2.3.

1 Definition of explanation text

Explanation are written to explain how something works or occurs. The process of the events
is explained sequentially and with the time related information (Law, 2013,p.17). Explanation
tells about natural phenomena that happens around us.

In explanation, students are able to demonstrate knowledge, to understand the material, and
to answer questions, such as ‘What is natural phenomena?’, and students are expected to explain
how something works or function. The explanations themselves are intended to demonstrate
current shared knowledge and understanding (Nesi and Gardner, 2012, p.36).

Sulistyaningsih (2017) states that explanation text is a text used to explain the process of
phenomena, events or action. It is also used to share the fact of knowledge and understanding. It
can be concluded that explanation text is text explains about natural disaster or natural
phenomena happen around us.

2.3.2 Social function of Explanation Text

Law (2013, p. 17) mentions social function of explanation text is to explain how and why
natural phenomena works or occurs.

2.3.3 Generic Structure of Explanation Text

Hartono (2005, p. 21) states that the structure of explanation text include: First, general
statement which is introducing the topic or process being explained. Second, sequenced
explanation is written in order how and why something works or occurs. The last is conclusion
which provides a final explanation

2.3.4 Language Feature of Explanation Text

Law (2013, p. 17) mentions features of an explanation text may include non human
participants, cause and effect relationship, passive and timeless present tense. Non human
participants mean that the main subject of text is usually a noun. This text explains about the
process or the occurrence of something works, where automatically only a noun can be
described.
 Later on, Hartono(2015, p. 22) explains that there are six language features in explanation
text, namely:

1. General Noun

The general noun includes noun that is known generally. People commonly use
those nouns for communicating, e.g. bee, food, honey, etc.

2. Action Verb

Action verb is a verb that can be seen when we do it, e.g. drink, make, fall, cover,
etc.

3. Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense is used for events or situations that exist always, usually,
or habitually in the past, present, and future (Azar, 1993, p.3).

4. Passive Voice

Passive voice concerns more on events (what happen). The object of the active
sentence becomes the subject of passive sentence. The subject of an active sentence is the
object of by in the “by phrase” in a passive sentence.

5. Conjunction of Time and Cause-Effect Relationship

a. Conjunction of time is used to show chronological order. It may include: first, then,
after, next, finally, etc.
b. Cause and effect relationship is used to explain the reason and the results o events.
The expressions are that usually used because, since, as, because of, due to, so, etc.
6. Technical terms

Using technical term is to make the sentences sound more scientific. For example:
water bodies, breaks levees, etc.