EXPLANATION TEXT

Dewa Gede Eka

Fabian Khaliani
XI IPS 2
DEFINITION
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.
SOSIAL FUNCTION
An explanation text is used to describe how or why a
certain phenomenon happens.
To explain the process involved in the formation of a
natural or social phenomena.
GENERIC STRUCTURE
 General Statement
this part consists of a general statement / general
introduction of the phenomenon that we are going to
explain.
 Sequenced Explanation

this part explains about some process involved in the

formation of the phenomenon.
 Closing

the concluding paragraph is presented in this part of

explanation text even though it is not a mandatory.
LANGUAGE FEATURES
 Focus on generic human and generic non-human
Participants.
 Using simple present tense.

 Using action verbs.

 Using passive voice pattern.

 Using technical terms.

 Using words that show cause and effect.

EXAMPLE EXPLANATION TEXT
(General Statement)

Lightning is a natural phenomenon that usually appears in

the rainy season when the sky gives rise to a momentary
flash of blinding light. A few moments later, followed by a
thunderous sound called thunder. This difference in time of
appearance is due to the difference between the speed of
sound and the speed of light.
(Explanation)

Lightning occurs because there's a potential difference between

the cloud and the earth or with other clouds. The process of the
occurrence of charge on the cloud because it moves continuously
regularly, and during its movement it will interact with other
clouds so that negative charges will gather on one side (up or
down), while positive charges gather on the opposite side.

If the potential difference between the cloud and the earth is

large enough, there will be a discharge of negative charges
(electrons) from the cloud to the earth or vice versa to reach
equilibrium. In this discharge process, the medium through
which electrons pass is air. When electrons are able to penetrate
the air insulation threshold, a sound explosion occurs.
(Closing)

Lightning is more common in the rainy season, because in

that condition, the air contains a higher moisture content so
that the insulation power drops and the current flows more
easily. Because there are negatively charged clouds and
positively charged clouds, lightning can also occur between
clouds of different charges.