Explanation Texts

Explanation

What is it?

Explanation is a kind of text that informs the process relating to forming of natural, social, scientific and cultural phenomena. It explains ‘why’ or ‘how’ the phenomena happen or why things are similar or different. This text is frequently found in science, geography and history text books. You may often get confused between explanation text and procedure text. Explanation text says about how or why something occurs; while procedure text comes with the instruction on how something is accomplished.

Social Function

Shortly it can be said that an explanation text is used to tell how or why something happens or explains the process involved in the formation or working of natural or socio-cultural phenomena.

Generic Structure

General statement
It states the phenomenon issue which will be explained.
Sequenced explanation
It is the main part of the text which explains a series of steps or events which interrelate to form the thing or a sequenced explanation of why or how the phenomenon issue occurs.

Language Features

Using chronological connection e.g.: first, next, then etc.
Using simple present tense e.g. Seasons come to us regularly
Using technical terms e.g.: evaporation, degradation
Using action verbs e.g.: runs, develops, becomes
Using Passive voice e.g. The greenhouse effect can be used to designate two different things Using conjunction which shows cause and effect e.g.: because of, due to, therefore, as a result, etc.
The Explanation Text Examples:
  1. How does global warming happen?
  2. Why is snow the color white?
  3. Formation of the Solar System
  4. Why do hallucinations occur?
  5. Where does wind come from?
  6. Why is benzene stable?
  7. Why does My Belly button Smell?
  8. All about Tsunami
  9. Why is Arizona so hot?
  10. Why do Lakes turnover?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Adverbs of Comment

Adverbs of Comment Adverbs of comment state a comment, or opinion about a situation. Adverbs of comment among others are: actually, apparently, certainly, clearly, cleverly, confidentially, definitely, disappointingly, foolishly, fortunately honestly, happily, hopefully, ideally, kindly, luckily, naturally, obviously, possibly, presumably, seriously, simply, surely, surprisingly, thankfully, undoubtedly, unfortunately, wisely, etc. Adverbs of comment are usually placed at the beginning of a sentence and are separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Examples: 1. Definitely , I don’t agree with your plan. 2. Obviously , she refused to participate in that program. 3. Clearly , the teacher explained the subject. 4. Cleverly , he fixed my broken tablet. 5. Foolishly , the boy kicked the ball to his own goalpost. Adverbs of comment also can be placed in mid-position, before the main verb but after be. Examples: 1. We certainly enjoyed the concert. 2. He sur...
Read more

News Item Text Blood Test Predicts When You’ll Die

The following is the example of News Item Text. For the definition of News Item Text and its explanation, just click here ! Blood Test Predicts When You’ll Die [caption id="attachment_1249" align="aligncenter" width="168"] Blood Test[/caption] Breaking News English, 19th May, 2011 Would you like to know when you’ll die? It’s a scary question for many, but one which could be answered using a new blood test. Spanish scientists have invented such a test that they say will estimate how much longer you will live. The $700 test measures the length of telomeres in our DNA. Telomeres control how often our cells divide to make new ones and are thus responsible for aging. They limit the length of our lifespan. The company behind the project, Life Length, says the test will give people an idea of the speed at which they are ageing and a prediction of when the end might come. Critics have been quick to attack the test. They say it is unethical, unreliab...
Read more

Descriptive Text Columbia University

The following is the example of Descriptive Text. For the definition of Descriptive Text and its explanation, just click here ! Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York (Columbia University) is a private Ivy League research university in New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country’s nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution. Today the University operates four global centers overseas in Amman, Jordan; Beijing, China; Paris, France; and Mumbai, India. The University was founded in 1754 as King’s College by royal charter of George II of Great Britain. After the American Revolutionary War King’s College briefly became a state entity, and was renamed Columbia College in 1784. The University now operates under a 1787 charter that places the institution under a private board of trustees, and in 1896 it was further rena...
Read more