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Other Forms of Explanatory Writing

Imagine that you were stranded on an asteroid. What would you do? If you had Internet access, you could message or email for help. You might also learn how to order a ride with Space Uber or Lyft Off. Or you might learn how to build a do-it-yourself spaceship. Writing that explains how to do something helps us accomplish great things.

Explanatory writing also does other jobs. It might compare and contrast two subjects (Space Uber versus Lyft Off). It might instead show causes and effects (why rocket fuel oxidizes). This chapter shows how to write these special forms, and how to create an effective response to an explanatory prompt on a test.