Well thanks for the help guys (sort of)! My question was pretty simple, I was asking about how to adjust an option on a single effect, not keyframing in general. I understand keyframing just fine, I just didn't understand the SHATTER plugin because it (like many other effects), has different settings than a basic effect like "Noise". All I needed to know what Rick Gerard said, the force position and radius is what causes the layer to shatter. - thanks!
Thanks for the help anyway guys, just before you go bashing a guy, at least try to answer the question first