What Is Explanatory Writing?

The purpose of explanatory writing is to describe how and why a particular thing works, or how and why a particular event occurs. Explanatory essays can be written about a wide range of topics. From explaining the water cycle to describing how a plant grows, this text type encourages students to think logically, organize ideas clearly and communicate complex information in a structured way.

If you’re about to embark on an informative writing unit with your students, don’t start until you have checked out this teaching presentation from Teach Starter!

This 31-slide teaching presentation will help you explain all the fundamental features of explanatory writing to your students. The content sequence gradually builds understanding, allowing students to explore the purpose, structure and language features of explanation writing before analyzing authentic examples.

The presentation includes:

• A tuning-in activity to activate prior knowledge and spark curiosity
• An overview of the purpose of explanatory writing
• Explicit teaching about the structure of explanatory writing
• Detailed instruction on the language features used in explanatory writing
• Example explanatory essays for students to read, discuss and analyze
• Class, group and independent activities that reinforce learning

Teach Explanatory Writing Through Explicit Instruction

A strong understanding of explanatory essay structure helps students organize information logically and communicate their ideas effectively.

By engaging with this resource, your students will:

• Understand the purpose of explanatory writing
• Identify the key stages of explanatory writing
• Analyze language features
• Build writing confidence

With opportunities for whole-class discussion, collaborative learning and independent practice, this PowerPoint helps students move from recognizing the features of explanatory essays to applying them successfully in their own work.

Download This Explanatory Essay Teaching PowerPoint 

This slideshow downloads as either a Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation. Use the dropdown menu on the Download button to access your preferred version. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides presentation before accessing it.)

Once downloaded, simply display the slides in your classroom and work through the lessons at a pace that suits your students. Whether you’re introducing explanatory essays for the first time or revisiting the genre to strengthen student understanding, this comprehensive teaching presentation provides everything you need to engage learners and support strong writing outcomes.

More Resources for Exploring Informative Explanatory Writing

Click below to explore more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned resources to use when teaching the explanation genre to your students.

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Expository Text Examples and Analysis Worksheets

Use these expository text examples with accompanying analysis worksheets to teach your students about the purpose, structure and language features of expository writing.

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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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Expository Writing Project – Body Systems

Get your students producing high-quality expository writing with this fully scaffolded expository writing project, where students research, organize and publish an expository text about a human body system.