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Sample Explanatory Essay
The following explanatory essay was written by Mila Medrano. She chose “pets” as her general subject, and then narrowed her topic to the Jack Russell Terrier—a hunting dog. Notice how each new paragraph explains something different about her topic. (You can also see other explanatory essays.)
Jack Russell Terriers
Mila Medrano
Beginning
The first paragraph introduces the topic and leads to the focus statement. There are all sorts of dog breeds in the world, but one of the most recognizable ones is the Jack Russell Terrier. Although they may be small, they are packed with personality. Jack Russell Terriers were bred for hunting, but their intelligence, loyalty, and friendliness make them perfect pets.