Developed Informational and Explanatory Writing
Write informative and explanatory texts that examine a topic and convey ideas clearly — organising information logically with headings and formatting, developing the topic with relevant facts, definitions, details, and quotations, and using precise vocabulary
What a learner can do afterwards
- Organise an explanatory essay with a clear introduction, logical body paragraphs, and a conclusion
- Develop a topic using well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, and quotations from sources
- Use domain-specific vocabulary and formatting (headings, graphics) to aid the reader's comprehension
The lesson
An explanatory essay teaches your reader something they don't already know, like how bread rises or how a volcano erupts. Your job is to organize the information so it's easy to follow from start to finish.
Each body paragraph needs real content: facts, definitions of new words, specific details, and quotations from sources you trust. A fact without a source is just a guess dressed up.
Mia is writing about volcanoes. In one paragraph she defines magma, adds the fact that pressure builds until gas escapes, and quotes a geologist who says, "Eruptions release built-up energy in seconds." That one paragraph now has a definition, a fact, and a quotation.
Use headings to mark each new section, and pick precise words like magma instead of hot stuff. Precise vocabulary shows your reader you understand the topic.
A strong explanatory essay has intro-body-conclusion order, backs up ideas with facts, definitions, and quotations, and uses precise words and headings so readers can follow along.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.