Students in all levels of chemistry seem to struggle when answering questions that require them to explain rather than calculate their responses. Their words seem to fail them when they try to explain why the atomic radius of magnesium is smaller than that of sodium or why the melting point of lithium chloride is so much greater than that of potassium chloride. This webinar summarizes common problems and misconceptions that students have when answering questions about periodicity, bonding, kinetics, equilibrium and acid-base principles. It provides teachers some strategies for helping their students improve their ability to answer non-calculator based problems.