EXPLANATION TEXT

 

Explanation text is a type of English text that contains how or why something happened. Generally, this type of text describes the process of something happening. The things described in the explanatory text are in the form of natural and social phenomena.
Generic Structure of Explanation Text
1.) General statement
General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained.
2.)  Explanation
Explanation; stating a series of steps which explain the phenomena.
Purpose of Explanation Text
Type of Explanation Text
> The First Type ( Text that explains why something happened )
= such as why the glass is dewy when we shower
> The Second Type ( Text that describe how something happened )
= such as how landslides can occur
Language Features of Explanation Text
– Using abstract noun (no visible noun)
– Using Passive voice
– Using Action verbs
– Containing explanation of the process 
> Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific, and cultural phenomena.
> To explain how or why something happens.
In an explanation text, there are linguistic features as below :
– Using simple present tense
Explanation text has the following characteristics:

• Using the Simple Present Tense

The use of simple present tense is because the explanation text contains the facts of an incident or action.

• Using Passive Voice

In the explanation text there must be a sentence passive voice. Why? because this text aims to explain an event or action (object) rather than its subject.

• Using Chronological Connectors

Almost all texts use chronological connectors. Examples of chronological connectors: First, Second, After that. Next, Then, Finally, etc.

• Using Nouns, Pronouns, and Action Verbs

Explanation text is the same as any other text which consists of various nouns, pronouns (subject pronoun, object pronoun, possessive pronoun), action verbs.
Types of Explanation Text
The following are types of explanation text:

• Sequential Explanation

Sequential explanation is a type of explanation that describes the details of the stages of a phenomenon. For example, the sequence of the life cycle in the form of a food chain.

• Factorial Explanation

Factorial explanation is a type of explanation that describes the effect and outcome of a process. For example, regarding the effects of colonialism.

• Theoretical Explanations

Theoretical Explanation is a type of explanation that contains the possibility of speculation that might occur behind natural phenomena. For example, the eruption of Mount Merapi could trigger another devastating natural disaster.

• Causal Explanation

Causal Explanation is the nature of explanation that progressively explains the origin or cause of changes in a problem. For example, the landslide process.

Example of Explanation Text

How a Tsunami Happens?

General Statement

We all know that tsunamis are a series of destructive waves and powerful. Tsunami is the deadliest wave because the wave speed is incredibly fast. But do you know how a tsunami can happens?

Explanation

Tsunami originated from Japan, “tsu” meaning harbor and “nami” meaning wave. They are normally caused by landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions in, or close to an ocean. After some sort of underwater disturbance, this causes energy to rise up to sea level pushing the water high into the air. Gravity kicks in and pulls it down again and then consequently causing the water to filter out into many different directions.

When a tsunami begins to approach the shore the energy in the wave is compressed. As a result, the water is pushed up into the wave, resulting in a powerful tsunami. If the trough hits the shoreline first, it then causes the tide to drastically retreat.

Conclusion

So, tsunamis happen because of natural disasters such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. People who live near the shoreline have to be careful because they are threatened by tsunamis whenever there is an earthquake.

 

Conclusion
Explanation text is a type of English text that contains how or why something happened.