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Explanation

Tells us how something works or gives us information about something.

Purpose

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Structure

A general statement is used to introduce the topic of explanation.

A series of logical steps explaining how or why something occurs.

Steps continue until the final state is produced or the explanation is complete.

There are lots of things we can do to stay healthy and to keep illnesses away.

The best drinks for staying healthy are water and milk. Fruit juices can be good for us but they can have a lot of sugar in them. Fizzy drinks are not good for us at all.

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Features

Explanations are written in the present tense.

Conjunctions that signal time are used in explanations.

then next several months later

Explanations are written using causal connectives.

because so this causes

Many birds fly south

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Features

  • Title – explains what the text is for

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  • Opening Statement – about the subject

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  • Clear, simple points about why or how something occurs

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  • Technical words – where appropriate

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  • Conjunctions – e.g. because, resulting in

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  • Present tense

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  • Summary Paragraph

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Using how or why in a title helps.

Use a clear title that indicates what you are writing about.

Title and Introduction

Use the first paragraph to introduce the subject to the reader.

Try to make the title intrigue the reader.

Why do sloths hang about?

Decide whether to use diagrams, charts, illustrations or flow charts to help explain.

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Organise the writing and illustrations to explain:

  • What you need.

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  • How it works.

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  • Why it works.

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  • When and where it works.

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  • What it is used for.

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  • Add in extra, interesting information.

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Interest the reader with an exclamation or question.

Interest the reader.

Strange as it may seem…,

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Not many people know that…

Beware – whirlwinds can kill!

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Did you know...?

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Relate the ending to the reader.

Reread the explanation pretending that you know nothing about the subject. Does it make sense?

Ending

If specialised terminology is used, a glossary may be needed.

Finish by drawing all ideas together in a concluding paragraph.

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