EXPLANATION

What is explanation text?

1.   Definition and purposes of Explanation

Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific and cultural phenomena. Explanation text is to say 'why' and 'how' of the forming of the phenomena. It is often found in science, geography and history text books.

2.   Generic structure of Explanation

•        General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained.

•        Sequenced explanation; stating a series of steps which explain the phenomena.

3.   Language Feature

•        Featuring generic participant; sun, rain, etc

•        Using chronological connection; to begin with, next, etc

•        Using passive voice pattern

•        Using simple present tense

4.   Examples and structures of the text 

Example of Explanation Text

A.  Tsunami

The term of “tsunami” comes from the Japanese which means harbor ("tsu") and wave ("nami"). A tsunami is a series of waves generated when water in a lake or the sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale.

A tsunami can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water. Such large vertical movements of the earth's crust can occur at plate boundaries. Subduction of earthquakes are particularly effective in generating tsunamis, and occur where denser oceanic plates slip under continental plates. As the displaced water mass moves under the influence of gravity to regain its equilibrium, it radiates across the ocean like ripples on a pond.

Tsunami always bring great damage. Most of the damage is caused by the huge mass of water behind the initial wave front, as the height of the sea keeps rising fast and floods powerfully into the coastal area. 

B.  How Day and Night Happen 

(simplified from  www.panda.org) 

The sun seems to rise in the morning, crosses the sky during the day and sets at night. However the sun does not actually move around the earth. Earth's turning on its axis makes it look as if the sun is moves. 

The earth makes a complete turn on its axis for 24 hours. It is called as rotation. It causes day and night. The earth also moves around the sun. It takes 365 days or a year. This process is called revolution. The revolution process causes the changes of the season.

C.   Why Summer Daylight is Longer than Winter Daylight

In the summer, the amount of daylight that we get is more than we get in winter. This is not because as much people think we are closer to the sun but because of the tilt of the earth.

The earth is actually closer to the sun in winter than it is in summer but you would be forgiven for thinking that this can not be true after looking out of your window on a cold and frosty morning.

It seems strange that as the earth get closer to the sun during its orbit then the amount of daylight that we get decrease. But that is the case. It is the tilt of the earth that determine the amount of daylight that we get and so the length of time that for us the sun is above the horizon.

(Taken from:  www.ictteachers.co.uk)

      Generic Structure Analysis

General statement; stating the phenomenon which daylight in summer is longer than in winter. Explanation;   it   is   the   tilt   of   the   earth   that determines the amount of daylight not the distance of the earth from the sun.

Language Feature Analysis

Focusing generic participant; daylight. 

Using chronological connection; then, so, but. Using passive voice; you would be forgiven.

Using present tense; the earth is actually closer to the sun

SMALL NOTES

Explanation Text 

Ciri Umum:

Tujuan Komunikatif Teks:

• Menerangkan proses-proses yang terjadi dalam pembentukan atau kegiatan yang terkait dengan fenomena alam, dunia ilmiah, sosial- budaya, atau lainnya yang bertujuan menjelaskan.

Struktur Teks/Generic structure

• A general statement; Penjelasan umum
• A sequenced explanation of why or how something occurs; Penjelasan proses
• Penutup.

Ciri Kebahasaan: Menggunakan;

• general dan abstract nouns, misalnya word chopping, earthquakes;
• action verbs;
• simple present tense;
• passive voice;
• conjunctions of time dan cause;
• noun phrase, misalnya the large cloud;
• abstract nouns, misalnya the temperature;
• adverbial phrases;
• complex sentences;
• bahasa teknis;
• kalimat pasif

PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS,

to make improvement, so let's practice, guys!!!!

Explore more at Quizizz.

Jika Materi Sudah dipelajari, Latihan Sudah dikerjakan, Pilih Form Assesment

Form