Final answer:
Both written explanations and detailed drawings are useful in explaining rain shadows.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rain shadow effect occurs when prevailing winds carrying moisture rise quickly in elevation up a mountainside, resulting in rain or snow. As the air mass reaches the top of the mountain, its moisture is reduced, creating dried air that rushes down the other side of the mountain range, leading to arid climate conditions.
In terms of explaining the rain shadow effect, both a written explanation and a detailed drawing can be useful. A written explanation can provide a clear and concise description of the process, while a detailed drawing can visually illustrate how the winds rise and descend over the mountain range. Additionally, a drawing can depict the differences in rainfall on each side of the range, highlighting the contrasting climates created by the rain shadow effect.