What is Explanation?

1. 1. Definition and purposes of Explanation

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.

1. 2. Generic structure of Explanation

General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained.
Sequenced explanation; stating a series of steps which explain the
phenomena.
1. 3. Language Feature
Featuring generic participant; sun, rain, etc
Using chronological connection; to begin with, next, etc
Using passive voice pattern
Using simple present tense
1. 4. Examples and structures of the text
Making Paper from Woodchips

A general Woodchipping is a process used to obtain

statement pulp and paper products from forest trees.

The woodchipping process begins when the

trees are cut down in a selected area of the
forest called a coupe.

A Next the tops and branches of the trees are

sequencedexplanati cut out and then the logs are taken to the
on of mill.

At the mill the bark of the logs is removed

and the logs are taken to a chipper which
cuts them into small pieces called
woodchips.

The woodchips are then screened to remove

dirt and otherimpurities.At this stage they
why or how are either exported in this form or changed
something occurs into pulp by chemicals and heat.
 The pulp is then bleached and the water
content is removed.

Closing Finally the pulp is rolled out to make paper.

Example of Explanation Text

1. A. Tsunami
The term of tsunami comes from the Japanese which means harbour (tsu) and
wave (nami). A tsunamigk is a series of waves generated when water in a lake or
the sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale.

A tsunami can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically
displaces the overlying water. Such large vertical movements of the earths crust can
occur at plate boundaries.

Subduction of earthquakes are particularly effective in generating tsunamis, and

occur where denser oceanic plates slip under continental plates.

As the displaced water mass moves under the influence of gravity to regain its
equilibrium, it radiates across the ocean like ripples on a pond.

Tsunami always bring great damage. Most of the damage is caused by the huge mass
of water behind the initial wave front, as the height of the sea keeps rising fast and
floods powerfully into the coastal area.

(simplified from www.panda.org)

1. B. How Day and Night Happen
The sun seems to rise in the morning, crosses the sky during the day and sets at
night. However the sun does not actually move around the earth. Earths turning on
its axis makes it look as if the sun is moves.

The earth makes a complete turn on its axis for 24 hours. It is called as rotation. It
causes day and night. The earth also moves around the sun. It takes 365 days or a
year. This process is called revolution. The revolution process causes the changes of
the season

1. C. Why Summer Daylight is Longger than Winter Daylight

In the summer, the amount of daylight that we get is more than we get in winter. This
is not because as much people think we are closer to the sun but because of the tilt of
the earth.

The earth is actually closer to the sun in winter than it is in summer but you would be
forgiven for thinking that this can not be true after looking out of your window on a
cold and frosty morning.

It seems strange that as the earth get closer to the sun during its orbit then the
amount of daylight that we get decrease. But that is the case. It is the tilt of the earth
that determine the amount of daylight that we get and so the length of time that for
us the sun is above the horizon.

(Taken from: www.ictteachers.co.uk)

Generic Structure Analysis
General statement; stating the phenomenon whic daylight in summer is longer than
in winter.

Explanation; it is the tilt of the earth that determines the amount of daylight not the
distance of the earth from the sun.

Language Feature Analysis

Focusing generic participant; daylight.

Using chronological connection; then, so, but.

Using pasive voice; you would be forgiven.

Using present tense; the earth is actually closer to the sun.