2. Overview
Definitions
How to Explain
Finding the Right Level
Ten Ways to Explain Things More Effectively
3. Definition
ex·plain
verb (used with object)
1. to make plain or clear; render understandable or
intelligible: to explain an obscure point.
2. to make known in detail: to explain how to do
something.
3. to assign a meaning to; interpret: How can you
explain such a silly remark?
4. to make clear the cause or reason of; account for: I
cannot explain his strange behavior.
verb (used without object)
5. to give an explanation.
Source: Dictionary.com
4. Definition
ex·pla·na·tion
noun
1. the act or process of explaining.
2. something that explains; a statement made to clarify
something and make it understandable; exposition:
a) an explanation of a poem.
3. a meaning or interpretation:
a) to find an explanation for a mystery.
4. a mutual declaration of the meaning of words spoken,
actions, motives, etc., with a view to adjusting a
misunderstanding or reconciling differences:
a) After a long and emotional explanation they were friends
again. Source: Dictionary.com
5. How To Explain
When we explain, our goal is to make things clear.
In order to do this, we need several “tools” in our
verbal “toolbox”.
Clarity
Details
Reasons
Honesty
Foreshadowing
Logical connectors
Finding the right level
6. Clarity
Being clear about what you are talking about.
Give details: where, when, who, what, when, and
how.
Instead of saying:
It is there.
-say-
The book is on the desk.
(what) (where)
7. Clarity
Avoid pronouns and use nouns instead.
Answer the question “who?” or “what?”
A noun is a name for a person, place, thing or
idea.
Ex. University, Grape Street, girlfriend, compassion,
etc.
A pronoun is a word used to substitute for a
noun.
Ex. He, she,Source: Dr. Deborah Mowshowitz,
it, they, we, me, him, her, us, them,
Department of Biological Sciences,
etc. Columbia University
8. Clarity
Use active, descriptive verbs instead of passive,
boring ones.
Answer the question “how?”
Note: “be” is a passive verb
Instead of saying:
We went there.
-say-
My family and I drove to the Lehigh Valley Mall.
9. Clarity
So remember, to be clear:
Give details
Use nouns, not pronouns
Use descriptive verbs
10. Reasons
When you explain, it is important to give the reasons
behind your thoughts or actions.
Answer the question “why?”
Instead of saying:
I’m leaving.
-say-
I’m leaving now so I can catch my bus on time.
11. Reasons
When giving reasons it is important to be honest.
If you don’t know how to explain something, it is okay
to say “I don’t know.”
It is usually better to be honest about your reasons
for something than to lie.
If you lie, the reasons you invent may not make sense.
If you lie, you may forget the reasons you gave and
the person will find out later (and may be hurt or
angry).
12. Foreshadowing
Before you attempt to explain anything, say, in advance:
(a) what you are about to explain
Listeners feel much more comfortable when they know
what is coming and approximately how you are going
to get there.
(b) why you are bothering to explain it.
Listeners will be much more willing to concentrate on
details if they know why they matter.
Source: Dr. Deborah Mowshowitz,
Department of Biological Sciences,
Columbia University
13. Foreshadowing
Example
First you say “Let me explain how to get to Brooklyn
– it will take 3 trains.”
Then explain: Why do we want to go to Brooklyn in
the first place? Why go now?
Then you go into the details of which you take first,
where you transfer, etc.
Source: Dr. Deborah Mowshowitz
14. Logical Connectors
Logical connectors are used to signal the relationship
between what you are about to say and what you
have already said.
They are also known as transition words.
