This document provides guidance on how to write an effective explanation. It begins by emphasizing the importance of thoroughly understanding the topic being explained. It then outlines the key components of an explanation, including researching the topic, understanding the information found, and planning the explanation. The document explains that a good plan will include an introduction outlining the topic, descriptions of key concepts, causes and effects, and examples of when the concept is useful. It concludes by noting that an effective explanation will evaluate the topic and summarize the main points.

1. EXPLANATION
Wharekura

2. This type of writing is used to explain how something
EXPLANATION works, to explain events and issues or to give reasons
why something happens the way it does.)
How much do I really know about what I am
trying to explain?
If you’re struggling to get some thoughts together, perhaps it
might be useful to research more about what you are trying to
explain. It makes it easier if you know a lot about what you are
trying to explain. Is copying and pasting from a Google search
good research?
Now that I have found some information,
I need to read and understand what it is
saying.
Stop after your read each sentence and ask questions to make
sure you understand what it is you are reading.
When you come to a part you don’t understand, use your reading
strategies to help you.
Once you understand it, think about how it relates to your topic
study or explanation topic, and go to your plan.

3. This type of writing is used to explain how something
EXPLANATION works, to explain events and issues or to give reasons
why something happens the way it does.)
How do I do this well?
Keyword Search – words that I am looking for. You need to
think about what it is you want to know. Refine your searches
until you find the appropriate information.
When you find what you need, write your own understanding of
the information. Re-check with others.
What was I explaining?
Have I got enough information to answer the
question?
What information is useful? What isn’t?
How do I re-write this so that everyone
understands what I found?

4. This type of writing is used to explain how something
EXPLANATION works, to explain events and issues or to give reasons
why something happens the way it does.)
How do I do this well?
Planning is your personal preference. Find a way that is suitable
for you to organise your ideas.
Volleyball
You might prefer to number your plan,
and write down everything you need to You might like to see all your ideas
cover in your writing. around your main topic.
1 Topic
1
2 Descr
2 What
3 Cause
3 How
You might prefer using pictures and
keywords.

5. This type of writing is used to explain how something
EXPLANATION works, to explain events and issues or to give reasons
why something happens the way it does.)
What needs to go in your plan?
What goes into your plan is important.
What information do you put into
each paragraph? Is it in a
sequenced order. Use the present tense.
Paragraph 1 will talk about… Move, (past tense is moved)
Paragraph 2 will have…
Use the present tense. What joining words do you use?
Move, (past tense is moved) During,
As a result,
Therefore,
Use the correct terms for your In other words,
topic. so that,
e.g. computers, I may have hard Now,
drive, RAM, software, This is because,
motherboard

6. 1. TOPIC
• Tell us the reasons • How do bluetooth
for your explanation. devices work?
• Usually a question
helps the reader to
understand what
your writing is about.

7. 2. WHAT IS IT?
• You need to briefly • First of all,
tell us what the bluetooth is a
concept is. This system inside
means what are the different computers
ideas behind your that link them
topic. together so that
data can be
transferred between
the two devices.
Sort of like an
invisible cord.

8. 3. DESCRIPTION
• “How” questions will • You will know your
come in handy here. electronic device has
• E.g. How do you know if bluetooth by the
you have bluetooth? universal symbol below.
Depending on your
• How do we know if it’s
device, you may have a
on?
switch to turn it on, and
a light appears. Or you
• Notice I haven’t said may need to look inside
how it works yet. your mobile device
settings, usually
indicated with an image
of a cog.

9. 4. CAUSE & EFFECTS
• In order for bluetooth to work, you
• Ask yourself need to have two devices with this
ability. Remember, bluetooth is the
questions again, joining of two devices. What happens
depends on why the devices are
joining. You may have two computers
• “How do these that want to send documents to each
other. You might have a mobile phone
work?” connecting to bluetooth headphones
so you can hear your phone call.
• What is happening • When bluetooth is working, two
devices are joined wirelessly, and
with… data is sent between the two
devices.
• Usually, one devices recieves the
• What happens information, and the other device
sends the information. If the
when… receving device is a set of
headphones, then the information
sent will come out on the other
device as sound.

10. 5. WHEN/WHY IT WORKS.
• Bluetooth is very handy
• When do you need because you don’t need wires
this? to join your devices
together. It is very handy
• When is this useful? for travelling in vehicles,
because you can talk and
• When does this listen at the click of a
happen? button. There are many
examples of when you might
• Why do we use this? want to join two devices
together. My friends and I
like to play games against
each other from our own
comfy seats!

11. 6. INTERESTING COMMENTS
• Now the rest • Bluetooth devices
becomes easy. You can be made so that
may have found they can only receive
something very information, not
interesting about send it. That usually
your topic. happens on mobile
phones so people
can’t send their
ringtones to each
other.

12. 7. SPECIAL FEATURES
• There may be • Bluetooth devices
something that have revolutionised
stands out from your the way we transfer
topic. information quickly
• Your topic may be between computers.
useful, or helpful, You no longer need
and that needs to be cords to join devices
mentioned. together.

13. 8. EVALUATION
• Bluetooth devices are very
• Now you need to sum useful at home, at school, and
up all your at work. People now have an
easy way of getting
information from information to one another.
People’s lives are also made
your writing. easier, without having to
worry about tangled cords,
• I think that… and different connection
ports.
• From what I have • From what I have learnt, I
think there will be faster and
learnt… better ways of transferring
data to one another in the
near future. This has been a
very helpful piece of
technology.