#thursdaythoughts – explain, explain, explain, and explain some more
I often tell my students when they write an essay to explain
everything. They usually do not.
I teach my students the 4E’s of Essay Writing. They are Evidence,
Elaboration, Example, and Explanation.
This all means, give me some evidence of that, elaborate on that a
little more, give me an example of that, or explain that a little further. I remind them, if you include all four in a paragraph,
you will have probably answered the readers’ questions, which is vital in
writing.
I try to explain that they need to answer every question the
reader might have. They have to write
with anticipation (expecting questions), then revise with inquiry (asking
questions). I say it over and over… “If a
question pops into your head as you are reading, then the same question may pop
into the readers’ heads as they read it.
So, you should answer the question during revising.”
As a writer, I try to anticipate the questions readers will
ask as I write. I do not want my readers
confused or trying to figure out something.
I think that is cruelty.
When reading, I always have questions pop into my head. I always believe the writer will answer that
question. Sometimes, they do. It is usually a few paragraphs or pages away,
so I have to wait for the answer, but I get it.
When they do not, it frustrates me and I say to myself…I need them to
explain this.
And as a writer, in my opinion, having a reader say, “I need
them to explain this,” is the kiss of death.