15. Logical Connectors
Function: Show
Function: To Add Similarity
again moreover
to as well as
and together with
also of course
then likewise
equally comparatively
identically correspondingly
like similarly
as furthermore
too additionally
Source: http://www.smart-
words.org/transition-words.html
16. Logical Connectors
Function: Contrast Function: Contradiction
although this may be true but whereas
different from (and) still despite
of course ..., but unlike conversely
on the other hand or otherwise
(and) yet however
at the same time
while rather
in spite of
albeit nevertheless
even so / though
Besides regardless
then again although notwithstandin
in reality instead g
after all
Source: http://www.smart-
words.org/transition-words.html
17. Logical Connectors
Function: Rephrasing Function: Support
in other words in fact
to put it differently in general
for one thing in particular
as an illustration for example
in this case for instance
for this reason to demonstrate
to put it another way to emphasize
that is to say to repeat
to clarify
with attention to
to explain
by all means
such as
Source: http://www.smart-
words.org/transition-words.html
18. Logical Connectors
Function:
Function:
Cause/Condition Effect/Consequence
in the event that in view of as a result
granted (that) if under those circumstances
as / so long as …then in that case
on (the) condition Unless for this reason
(that) for
When
with this intention because the
Whenever
then
in the hope that Since
consequently
to the end that While therefore
for fear that Because accordingly
seeing / being that of
Source: http://www.smart-
in view of as
words.org/transition-words.html
19. Logical Connectors
Function: Time
at the present time hence
at this instant further
from time to time since during
when first, second
sooner or later once in time
at the same time about prior to
up to the present next instantly
time now presently
to begin with immediately Occasionally
in due time quickly after
finally later
until now formerly last
as soon as suddenly until
in the meantime shortly since
in a moment whenever then
in the first place eventually before
meanwhile
all of a sudden
Source: http://www.smart-
words.org/transition-words.html
20. Logical Connectors
Function:
Space/Location/Place
in the middle adjacent to above between
to the left/right opposite to below before
in front of here down alongside
on this side there up amid
in the distance next under among
here and there where further beneath
in the from beyond beside
foreground over nearby behind
in the Near wherever across
background around
in the center of
Source: http://www.smart-
words.org/transition-words.html
21. Logical Connectors:
Emphasis
important to realize
notably markedly
including especially another key point
like specifically first thing to remember
to be expressivel must be remembered
sure y point often overlooked
namely surprisingly to point out
chiefly frequently on the positive /
truly significantl negative side
indeed y
with this in mind
certainly
surely Source: http://www.smart-
words.org/transition-words.html
22. Finding the Right Level
Not everyone you explain something to is going to
understand everything the first time.
To help them understand:
Try to think about it from their position or point of view.
Try to find out where they got stuck.
Explain in small “bites” (a little at a time).
If someone asks you a question, don’t assume you
have to explain a lot of background material.
Don’t assume too much; sometimes you will need to
provide background information.
Source:. Deborah Mowshowitz,
Department of Biological Sciences,
Columbia University
23. Ten Ways to Explain
Things More Effectively
1. Keep in mind other’s point of view
2. Listen and respond to questions
3. Avoid talking over people’s heads (find the right
level)
Don’t use vocabulary that is too technical
4. Avoid talking down to people
Don’t insult people by assuming they don’t know
things
5. Ask questions to determine people’s understanding
Source: Calvin Sun, CNET Networks
Inc.
24. Ten Ways to Explain
Things More Effectively
6. Focus on benefits, not features.
Features are inherent properties of objects.
Benefits are ways features help a person
7. Use analogies to make concepts clearer
Analogy is explaining an unfamiliar concept using a
familiar one.
8. Compare new concepts to familiar ones.
9. Use the concepts of subsets and supersets.
Ex. Brooklyn is a subset of NYC, because all of it is in
NYC.
10. Confirm that your explanation makes sense.
Source: Calvin Sun, CNET Networks,
Inc.
25. Time to Practice
Please explain to me the relationship between
humans and their pets.
Please explain to me what “the early bird gets the
worm” means.
Please explain the difference between fear and
respect to me.
Please explain the process of buying a plane ticket to
me.
Please explain what each color on your flag
represents.
Please explain the main idea of a book you are