Explanation Text

Expl anation Text

What is Explanation?
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
Making Paper from Woodchips
A general statement Woodchipping is a process used to obtain pulp and paper products from
forest trees.
The woodchipping process begins when the trees are cut down in a selected area of the forest
called a coupe.
A sequenced
explanation of Next the tops and branches of the trees are cut out and then the logs are taken
to the mill.
why or how something occurs At the mill the bark of the logs is removed and the logs are
taken to a chipper which cuts them into small pieces called woodchips.
The woodchips are then screened to remove dirt and other impurities.
At this stage they are either exported in this form or changed into pulp by chemicals and heat.
The pulp is then bleached and the water content is removed.
Closing Finally the pulp is rolled out to make paper.

Example of Explanation Text

A. Tsunami
The term of tsunami comes from the Japanese which means harbour ("tsu") and wave
("nami"). A tsunamigk 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.
(simplified from www.panda.org)