Use these explanation text examples with accompanying analysis worksheets to teach your students about the purpose, structure and language features of explanatory writing.
Explanation Text Examples for Teaching Purpose, Structure and Language Features
One of the most effective ways to teach the features of a specific text type is through well-written model texts. By analysing authentic examples that are appropriate for their age and ability, students gain a deeper understanding of how the text type works and are better equipped to apply these features in their own writing.
This resource pack includes three age-appropriate explanation texts written by our experienced team of teachers. The resource also features a two-page analysis worksheet to guide students through analysing the purpose, audience, structure, text features, visual features and language features of the sample texts. Due to its generic nature, this worksheet could also be used with any sample explanation text.
The explanation text examples in this pack are:
- How Does Water Get to Our Taps?
- How Does Electricity Get to Our Homes?
- Producers, Consumers and Decomposers
This resource downloads as a full-colour or black-and-white printable PDF. The worksheets can also be downloaded as an editable Google Slides file.
By engaging with this resource, students will learn how authors use various features to craft engaging and effective explanation texts.
Teach Explanation Text Analysis with Confidence
New to teaching the explanation text? No problem! Here’s a quick run-down of how you might implement this resource in one of your writing lessons:
- Introduction – Begin by introducing or revising the purpose of explanation texts and discussing where students might encounter them in everyday life.
- Shared Reading – Read one of the model explanation texts together as a whole class. Comment on any specific features that help achieve the author’s purpose.
- Shared Analysis – Model how to identify the text’s purpose, audience and structural elements using one of the analysis worksheets.
- Collaborative Work – Invite students to work independently, with a partner or in small groups to analyse one of the remaining texts.
- Group Reflection – When the students have finished, facilitate a class discussion about the effectiveness of each text and the techniques used by the author.
Download This Explanation Text Sample Pack
Use the Download button above to access your preferred version of this explanation text sample pack with accompanying worksheets. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides file on your personal drive before accessing it.)
Once downloaded, you can print the explanation texts of your choice (or project them digitally to save paper), or apply the analysis tool to any text you’re already using.
More Resources for Exploring Explanation Texts
If you’re keen to explore more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned resources for teaching explanation texts to your upper primary students, then you’ve come to the right place! Click below to access more engaging, time-saving activities for your writing lessons.
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Explanation Text Type Poster With Annotations
Display this explanation text with annotations to help students identify the structure of an explanation.
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Writing Explanation Texts PowerPoint
A 33-slide editable PowerPoint template to use when teaching your students about explanation writing.
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Explanation Writing Project – Body Systems
Get your students producing high-quality explanation writing with this fully scaffolded writing project, where students research, organise and publish an explanation text about a human body system.
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