Explanation Text

• Definition
• Purpose of Explanation Text
• Generic Structure
• Language Features Explanation Text
• Example of Explanation Text
• Definition

Explanation text is a text that

contains the processes
associated with natural
phenomena, social, science,
culture and more. An
Explanation text is usually
derived from the corresponding
author questions ‘Why’ and
‘How’ of a phenomenon.
• Purpose of Explanation Text

Purpose of the explanation text is to

explain the processes the occur in
the formation or activity associated
with the natural phenomena, social,
scientific, cultural, and others aimed
at explaining.
• Generic Structure
1. A general statement
In a general statement contains a general
explanation of the phenomenon that will
be discussed, this phenomenon could be
the introduction or explanation.
2. A squenced of explanation
A squenced of explanation contains an explanation of
why the phenomenon may occur or be created. A
squenced of explanation in the form of answers to the
question ‘why’ and ‘how’ the author when making an
explanation text and may consist of more than one
paragraph.
3. Closing
Actually closing was not listed in the generic structure of the
Explanation text, but most people assume that the last
paragraph of
the Explanation text is closing, but it is part of squenced of
explanation that
 • Language Feature
Featuring generic
participant, sun, rain, etc.
Using chronological
connection, to begin with,
next, etc.
Using passive voice
pattern.
Using simple present tense.
Example
How a tsunami form
A general statement:
The term of “tsunami” comes from the Japanese
which mean harbour “tsu” and wave “nami”. A
tsunami is a very large sea wave that is
generated by a disturbance along the ocean floor.
This disturbance can be an earthquake, a
landslide, or a volcanic eruption. A tsunami is
undetectable for out in the ocean, but once it
reaches shallow water, this fast-traveling wave
grows very large
A sequenced explanation of why or how something
occurs:
For the sake of convenience and ease of
understanding, we divide it into five stages.
In the first stage, tectonic. Tectonic up thrust in
the form of earthquakes and ocean floor volcanoes
cause vast quantities of water to be displaced in a
very short space of time, generating a massive
amount of energy.
In the second stage, build. The energy form the
earthquake or impulse causes a train of simple,
progressive oscillatory waves to propagate over the
ocean surface in ever-widening circles at speeds as
 In the third stage, travel. The wave lengths of the
tsunami continue to grow, with the wave periods (the
lengths of time for successive crests or troughs to pass a
single point) varying from five minutes to more than an
hour.
In the fourth stage, approach. As the tsunami
waves approach the coastline of a landmass they are
slowed dramatically by the friction of their collision with
the rising seabed. As the velocity lessens, however, the
wave lengths become shortened and amplitude
increases.
In the last, impact. Finally, with the wave length
compressed and heightened to large levels (often
between five and ten meters) the giant wave collide with
the shore causing massive damage.
 Effect of a Tsunami
• Destruction, the amount of energy
and water contained in a huge
tsunami can cause extreme
destruction when it strikes land.
• Death, one of biggest and worst
effects of a tsunami is the cost to
human life because unfortunately
escaping a tsunami is nearly
impossible.
• Disease, tsunami waves and the
receding water are very destructive
to structures in the run-up zone.
• Environmental impacts, tsunami not
only destroy human life, but have a
devastating effect on insects,
animals, plants, and natural
resources.
• Cost, massive costs hit communities
and nations when a tsunami
happens.
• Psychological effects, victims of
tsunami events often suffer
psychological problems which can
last for days, years or an entire life
time.
The devastating tsunami which hit
Indonesia so hard in December 2004 had
two positive effects:
• It pushed the population to reflect
and improve its mechanisms for
managing catastrophes
• In the country’s Aceh province it led
to the end of a conflict which had
lasted 70 years.
 Questions
1. What is the purpose of 2. How many stage are
the text? there in the tsunami
a. To explain the form?
process of tsunami a. Two stages
b. To tell the process of b. Five stages
tsunami c. Six stages
c. To describe the of d. One stage
tsunami e. More than six
d. To entertain the
process of tsunami
e. To inform the
process
of tsunami
3. What happened in 4. but once it reaches
the shallow
fourth stage? water, this fast-
a. Approach traveling wave
b. Build grows very large.
c. Travel What does the
d. Tectonic underline word refer
e. Impact to?
a. A landslide
b. An earthquake
c. A volcanic
eruption
d. A tsunami
5. “we divide it into five
stages”.
What does the
underline word
mean?
a. Append
b. Detach
c. Compose
d. Send
e. Disentangle
The Key Answer
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. E