How can you tell what will work as an explanation for doing corrections? Follow these simple guidelines:
They can't contain just information that can be found in either the question or the correct answer.
They have to demonstrate that you actually know something about the question.
They can do one of two things:
Show why the correct answer is the right one.
Show why the wrong answer you put is not correct.
Let's look at an example of a question you might find on a test:
Who came up with the theory of continental drift?
Niels Bohr
Alfred Wegener
Aristotle
Charles Darwin
The correct answer is, of course, Alfred Wegener. But suppose you got it wrong. What would be a good explanation to send with your correction?
Here are some examples of BAD explanations.
Alfred Wegener, because he came up with the theory of continental drift.
This answer is bad because it violates Rule #1. All of the information in that explanation can be found in the question and the correct answer. You need to tell me something that ISN'T already stated.
Alfred Wegener. I got this wrong because I said it was the wrong person.
The only thing this tells me is that you got the question wrong. Guess what? I already knew that! You need to give me more.
Now here are some examples of GOOD explanations.
The idea that Earth's crust may be in motion was presented by Alfred Wegener in 1912, but not many scientists at the time believed it.
This example is good because it gives me more information about Alfred Wegener than what can be found in the question and answer.
Alfred Wegener thought that the continents might actually be moving, and the Earth didn't always look like it does today.
Again, this explanation provides information that shows you have done some research about the question.
I chose Charles Darwin, but the correct answer was Alfred Wegener. Charles Darwin did not come up with the theory of continental drift. He came up with the theory of evolution.
This explanation is acceptable because it shows WHY the answer you chose was wrong. It demonstrates that you understand why you were wrong.