The Art of Explanation

Why the work matters more than the answer

Daniel, a sixth grader, has always been good at math. His quick mind races to solutions, and his answers are usually correct. But lately, he's been locked in an ongoing battle with his math teacher who insists that he clearly show his problem-solving process. Daniel's handwriting is messy, and he sees no point in writing out explanations when his answers are right. His parents back him up, viewing the teacher's requirements as frivolous and unnecessary.

This dynamic plays out in classrooms across the country. Students and parents alike question the value of showing their work and explaining their rationale when the final answer is correct. But this perspective misses that the ability to explain your reasoning is more valuable than the answer itself.

The "show your work" requirement in math class is about developing the essential skill of structured explanation. When students document their problem-solving process, they're learning to break down complex ideas into clear steps, present information logically, and enable others to replicate their work.

Showing your work is an important requirement across academic disciplines. In history and literature, a thesis statement without supporting evidence and clear reasoning is merely an opinion. In scientific research, where replication is fundamental, explanations are required. A scientist can't simply announce their findings—they must document their methodology so thoroughly that other researchers can reproduce their work. This principle of replicability separates genuine discoveries from lucky guesses or flawed conclusions.

Showing your work is also critical in professional settings. Engineers document their design decisions so future teams can understand and maintain their systems. Doctors write detailed notes about their diagnostic reasoning so other healthcare providers can provide informed care. Software developers comment on their code so others can understand and modify it later.

So Daniel’s resistance to showing work means missed opportunities to develop crucial skills. While his natural mathematical ability is impressive, his future success will depend on his ability to communicate his thinking to others.

Knowledge kept to oneself has limited value. True mastery isn't just about having the right answers—it's about being able to guide others to those same insights and enable them to reproduce your success. The sooner students embrace this reality, the better equipped they'll be for the challenges that lie ahead.

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