What is Writing to Explain?

Multiple Choice

Which of these would NOT typically be explained in an explanatory text?

• ow a bicycle works

• The main character's feelings in a story

• Why leaves change colour in autumn

• The steps to bake a cake

Multiple Choice

Explanatory writing always includes personal opinions.

• True

• False

Open Ended

Think of something you know how to do well. What topic could you explain to someone else?

Think of something you know how to do well. What topic could you explain to someone else?

I could explain how to make a paper aeroplane, how to look after a pet fish, or how to play a simple card game.

Multiple Choice

Multiple Choice: Which would make the best title for an explanatory text?

• My Amazing Science Project

• How Do Plants Make Their Own Food?

• Plants Are Cool

• I Love Learning About Photosynthesis

Multiple Choice

Using a question as the title of an explanation can help readers understand what the text will explain.

• False
• True

Open Ended

Transform these general topics into specific explanatory titles (using questions):

Digestion → How does your body digest food?

---

Weather

Recycling

• Weather → Why does it rain?/How do thunderstorms form?

• Digestion → How does your body digest food?

• Recycling → How is paper recycled?/Why is recycling important?

Multiple Choice

What should you include in the first paragraph of an explanation?

• A personal story about the topic

• An exciting cliffhanger

• The topic you are writing about and key term definitions

• Multiple exclamation points to create excitement

Multiple Choice

The first paragraph should immediately start with step-by-step instructions.

• True

• False

Open Ended

Write an opening paragraph about 'How Plants Grow' that introduces the topic and defines at least one key term.

How Plants Grow

Plants are living organisms that grow through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the way plants make their own food using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. This explanation will describe how a tiny seed develops into a full-grown plant.

Multiple Choice

Multiple Choice: When explaining a process that follows a time sequence, you should:

• Start with the most interesting step

• Put the steps in random order

• Write in step-by-step order

• Only include the difficult steps

Match

Match these questions with the type of explanation they would help organize:

• How does a computer work?

• Why do we experience seasons?

• What is a telescope used for?

• When do tsunamis occur?

• What causes rainbows?

How does it work?

Why does it happen?

What is it used for?

When does it happen?

What creates the colours?

• How does it work?

• Why does it happen?

• What is it used for?

• When does it happen?

• What creates the colours?

Open Ended

Choose ONE of these topics and write 3-4 sentences (a paragraph) that explain it in a logical sequence:

- How to brush your teeth

- How water turns into ice

- How to send an email

How to brush your teeth

First, squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto your toothbrush. Next, brush your teeth using small circular motions, making sure to reach all surfaces of your teeth. Then, brush your tongue gently to remove bacteria. Finally, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

Multiple Choice

Which words help make explanations clearer and easier to read?

• However, although, because, therefore

• Never, always, must, should

• Perhaps, maybe, possibly, might

• Unfortunately, happily, sadly, joyfully

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of the concluding paragraph in an explanation?

• To introduce new information

• To summarize the key points explained

• To ask the reader questions

• To share a personal opinion

Multiple Choice

Including interesting facts can make explanatory writing more engaging.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The concluding paragraph should repeat everything from the explanation word for word.

• True

• False

Open Ended

Write a concluding paragraph for an explanation about 'How Rainbows Form' that summarizes the key points.

How Rainbows Form

In conclusion, rainbows form when sunlight shines through water droplets in the air. As the light passes through each droplet, it bends, reflects and separates into the seven colours of the spectrum. This natural phenomenon requires both sunlight and water in the air, which is why rainbows often appear after rainfall when the sun comes out.

Multiple Choice

Which feature is NOT on the checklist for explanatory writing?

• Title

• Characters and setting

• Conjunctions

• Concluding paragraph

Open Ended

Review this paragraph and identify 3 features of explanatory writing it includes and 1 feature it's missing:

The water cycle is important. First the sun heats up water from oceans and lakes. Then it evaporates and forms clouds. The water falls as rain. I love playing in puddles when it rains!

• No use of conjunctions to explain relationships (such as 'because', 'so', 'therefore')

• Personal statement ('I love playing in puddles') is not appropriate for explanatory writing

Missing feature

• Time words (First, Then)

• Written in sequence (heating, evaporation, rainfall)

• Simple language

Features included

The water cycle is important. First the sun heats up water from oceans and lakes. Then it evaporates and forms clouds. The water falls as rain. I love playing in puddles when it rains!

Open Ended

Choose ONE of these topics and write a short explanation (1-2 paragraphs) using the features we discussed today:

- How a Telephone Works

- How the Light Bulb Was Invented

- Why the Wheel Changed History

- How Paper is Made

- How Computers Store Information

How Does a Light Bulb Work?

A light bulb is an invention that produces light through electricity. The main parts of a traditional light bulb include a glass bulb, a metal filament, a metal base and wires. When electricity flows through the bulb, it creates light through a process called incandescence.

First, electricity flows through wires into the metal filament inside the bulb. Because the filament is made of a material like tungsten that resists the flow of electricity, it heats up to extremely high temperatures. When the filament becomes hot enough, it begins to glow and produce light. The glass bulb surrounding the filament contains special gases or a vacuum that prevents the filament from burning up immediately. This simple but clever design has allowed us to light our homes and buildings since Thomas Edison improved the light bulb in 1879.