The shape of an explanation
Read for meaning first. Select a highlighted word if you want a closer look.
A shared garden needed a clearer volunteer guide. Mei began by asking the coordinators to delineate each role so newcomers would know where one responsibility ended and another began. She then asked them to enumerate the tasks within those roles. A short opening paragraph would encapsulate the purpose of the guide without repeating every instruction that appeared on the following pages.
The revised guide used a simple table to delineate responsibilities for tools, planting areas, and event setup. Beneath each heading, Mei could enumerate the necessary actions in a sensible order. To encapsulate the whole approach, she wrote a sentence about shared care and clear communication. The summary gave readers direction, while the detailed sections explained what they actually needed to do.
Before you move on
Look away from the passage. Can you explain each focus word in your own words?
Original fictional passages for vocabulary practice.