Explaining: Great inventions | Year 8 English (Cambridge) PDF Download

Writing to Explain

• Definition: Writing to explain involves clarifying complex ideas or processes in a clear and understandable manner.
• Structure: Begin with an introduction, provide detailed explanations in the main body, and conclude with a summary or conclusion.
• Examples: Explain how inventions like the steam engine transformed transportation by providing power to trains and ships.

Exploring How Explanations Are Structured

• Organization: Explanatory texts often use a logical sequence or chronological order to present information.
• Language: Use of formal language for academic explanations and informal language for engaging explanations.
• Example: Compare a formal explanation of the scientific principles behind electricity with an informal explanation of how a light bulb works.

Collating and Summarising Information from Two Texts

• Skill: Gather key points from different sources and summarize them to create a cohesive explanation.
• Practice: Summarize how two historical texts explain the impact of the printing press on knowledge dissemination.

Explaining Things Clearly in Speech and Presentations

• Clarity: Use clear and concise language to communicate ideas effectively.
• Techniques: Use visuals like diagrams or models to enhance understanding during presentations.
• Example: Demonstrate how to explain the development of computers in a clear and engaging speech.

Using Connectives to Explain Clearly

• Connectives: Words like "therefore," "however," and "in addition" help connect ideas and clarify relationships between concepts.
• Application: Use connectives to explain the cause-effect relationship in the invention of the telephone.

Varying Sentence Structure to Make Explanations Clear and Engaging

• Technique: Use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to maintain reader interest.
• Example: Rewrite an explanation of the airplane's invention using varied sentence structures to emphasize different aspects.

Using Colons and Semicolons to Include More Detail

• Detailing: Colons introduce lists or explanations, while semicolons connect closely related independent clauses.
• Usage: Explain the components of a camera using colons and semicolons to elaborate on each part's function.

Writing Your Own Explanatory Article

• Process: Plan, draft, and revise an article explaining a significant technological advancement.
• Criteria: Include background information, details of the invention, and its impact on society.
• Example: Write an explanatory article on how the internet revolutionized global communication.

Responding to a Pair of Explanation Texts

• Analysis: Compare and contrast two explanations of the invention of the light bulb, noting similarities and differences in approach.
• Evaluation: Critique the effectiveness of each text in conveying technical details and historical significance.