Explanation Text
What is it?
Explanation is a kind of text that informs the process relating to forming of natural, social, scientific and cultural phenomena. It explains ‘why’ or ‘how’ the phenomena happen or why things are similar or different. This text is frequently found in science, geography and history text books. You may often get confused between explanation text and procedure text. Explanation text says about how or why something occurs; while procedure text comes with the instruction on how something is accomplished.
Social Function
Shortly it can be said that an explanation text is used to tell how or why something happens or explains the process involved in the formation or working of natural or socio-cultural phenomena.
Generic Structure
General statement
It states the phenomenon issue which will be explained.
Sequenced explanation
It is the main part of the text which explains a series of steps or events which interrelate to form the thing or a sequenced explanation of why or how the phenomenon issue occurs.
Language Features
Using chronological connection e.g.: first, next, then etc.
Using simple present tense e.g. Seasons come to us regularly
Using technical terms e.g.: evaporation, degradation
Using action verbs e.g.: runs, develops, becomes
Using Passive voice e.g. The greenhouse effect can be used to designate two different things Using conjunction which shows cause and effect e.g.: because of, due to, therefore, as a result, etc.