4.2.3

Writing to Explain

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Writing to Explain

When you write to explain, break down the topic for the reader. Your job is to help the reader to understand the topic better. When writing to explain, you should:

Give reasons and explanations

Give reasons and explanations

  • Remember that you are not just giving information, but you have to give reasons and explanations.
Give specific examples

Give specific examples

  • Give specific examples of whatever you are writing about.
Answer the six questions

Answer the six questions

  • Answer the six questions: Who, what, where, when, why and how?
Describe a process

Describe a process

  • Explaining involves describing a process and showing the cause and effect – e.g. X happens, which causes Y to happen (People overeat, which causes obesity and heart disease).
Explain the task in depth

Explain the task in depth

  • Stick to the task you have been given and explain it in depth.
Explain your ideas throughout

Explain your ideas throughout

  • Focus on explaining your ideas all the way through your writing.

Writing to Explain in Texts

When you write to explain, break down the topic for the reader. Your job is to help the reader to understand the topic better. You will see examples of writing to explain in the following texts:

Textbooks which explain processes

Textbooks which explain processes

  • Textbooks which explain processes (especially science textbooks).
Explanatory texts

Explanatory texts

  • Any text which explains why and how something happens, but does not persuade the audience to do anything.
Leaflets/pamphlets

Leaflets/pamphlets

  • Leaflets or pamphlets explaining information.
Jump to other topics
1

Key Terms

1.1

Key Terms

1.1.1Key Terms - Nouns, Verbs & Sentences1.1.2Key Terms - Sentence and Clause Types1.1.3Key Terms - Words, Sounds & Language1.1.4Key Terms - Types of Language1.1.5Key Terms - Images, Symbols & Mood1.1.6Key Terms - Mood & Feelings1.1.7Key Terms - Other Techniques1.1.8End of Topic Test - Key Terms
2

Language Devices

2.1

Language Devices

2.1.1Metaphors2.1.2Similes2.1.3Metaphors & Similes HyperLearning2.1.4Personification2.1.5Pathetic Fallacy2.1.6Puns & Oxymorons2.1.7Hyperbole & Emotive Language2.1.8Alliteration2.1.9Sibilance2.1.10Onomatopoeia2.1.11Recap: Language Devices2.1.12End of Topic Test - Language Devices
3

Writing Structure

3.1

Writing Structure

3.1.1Narrators3.1.2Paragraphs3.1.3Tense3.1.4Present vs Past vs Future Tense3.1.5Foreshadowing3.1.6Structure3.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Structure
4

Section B: Reading & Writing

4.1

Writing Formats

4.1.1Letter4.1.2Reports & Essays4.1.3Journal/Diary Entry4.1.4Speech4.1.5Newspaper Article4.1.6Leaflet4.1.7Review4.1.8Travel Writing4.1.9End of Topic Test - Writing Formats
4.2

Writing to...

4.2.1Writing to Inform4.2.2Writing to Inform - Example4.2.3Writing to Explain4.2.4Writing to Explain - Example4.2.5Writing to Persuade4.2.6Writing to Persuade - Example4.2.7Writing to Argue4.2.8Writing to Argue - Example4.2.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue4.2.10Writing to Advise4.2.11Writing to Advise - Example4.2.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
4.3

Acronym of Techniques - DAFORESTAR

4.3.1Direct Address4.3.2Alliteration4.3.3Facts4.3.4Opinions4.3.5Repetition4.3.6Exaggeration (Hyperbole)4.3.7Statistics4.3.8Triple (Rule of 3)4.3.9Emotive Language4.3.10Rhetorical Questions4.3.11End of Topic Test - DAFORESTER
5

Section C: Writing

5.1

Writing Task

5.1.1Discursive Writing5.1.2Narrative Writing5.1.3Descriptive Writing5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Task

Practice questions on Writing to Explain

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Why is this a weak example to use in an explanatory account of the different parts of a museum?<br><br><b>The Boden room contains lots of artefacts.Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What are the six questions you should answer when writing to explain?Fill in the list
  3. 3
    You are explaining the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. Which of these would be the most persuasive fact to include?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Which example shows direct cause and effect?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Which texts contain examples of writing to explain?Fill in the list
Answer all questions on Writing to Explain

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Writing to Inform - Example

Writing to Explain - Example