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.

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

Woodchipping is a process used to obtain pulp and

A general statement 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
sequenced explanation Next the tops and branches of the trees are cut out
of and then the logs are taken to the 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.

why or how something The woodchips are then screened to remove dirt
occurs 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 earth’s 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. Earth’s 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