An explanation provides information about how and why something occurs through a three part structure: 1. An introductory paragraph with a general description of the event or topic. 2. A series of sentences that explain the sequence of steps or reasons in detail. 3. A concluding paragraph that wraps up the explanation. Explanations use technical language, words that show cause and effect relationships, and a timeless present tense. The purpose is to clearly describe the process or reasons for something.

1. EXPLANATION
What is AN EXPLANATION ?
An explanation tells how or why something occurs. Explanations can be
spoken or written and their purpose is to tell each step of the process
(the how) and to give reasons (the why) for it.
Examples of explanations texts include:
• how something occurs
• why something happened
• why things are alike or different
• how to solve a problem

2. EXPLANATION
Features of AN EXPLANATION
Constructing an explanation
A written explanation usually involves three steps. First, there is the
general statement about the event or thing. Next follows a series of
paragraphs that tell the hows and whys. The final step is a concluding
paragraph.
Grammatical features of an explanation
Explanations usually include the following grammatical features:
• technical language
• words that show cause and effect
• use of timeless present tense

3. EXPLANATION
The EXPLANATION scaffold
1 Description in the introductory
paragraph
2 A sequence of sentences that tell how
or why
3 A conclusion

4. EXPLANATIONS
MODEL OF AN EXPLANATION
What causes food poisoning
Food poisoning is a disorder of the stomach and intestines
caused by bacteria or chemical in foods.
The classic form of food poisoning is caused by
staphylococci (bacteria commonly known as staph). The
staph germs enter the food during preparation. As a result of
the food not properly refrigerated the bacteria multiply
hourly, contaminating the food with toxin (poison). As staph
germs and their toxins are odourless and tasteless the
contaminated food smells and tastes normal.
Eating contaminated food causes vomiting, abdominal
cramps and diarrhoea within one to six hours.
Thus, food poisoning is frequently caused by
staphylococci, which contaminate food during preparation
and enter the stomach and intestines during eating.
QUESTION
HEADING
Structures
EXPLANATION
SEQUENCE
CONCLUSION
Grammatical
features
TIMELESS
PRESENT TENSE
USE OF
TECHNICAL
TERMS
WORDS
SHOWING
HOW AND WHY
GENERIC TERMS
INTRODUCTION
DECRIBING
SUBJECT