Reading

1. Definition of Explanation Text
The explanation text type tells how or why something occurs. It looks at the steps
rather than the things. The purpose of an explanation is to tell each step of the process (the
how) and to give reasons (the why). (Mark Anderson and Kathy Anderson, 1997:81)
Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific,
and cultural phenomena.
According to Mark Anderson and Kathy Anderson (1997: 82) says that the
explanation text type is often used to tell how and why thing (phenomena) occur in nature.
Some examples of explanations are: How something occurs, why something happened, why
things are a like or different, how to solve a problem, etc.
Generic structure
According to Mark Anderson and Kathy Anderson (1997: 82) features of an
explanation consists of
a. Constructing a written explanation
The steps for constructing a written explanation are:
 A general statements about the event or thing
 A series of paragraphs that tell the how’s or why’s
 A concluding paragraph
b. Language features in an explanation
The language features usually found in an explanation are:
 Technical language
 Words that show cause and effect
 Use of the timeless present tense
Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social,
scientific, and culture phenomena.
Generic structure of explanation:
General statement : stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained
Sequenced explanation : stating the series of steps which explain the phenomena.
(Source: http//www.english.com.what-is-explanation.html)

2. 2. Example of explanation text:
How does Rain Happen?
Rain is the primary source of fresh water for most areas of the world, providing
suitable conditions for diverse ecosystems, as well as water for hydroelectric power plants
and crop irrigation.
The phenomenon of rain is actually a water circle. The concept of the water cycle
involves the sun heating the Earth's surface water and causing the surface water to evaporate.
The water vapor rises into the Earth's atmosphere. The water in the atmosphere cools and
condenses into liquid droplets. The droplets grow until they are heavy and fall to the earth as
precipitation which can be in the form of rain or snow.
However, not all rain reaches the surface. Some evaporates while falling through dry
air. This is called virga, a phenomenon which is often seen in hot, dry desert regions.
Explanation Text
In this part of the text, you will learn how to:
• Identify the structure of explanation texts;
• Read and understand explanation texts;.
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' about the forming of
the phenomena. It is often found in science, geography and history text books.
Generic structures of explanation text :
a. General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained.
b. Sequenced explanation; stating series of steps which explain the phenomena.

3. Language features of explanation :
a. Featuring generic participant
b. Using chronological connection
c. Using passive voice pattern
d. Using simple present tense
The Difference Between Explanation and Procedure Text
Seeing the social function, both procedure and explanation texts have the similarity in
which both of them describe how to make or do something. They give the detail
descriptions on something, phenomena, goods, product, case or problem.
To see the differences between explanation and procedure, we have to analyze the
dominant language features and how the texts are used.
Procedure is commonly called as an instruction text. It uses a pattern of command in
building the structure. It uses the “to infinitive verb” which is omitted the “to” as well. It is
mainly used to describe how to make something which is close to our daily activity. How
to make a cup of tea, how to make a good kite, etc. are the best example of a procedure
text.
On the other hand; explanation commonly uses the passive voice in building the text. It
is used such as in a scientific written material. It describes how certain phenomenon or
event happens. How a tornado formed, how tsunami works are the best examples of
explanation texts.
In conclusion, what makes superficially different is the way how they are structured. In
one side, explanation text is formed in the mode of description. It focuses on the thing
which is explained. In the other side, Procedure text is constructed in the mode of
instruction and command. That is why Procedure is sometimes called instruction text. It
focuses on the second person to explain how to form something.
Read and understand the following examples of explanation text!
Text 1
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.
Generic Structure Analysis:
 General statement; stating the phenomenon in which 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.

4.  Using chronological connection; then, so, but.
 Using passive voice; you would be forgiven.
 Using present tense; the earth is actually closer to the sun.
Text 2
How Chocolate is made?
Have we wondered how we get chocolate from? Well this time we will enter the amazing
world of chocolate so we can understand exactly we are eating.
Chocolate starts a tree called cacao tree. This tree grows in equatorial regions,
especially in place such as South America, Africa, and Indonesia. The cacao tree
produces a fruit about the size of a small pine apple. In side the fruits are the tree's
seeds. They are also known as coco beans.
Next, the beans are fermented for about a week, dried in the sun. After that they are
shipped to the chocolate maker. The chocolate maker starts by roasting the beans to
bring out the flavour. Different beans from different places have different qualities and
flavour. So they are often shorted and blended to produce a distinctive mix.
The next process is winnowing. The roasted beans are winnowed to remove the meat
nib of the cacao bean from its shell. Then the nibs are blended. The blended nibs are
ground to make it a liquid. The liquid is called chocolate liquor. It tastes bitter.
All seeds contain some amount of fat and cacao beans are not different. However,
cacao beans are half fat, which is why the ground nibs from liquid. It is pure bitter
chocolate.
Generic structures of of the text above:
 General statement; it is a statement which says about chocolate and how it is
formed
 Sequenced explanation; it is a series of explanation on how chocolate is formed
before we eat. First, the chocolate is coming from the cacao tree. Then it is fermented
and ship to the chocolate producer. The cacao bean then are roasted and winnowed.
Text 3
Why Eiffel Tower was Built?
If we talk about the Wonders of the World buildings, then we will see Eiffel Tower as one
of them. However many of us do not know the tower’s past history on why it was build.
Everything has the reasonable background, especially for the tower which is to be one of
the most recognized buildings in the world.
Primarily, the Eiffel Tower was built for the World Exhibition. It was called Paris
Exposition in 1889. The exhibition was organized to celebrate the 100th anniversary of
the French Revolution. The purpose of building Eiffel Tower in such structure was to
show to the world France’s advancement of technology and beauty. The Eiffel Tower
was designed by Gustave Eiffel. It seemed that then the name of the tower was derived
from the designer’s last name, “Eiffel”
Another reason on why the tower was built was for scientific progress. Although few
realized it, the Eiffel Tower would become the prominent structure in terms of science
and technology. Many experiment with temperature, pressure and pendulums were
performed atop the unique famous building. Additionally the Eiffel Tower was used for
radio transmission tower. Many experiments were conducted atop the Eiffel Tower for
radio transmission advancement. Once the Eiffel Tower was proposed to be demolished
but it was spared because the tower had the promising future as a radio tower.

5. From the example of explanation text above, we see that it has the generic
structure as follow:
 General Statement; the introduction of the passage on why the Eiffel Tower was
built.
 Sequenced Explanation; this is the main element of explanation text. This
explanation is explored to answer the “why” or “how” question introduced in the general
statement. From the example above, the text was written to explain why, not how, the
Eiffel Tower was built. Then it elaborates the reasons. First is for the show case and the
second is for scientific and technological purposes.