Recap the basic principles of writing to explain

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

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

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

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:

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?

Re-cap the basic principles of writing to explain. In an exam you might be asked to: 1. Explain a particular process or cycle or phenomenon 2. Explain a personal experience or feeling

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 giving causes and reason E. g. X causes Y to happen because. . .

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

Consider how to answer a writing to explain question. Use and adapt forms for different readers and purposes. Readers/Audience Who is the audience? How will that affect your response? Teenagers School governors Readers of tabloid newspaper Parents Purposes 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.

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.

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. The principle is refraction – light is bent as it travels through transparent materials such as water, and different colours go through at different angles.

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.

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.

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 whethere were any presents lying around. Nothing. This caused a violent eruption of emotions.

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)

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

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.

Consider how to answer a writing to explain question: communicate clearly (clear and structured paragraphs). Point The impact the decision has had on you and others. . . What you and others said. . . How you feel about the decision now. . . The details leading up to the decision. . . Your feelings before the decision. . . Details of any other people involved in your decision. . . Order Topic Sentence Connective

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.

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.

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 Simple sentences will provide clauses succinct explanations, using subordinating to build explanations information. They are for adding ainformation more vivid picture. The useful linked clauses in complex picture sentences the interrelationships emphasishighlight and sometimes they add pace or between the ideas expressed. They can also drama: simple sentences move fast. be drama short used to slow the pace of your writing.

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 sure you include at least two of each of the following sentences structures in your exam response.

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 midsentence. 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.

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.

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 movementup 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)

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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.