Explanation Text

 

 Definition of Explanation Text

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.

Generic Structure of Explanation Text

– General statement

General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained.

– Sequenced of explanation

Sequenced explanation; stating a series of steps which explain the phenomena.

Purpose of Explanation Text

– Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific, and cultural phenomena.

– To explain how or why something happens.

Language Features of Explanation Text

In an explanation text, there are linguistic features as below :

– Using simple present tense

– Using abstract noun (no visible noun)

– Using Passive voice

– Using Action verbs

– Containing explanation of the process ..

Examples of Explanation Text

Example of Explanation Text about Natural Phenomenon

How does Rain Happen?

Rain is the primary source of fresh water for most areas of the world, providing suitable conditions for diverse ecosystems, as well as water for hydroelectric power plants and crop irrigation.

The phenomenon of rain is actually a water circle. The concept of the water cycle involves the sun heating the Earth’s surface water and causing the surface water to evaporate. The water vapor rises into the Earth’s atmosphere. The water in the atmosphere cools and condenses into liquid droplets. The droplets grow until they are heavy and fall to the earth as precipitation which can be in the form of rain or snow.

However, not all rain reaches the surface. Some evaporates while falling through dry air. This is called virga, a phenomenon which is often seen in hot, dry desert regions

cause and effect

 

CAUSE AND EFFECT

    Cause and effect are cause and effect. Cause means something that happens, while the effect is a consequence of the incident.

CAUSE

(noun) someone or something that makes a situation happen.

The cause of the flood was the massive of amount garbage thrown in the river. (Penyebab dari banjir itu adalah banyaknya sampah yang dibuang ke sungai)

(verb) an activity that makes something happen.

The massive amount of garbage thrown in the river caused the flood. (Banyaknya sampah yang dibuang ke sungai menyebabkan banjir ini)

EFFECT

(noun) a change which is the result of an activity or cause.

The rain had an effect on her mood. (Hujan mempunyai pengaruh pada mood-nya)

a. Affect

**When effect is used as a verb it changes to affect.**

(verb) to produce an effect; cause something to happen.

The rain affected his mood. (Hujan mempengaruhi mood-nya)

Keywords to identify sentences that contain a cause-and-effect relationship is that there are words like:

Due to ; Because of ; Owing to ; Thanks to ; As a consequence of ; As a result of ; Because ; Since ; As ; For ; etc.

Cause : Because ; Since ; Cause ; Reason ; So that ; Unless ; etc.

Effect : If ; Consequently ; Therefore ; Thus ; Effect : etc.

To express cause and effect in English, the above sentence or phrase will usually be followed by a (noun) or (verb).

1.) A CAUSE-and-EFFECT SENTENCE FOLLOWED BY A NOUN

A cause and effect word followed by a noun or noun phrase usually uses a word or phrase (signal word / phase) such as :

Because of ; Thanks to ; As a result of ; Due to ; As a consequence of ; Owing to

Cause or cause is always written after the causal phrase (signal word / phase) as in the example above. Below are common patterns:

Signal word/phrase	+	Cause	+	Effect
atau
Effect	+	Signal word/phrase	+	Cause

Example : [a noun or noun phrase is underlined]

1. Due to Bella’s nervousness, she did not pass the driving test.

Karena kegugupan Bella, dia tidak lulus ujian menyetir.

Signal phrase: due to

Cause: Bella’s nervousness

Effect: She did not pass the driving test

2. As a result of the rain, we canceled the outing.

Karena hujan, kita membatalkan pikinik itu.

Signal phrase: As a result of

Cause: the rain

Effect : we canceled the outing

3. She was dismissed as a consequence of her ignorance

Dia diberhentikan karena ketidak tahuannya

Signal phrase: as a consequence of

Cause: her ignorance

Effect : She was dismissed

2.) A CAUSE-and-EFFECT SENTENCE FOLLOWED BY A VERB

A cause and effect word followed by a subject + verb or verb phrase usually uses a word or phrase (signal word / phase) such as:

Because ; Since ; As ; For

Cause is always written after the causal phrase (signal word / phase) as in the example above. Below are common patterns:

Signal word/phrase	+	Cause	+	Effect
atau
Effect	+	Signal word/phrase	+	Cause

Example : [subject + verb or verb phrase will be underlined]

1.He's always late because he always stay up at night 

Dia selalu telat karena dia selalu begadang.

Signal phrase: because

Cause: he always up at night 

Effect : He's always late

2. The outing was canceled since it's raining

Piknik itu dibatalkan karena hujan.

Signal phrase: since 

Cause: it's raining

Effect : The outing was canceled

3. Because Bella was nervous, she didn't pass the driving test

Karena Bella gugup, dia tidak lulus ujian tes mengemudi

Signal phrase: Because

Cause: Bella was nervous

Effect : she didn't pass the driving test