, and refining compelling expository essays.
