A Student Explanation Note is a short reflective note written in the first person in which the student explains to the teacher the reasoning behind their work. Essentially, it’s an additional commentary page where the student tells the instructor why they chose certain arguments, how they arrived at their conclusions, and what they wanted to demonstrate with the paper.
Unlike the formal academic introduction or conclusion of the paper itself, the Explanation Note is written in a simpler, more reflective tone:
“In this paper, I wanted to show that... I included example X because I consider it illustrative...”
It serves as a cover letter to the instructor, showcasing the student’s critical thinking and understanding of the material.
The idea is that as the teacher reads a complex assignment, they can see that the student is aware of each decision made in the text. This note is especially valuable for:
Unusual or complex assignments, where the logic of argumentation might not be immediately clear. The teacher, with explanations, will better understand the student’s intent.
Foreign students, whose reasoning may be harder to follow due to language issues. The note, written in a clear tone, helps to clarify their thought process.
Papers rich in data or theory, where the note helps tie everything together and emphasizes the main points.
In essence, the Explanation Note increases transparency and trust. It’s as if the student is sitting next to the grader and commenting aloud:
“Here, I did this because...”
In cases where teachers may be skeptical of work that seems too good, the note helps dispel doubts by making the student’s reasoning visible. That’s why it’s critical that the writer explains the logical foundations they used in writing the paper in the Explanation Note.
Steps to Write an Explanation Note
1. Create the main work:
Complete the main assignment as usual, following all requirements.
2. Write the Explanation Note:
Length: about half a page to one page (≈300–400 words).
Style: first-person, friendly but literate. The tone should sound like a student writing respectfully to their instructor—neither overly formal nor too casual.
Match the tone to the student’s “persona”: the note should be consistent with the main essay tone.
Never mention any external help (e.g., services). The text must sound like a student’s reflection.
Example opening:
“Dear Professor, while working on this essay, I tried to explore question X from different angles. Before reaching conclusion Y, I analyzed A and B. I chose these particular examples because...”
Structure:
Paragraph 1 – Overview: Concisely describe what the student aimed to achieve in the work.
Paragraphs 2–3 – Key decisions: Why certain methods, sources, or structures were chosen.
Final paragraph – Reflection: “I hope I managed to present my ideas clearly... The most valuable insight for me was...”
This structure demonstrates coherence of thought.
3. Review and deliver:
It’s crucial that the note matches the content of the paper and does not contradict it. The writer must check that all mentioned arguments actually appear in the text and that the tone sounds natural. Ideally, it should sound slightly simpler than the essay itself (since the essay is academic, while the note is conversational).
Guidelines to Share with the Teammates
Quality Criteria
Honest and sincere tone: Slight naïveté is fine if it feels genuine (“I found it especially interesting to learn that...”). Teachers appreciate curiosity.
Specificity: Avoid empty phrases like “I tried hard.” Be concrete:
“I divided the essay into three sections to address three aspects of the question...”Critical thinking: Mention awareness of alternatives:
“I considered two viewpoints but chose to focus on... because...”Literacy: Must be grammatically correct, though simpler than the essay itself.
Length: ~300 words max.
Avoid copying from the essay: No repetition—paraphrase instead.
Polite closing: Optional but welcome: “Thank you for your attention; I hope my explanations were helpful.”
Examples of the Explanation Notes
