1. What is Explanation Text?
An explanation text is a type of writing that explains how or why something happens. It provides a detailed description of a process or event, often outlining the steps or causes that lead to a particular outcome. This text usually focuses on the sequence of events and provides a detailed explanation of how something functions or the processes that occur in a system.
Explanation texts are essential because they help readers understand complex processes by breaking them down into simple, clear steps. Being informative and free from personal opinions or arguments, explanation texts are common in science, technology, and other fields where understanding processes or reasons is essential.2. Key Features of Explanation Text:
- Social function / purpose: To explain how something works, how a process occurs, how something is made, or why something happens.
- Structure:
- Title: Reflects the topic or the process being explained.
- Introduction: Explanation begins by briefly introducing the topic or process, identifying the phenomenon (thing) that will be explained (Phenomenon identification).
- Sequenced Explanation: Presents the steps or causes in a logical order.
- Conclusion: Sometimes included to summarize or emphasize the importance of the process. Concrete examples can also be given at the end of an explanation text.
- Language Features:
- Present Tense: Often uses simple present tense as it describes things that happen regularly or universally (e.g., "Water evaporates"). Read more about Simple Present tense HERE.
- Cause and Effect: Words like "because," "as a result," "therefore," "due to" are common. Learn more about "Cause and Effect, Opposition, and Condition Words" HERE.
- Passive Voice: Frequently used to focus on the process rather than the person doing the action (e.g., "Water is heated"). Read more about Passive Voice HERE.
- Technical or Subject-Specific Vocabulary: Uses specific terms related to the topic (e.g., "photosynthesis," "chlorophyll").
3. Example Topics for Explanation Text:
- How does a volcano erupt?
- Why does rain happen?
- How does the water cycle work?
- What causes earthquakes?
4. Explanation Text Writing Checklist
□ Have you given the appropriate title for your explanation?□ Have you identified the phenomenon (thing) that will be explained clearly?
□ Have you written the explanation in sequence?
□ Have you focused your explanation on why and how something occurs?
□ Have you used general nouns (generic participants) in your explanation?
□ Have you used correct technical terms?
□ Have you used present tenses in your text?
□ Have you used the correct words or phrases to show cause and effect?
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5. Examples of Explanation Text:
| How a Solar Panel Works | Title |
| Solar panels are devices that convert sunlight into electrical energy. They are commonly used to generate renewable energy for homes, businesses, and other applications. | Introduction |
| Photovoltaic Cells At the heart of a solar panel are photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells are made of semiconductor materials, such as silicon. When sunlight hits these cells, it excites the electrons in the semiconductor material, creating an electric current.Absorption of Sunlight Solar panels are designed to absorb sunlight efficiently. The surface of the panel is covered with a layer of protective glass that helps to focus and capture as much sunlight as possible.Generation of Electricity The PV cells are connected in a series to increase the voltage. As the sunlight excites the electrons, they begin to move through the semiconductor material. This movement creates an electric field that generates direct current (DC) electricity.Conversion to Alternating Current The direct current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels is then converted into alternating current (AC) electricity by an inverter. This is the type of electricity used in most homes and businesses.Usage and Storage Once converted into AC, the electricity can be used to power electrical appliances or can be stored in batteries for later use. This ensures that energy is available even when the sun is not shining. | Explanation |
| Solar panels are an effective and sustainable way to generate electricity by harnessing the power of the sun. Understanding how they work helps in appreciating their role in reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources and mitigating environmental impact. | Conclusion |
| Photosynthesis | Title |
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll. This process mainly occurs in the leaves of plants. | Introduction |
| The process begins when sunlight is absorbed by the chlorophyll in the plant's leaves. This sunlight provides the energy needed to convert carbon dioxide, which the plant absorbs from the air, and water, which the plant takes in through its roots, into glucose and oxygen.During this process, the carbon dioxide enters the leaf through small openings called stomata, while water is drawn up from the roots through tiny tubes in the plant called xylem. The light energy then triggers a chemical reaction that converts the carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a type of sugar that plants use as food. Oxygen is produced as a by-product and is released into the air through the stomata. | Explanation |
| This entire process is crucial because it provides the primary source of energy for almost all life forms on Earth. Without photosynthesis, there would be no oxygen in the atmosphere, and life as we know it would not exist. | Conclusion |
| The Occurrence of Earthquakes | Title |
| We are familiar with the theory of plate tectonics. According to this theory, the Earth’s surface is made up of several tectonic plates. Among these, there are six major plates: the Eurasian plate, the Indo-Australian plate, the Pacific plate, the American plate, the African plate, and the Arctic plate. The boundaries where these plates meet are often earthquake-prone areas. | Introduction |
| Tectonic plates are constantly moving at an average rate of about 1.8 cm per year. When these plates collide with tremendous force, the Earth's surface can crack, fracture, or shift, leading to an earthquake, specifically a tectonic earthquake. One significant example is the earthquake that struck the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, causing devastating tsunamis in several Asian countries and even affecting parts of Africa. Over 150,000 people lost their lives, with Indonesia (particularly Aceh and North Sumatra) suffering the highest number of casualties, exceeding 100,000.In addition to tectonic earthquakes caused by plate movement, there are also volcanic earthquakes, which are triggered by volcanic activity. These earthquakes are typically felt in the areas surrounding active volcanoes. One of the most catastrophic volcanic earthquakes occurred when Mount Krakatoa erupted in 1883, resulting in the deaths of 36,000 people. | Explanation |
Here are a few more examples of major earthquakes and their devastating impacts:
| Conclusion |
