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 pulp and paper products

statement from forest trees.
The woodchipping process begins when the trees are cut down in a
selected area of the forest called a coupe.
A sequenced Next the tops and branches of the trees are cut out and then the logs
explanation of are taken to the mill.
why or how At the mill the bark of the logs is removed and the logs are taken to a
something occurs chipper which cuts them into small pieces called woodchips.
The woodchips are then screened to remove dirt and 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.
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.

Advertisements
Review Lesson

Before you go on to work on the grammar and writing exercises in this unit, read through this
brief review of linking words and phrases for cause and effect. There are three main types of
linking words: conjunctions, transitions, and prepositions.

1. Conjunctions
The most important conjunctions are because, as, since, and so. Because, as, and since
introduce a cause; so introduces an effect. These are used to join two complete sentences (or
independent clauses) together. They are often used like this:

First sentence conjunction second sentence.

For example:

I stayed at home because it was raining.

Or:

It was raining, so I stayed at home. (use a comma before so)

You can also reverse the order of the sentences with because, as, and since.

For example:

Because it was raining, I stayed at home. (use a comma between the first and second sentences)
Note that this is not possible with so.

2. Transitions
The most important transitions are therefore, consequently, and as a result. All of these
introduce an effect. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses)
together. They are often used like this:

First sentence; transition, second sentence.

First sentence. transition, second sentence.

For example:

It was raining; therefore, I stayed home.

Or:

It was raining. Consequently, I stayed at home.

3. Prepositions
The most important prepositions are due to and because of. Both of these introduce a cause in
the form of a noun phrase. They are often used like this:

Sentence due to noun phrase.

Because of noun phrase, sentence.

For example:

I stayed at home due to the rain.

Or:

Because of the rain, I stayed at home.

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

Continue with the exercises