Explanation Texts

EXPLANATION TEXT
of natural or sociocultural phenomena

Compiled by Ratna Murni. S. S, M. Pd
An English Teacher of MAN Insan Cendekia

Padang Pariaman

1. DEFINITION

An explanation text is a text that
explains the processes involved in
the formation and working of
natural or sociocultural phenomena.

2. SOCIAL FUNCTION/ PURPOSE

• To explain the processes
involved in the formation and
working of natural or
sociocultural phenomena.

3. GENERIC STRUCTURE

a. General statement to position the
readers.

b. A sequenced explanation of why
or how something occurs.

c. Closing.

4. LINGUISTIC FEATURES

a. Focus on generic and non-human participant.
b. Using conjunctions of time/ temporal sequence.
C. Use conjunctions of cause.
c. Using general and abstract nouns.
d. Using technical language/ terms.
e. Using simple present tense.
f. Using complex sentences.
g. Using passive voice.
h. Using noun phrases.
i. Using action verbs.

An example of an Explanation text about
a natural phenomenon

How a Tsunami Occurs Title

A tsunami is a very large sea wave that General
is generated by a disturbance along the statement
ocean floor. This disturbance can be an (1)
earthquake, a landslide, or a volcanic
eruption. A tsunami is undetectable far
out in the ocean, but once it reaches
shallow water, this fast-travelling wave
grows very large.

Text Generic

Structure

Tsunamis occur when a major fault A
under the ocean floor suddenly slips. The sequenced
displaced rock pushes water above it like a explanation
giant paddle, producing powerful water of why or
waves at the ocean surface. The ocean waves how
spread out from the vicinity of the something
earthquake source and move across the occurs (2)
ocean until they reach the coastline, where
their height increases as they reach the
continental shelf, the part of the Earth crust
that slopes or rises, from the ocean floor up
to the land.

Text Generic
structure

Tsunamis wash ashore with Closing (3)
often disastrous effects such as
severe flooding, lost of lives due to
drowning, and damage to property.

An example of an Explanation text about
a sociocultural/ man-made phenomenon

Making Paper from Woodchips Title

Do you have any paper in your bag? It General
may seem like a silly question, but do you statement
know how to make paper? What is paper (1)
made of? Right. And how about wood
chipping? Have you ever heard about it?
Well, wood chipping is a process used to
obtain pulp and paper products from pine
trees.

First of all, the tops and branches of the trees A

are cut out and then the logs are taken to the sequenced
explanation
mill. At the mill, the bark of the logs is removed of why or
and the logs are taken to a chipper which cuts how

them into small pieces called woodchips. The something

woodchips are then screened to remove dirt and occurs (2)

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. Finally, the

pulp is rolled out to make paper.

Considering the complexity of making Closing (3)
paper, let’s save any paper on our
hands. Use it more effectively.