Writing to explain ...

1. Re-cap the basic principles of writing to explain. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question. Writing to explain ...

2. EXPLAIN WHY YOU TOOK UP A FAVOURITE HOBBY. OR EXPLAIN HOW YOU MET YOUR BEST FRIEND. You have 3 minutes. Writing to explain ...

3. Re-cap the basic principles of writing to explain. Explain means a detailed discussion. The purpose of writing to explain is to provide answersto questions,give reasons,or help someone to understanda process. Writing to explain ...

4. Re-cap the basic principles of writing to explain. Often students confuse the principles of writing to explain with those of writing to inform. When you explain, you don't just write information - you also need to give reasons. In very basic terms you can think of the difference between informing and explaining in terms of answering a slightly different set of questions: Writing to explain ...

5. Re-cap the basic principles of writing to explain. When writing to inform you answer: What? When? Who? Where? But… When writing to explain you should also answer: Why? How? Writing to explain ...

6. Re-cap the basic principles of writing to explain. In an exam you might be asked to: • Explain a particular processor cycle or phenomenon • Explain a personal experienceorfeeling Writing to explain ...

7. Re-cap the basic principles of writing to explain. Explaining HOW usually involves describing a process, showing cause and effect. E.g. X happens, which causes Y to happen. Explaining WHY involves givingcauses and reason. E.g. X causes Y to happen because ... Writing to explain ...

8. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question. Communicate clearly and imaginatively. Clear and structured paragraphs Text level Clearly Interesting and appropriate vocabulary Word level Communicate A variety of simple and complex sentences for effect Sentence level Imaginatively Using your own ideas Using techniques for effect Using rhetorical and poetic devices to engage the audience. Writing to explain ...

9. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question. Use and adapt forms for different readers and purposes. Purposes Readers/Audience Who is the audience? How will that affect your response? Teenagers School governors Readers of tabloid newspaper Parents For Paper 2 you know this will either be inform, explain or describe. Make sure you include the conventions of the writing purpose you select. Writing to explain ...

10. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly. Constructing Your Response: • Introduce the focus of the explanation. • Explain the principle (if there is one) and use analogies. • Identify the start. • Describe the process clearly. • Describe the consequences. Writing to explain ...

11. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (clear and structured paragraphs). Principles: A principle is the basic or most important rule which explains the way something works. Rainbows The principle is refraction – light is bent as it travels through transparent materials such as water, and different colours go through at different angles. Writing to explain ...

12. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (clear and structured paragraphs). Analogies: Analogies are useful when you want to explain difficult or complicated ideas. They are a helpful comparison with something else (a bit like a simile). RAM The RAM in your computer is like a library table where you can spread out the books you need for easy access – it is a temporary storage place that allows your computer quick access to information. Writing to explain ...

13. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (clear and structured paragraphs). Explanation texts require a logical structure. You should use effective connectives to help guide your reader through the explanation. Writing to explain ...

14. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly. Causal language will help in the explanation of why something happens and the consequences. The reason that Hannah burst into tears was that no one had remembered her birthday. When she woke up she noticed that everything was the same as usual – brothers and sisters noisily getting ready for school. So she got up quickly to see whether there were any presents lying around. Nothing. This caused a violent eruption of emotions. Writing to explain ...

15. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly. Sequential connectives help to provide order. At the beginning, there are few signs of the virus. The sufferer may simply feel a little tired. The first symptom is often sneezing, sometimes accompanied by a sore throat. The second stage is a runny nose. After that, the symptoms intensify with acute congestion. At the same time, the sufferer may experience a mild temperature and aches and pains. (The Common Cold) Writing to explain ...

16. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (clear and structured paragraphs).. Sequential Connectives Causal Connectives • Because • The reason that … • When • So • This results in • This causes • Therefore • As a consequence… • In the beginning • First • Second • Third • After that • Next • At the same time Writing to explain ...

17. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (clear and structured paragraphs). Explain a decision, that you have made, that has had a major impact on your life. Writing to explain ...

18. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (clear and structured paragraphs). Writing to explain ...

19. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (Interesting and appropriate vocabulary). It is important to choose the most appropriate, and effective, word for your chosen audience. The English language has an incredibly large vocabulary so in many sentences you will have a lot of words to choose from. Writing to explain ...

20. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (Interesting and appropriate vocabulary). Consider the sentences below. In each case, which word would you change in order to improve your chances of attaining a top grade? Hannah was sad. It was difficult to choose: stay with mum, or go with dad. Writing to explain ...

21. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (sentences for effect). You should be using a variety of simple and complex sentences for effect. Complex sentences contain more detailed explanations, using subordinating clauses to build a more vivid picture. The linked clauses in complex sentences highlight the interrelationships between the ideas expressed. They can also be used to slow the pace of your writing. Simple sentences will provide succinct information. They are useful for adding emphasis and sometimes they add pace or drama: short simple sentences move fast. Writing to explain ...

22. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (sentences for effect). You should also be varying the structure of sentences for effect. Make sureyou include at least two of each of the following sentences structures in your exam response. Writing to explain ...

23. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (sentences for effect). Start your sentence with a past tense verb - an ‘-ed’ word Start your sentence with an adverb – a ‘-ly’ word Start your sentence with a present participle - an ‘-ing’ word Start your sentence with a subordinate clause Start your sentence with a connective A sentence that contains a subordinate clause mid-sentence. Start your sentence with a prepositional phrase. Prepositional phrases begin with a preposition and end with a noun or pronoun. Some of the most common prepositions are 'across', 'at', 'for', 'from', 'in', 'of', ‘through’ and 'with'. End your sentence with a subordinate clause. A dramatic short simple sentence. Writing to explain ...

24. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate imaginatively(Using rhetorical and poetic devices) . By now you should be able to identify, and use, many different rhetorical and poetic devices. For the purposes of your exams, you need to be able to do more than just apply these devices liberally to your writing, you will need to be able to use appropriate devices for your purpose, task and audience. Writing to explain ...

25. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate imaginatively(Using rhetorical and poetic devices) . C limatic listing (Gradatio) Arranging items (words, clauses, or even sentences) in the order of increasing importance, weight, or emphasis. It offers a sense of continuity, order, and movement-up the ladder of importance. A nalogy Drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect. A technique often used by writers to help the reader to understand a complex or abstract point. P arenthesis Inserting explanatory or descriptive asides into the middle of an already grammatically complete sentence. A semi-colon (the one that looks like a comma with a dot above it) has a completely separate function to the colon. E xamples(Any supporting evidence, facts or anecdotes) Writing to explain ...

26. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate imaginatively(Using rhetorical and poetic devices) . Although writing to explain does not require the vivid imagery of writing to describe, it is not a dry factual account like writing to inform. You should be able to find an excuse to use some more imaginative techniques in your response. Writing to explain ...

27. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate imaginatively(Using rhetorical and poetic devices) . For example, consider the sentences below. Yes, they are explanatory, but they are also dull. What techniques would it be acceptable to use in order to improve the sentences? On my first day at school I felt nervous. The Millennium Dome is large. The sea looked clear. Writing to explain ...

28. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: adapting writing for the reader and purpose. • Make sure you know what the task you are being asked to complete involves. • Be clear in your mind what the purpose and audience are. • Underline or highlight key words or phrases. • If the question does not specify an audience, consider a likely audience yourself and keep this audience in mind throughout your response. Top Tip Writing to explain ...

29. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: adapting writing for the reader and purpose. • Work out what and how much your reader already knows • No one likes to read what they already know... it’s boring! • ... and if you do tell what they already know, you risk making readers feel patronised. • Work out what and how much your reader needs to know • too much and, again, they’re bored or their enjoyment of the topic is ruined... • ... too little and they’re unsatisfied or still confused! • Work out what and how much your reader ought to know • Work out what and how much your reader would be interested in knowing • thinking closely about your reader is the key to a good explanation! Writing to explain ...

30. Re-cap the basic principles of writing to explain. Consider how to answer a writing to explain question. • Answer the questions HOW and WHY • Give reasons (WHY) • Are logical, sometimes working step-by-step through a process (HOW) • Show cause and effect • Give principles and use analogies • Use causal language • Use sequential connectives • Often use technical or specialist language Writing to explain ...

31. Practising how to explain. Explain what is happening. You cannot use the following words: Balloon Blowing-up Pop Writing to explain ...

32. Practising how to explain. Explain what is happening in this advert. Your partner has to try to recreate the image based on your explanation of it. Writing to explain ...

33. Practising how to explain. Watch this clip carefully. Make notes about ‘how to stand up on a surfboard’. Link to surfing lesson. REMEMBER: With notes you just jot down key information. Focus on anything that explicitly explains how or why. Writing to explain ...

34. Practising how to explain. Sequence your notes. (If it helps try drawing step-by-step diagrams.) Remember to use your causal and sequential connectives. Writing to explain ...

35. Practising how to explain. You will be writing a magazine article (for a teen magazine) explaining how to surf. How should you structure your article? What tone do you need to use? Writing to explain ...

36. Practising how to explain. What is effective about the following opening paragraph? Writing to explain ...

37. Practising how to explain. Standing up on a surfboard would be such an easy activity if the board were on a solid surface. But place that board on a surge of swirling water on which you must simultaneously leap from lying on your front to standing while trying to balance your weight just to keep from plunging into the watery abyss, and now you've got yourself a challenge. Learning how to stand is the step in learning to surf that separates the stoked from lame. As a starter, to begin with you should forget about the water. The place to practise is on the beach. Writing to explain ...

38. Practising how to explain. Have a go at writing your own opening paragraph. Using your notes, complete the article. REMEMBER it is important to keep in mind the Purpose, Audience and Form. Writing to explain ...

39. Practising how to explain. Audience? An older group so write so that they understand your point of view General statement There is a wide range of pressures on young people today. Explain what you take to be the main pressures and how they affect you as well as people you know. Use formal style that’s not too personal because the audience won’t believe you. Give good examples of the pressures and the effect they have on you and others of your age. Be clear and concise so the audience don’t get confused. Writing to explain ...

40. Practising how to explain. Explain what qualities you think a best friend should have and explain, giving examples, why you think this. Teenagers are often criticised in newspapers. Write a letter to the editor of a national newspaper explaining why this is often unfair. Choose a famous person whom you admire. Explain why you admire this person. If you could choose, where would you most like to live? Explain the reasons for your choice. Many people complain of too much pressure at work and at home. Explain the main pressures in your life and explain how you cope with them. Writing to explain ...