Y06W19WR Writing a Clear Feature Article

Part 1

How to Write

Explanatory – Feature article

An explanatory text makes a concept, process or system understandable to a reader who is encountering it for the first time. It is written for someone who wants to genuinely understand how or why something works. The tone should be clear and patient — building understanding step by step without assuming prior knowledge.

  • Ideas & content: Select the most important information needed to understand the topic. Focus on how and why — explanation is about building genuine understanding, not just describing what exists.
  • Structure & cohesion: Move from the general to the specific. Introduce the concept, explain how or why it works, then give examples or consequences. Use cause-and-effect connectives to show relationships between ideas.
  • Voice & audience: Write as a knowledgeable guide. Define terms as you introduce them. Avoid jargon without explanation. Your reader should feel guided through the topic, not overwhelmed by it.
  • Language choices: Use precise vocabulary and define technical terms clearly. Write in the present tense for ongoing processes. Vary sentence length — shorter sentences help when ideas are complex.
  • Conventions: Spell technical vocabulary accurately. Use commas, colons and semicolons to manage complex explanations. Keep sentences clear even when the ideas are demanding.

Common pitfalls: Describing what something is without explaining how or why it works — readers need to understand the mechanism, not just the label. Including too many facts without connecting them into a clear explanation that builds understanding progressively.

Part 2

Your Task Plan for Today

The brief

Question: Write the feature article. You have space for one introduction paragraph and three body paragraphs. Choose the facts that best serve your readers and organise them clearly. Write in your own words. You do not need to use all of the facts provided.

Stimulus: A Year 6 student science journal is running a feature explaining what coral reefs are, why they matter and what is threatening them. Below is a collection of facts about coral reefs. They are not in any particular order.

- The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981
- Coral is not a plant - it is an animal called a polyp that builds a hard calcium carbonate skeleton around itself
- The algae living inside coral tissue, called ‘zooxanthellae’, provide up to 90% of the coral’s energy through photosynthesis
- Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but support approximately 25% of all marine species
- Ocean acidification, caused by the ocean absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, weakens coral skeletons over time
- Coral bleaching occurs when water temperatures rise and corals expel their algae, turning white
- Coral reefs protect coastlines by absorbing wave energy and reducing erosion
- Some coral species can recover from bleaching if water temperatures return to normal quickly enough
- Crown-of-thorns starfish are a natural predator of coral, and population explosions of this species can cause widespread reef damage
- Overfishing can damage reef ecosystems by removing species that keep algae growth in check
- Coral reefs are formed over thousands of years as polyps build on top of the skeletons of previous generations
- Rising sea temperatures linked to climate change are one of the most significant threats currently facing reef systems globally

Task Analysis: This task asks you to write a feature article based on the prompt. Your response should demonstrate clear thinking, good organisation and writing appropriate for a Year 6 reader. Focus on showing your understanding through specific examples and thoughtful details.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • What you’re explaining — define it clearly
  • Two or three key points that build understanding
  • Real examples that show why this matters
  • Why the reader should care — your closing message

Define the key concept

Start by explaining what you’re talking about in clear, simple words. Your reader may have no background knowledge. Make sure they understand the basic idea before adding details.

Examples that teach

Use specific, concrete examples that help readers understand. Show what the idea looks like in real life. Don’t just explain the concept—show it in action.

Paragraph focus

Each paragraph should have one main idea. Start with a topic sentence that tells readers what the paragraph is about, then develop it with facts or examples.

Tone & voice

Write clearly and factually for readers your age. Avoid jargon, or explain technical terms you need. Sound like someone who understands and wants to share knowledge.