EXPLANATION TEXT

 

 

Definition of Explanation Text

Explanatory text is a type of text in English that describes a process. Talking about the process, this text is almost the same as the procedure text. However, if the procedure text describes how to do something (process), it describes how a process occurs. In this way, we can see that the explanatory text serves to provide information to readers about a process.

 

 Explanation Text Characteristics

  -Using the Simple Present Tense
This text uses the Simple Present Tense because it describes facts.

- Using Action Verbs
Action Verbs are verbs used to describe an ongoing action. Examples are do, make, create, and so on.

- Using Passive Voices
The use of Passive Voices aims to emphasize the focus on the event that is taking place rather than the subject.

- Using Noun Phrases

- Using Technical Terms
These technical terms refer to technical terms related to the topics discussed in this text.

- Contains an explanation of the process

 

 

Generic Structure of Explanation Text

General Statement
Contains general information on topics to be discussed in the text.


Explanation
Contains a series of events (sequence of events) from a process which is the topic of the text. We can also explain by using the why and how questions, so that the explanation we convey is more comprehensive.

Closing
The closing or closing part is optional or does not have to be in this text. This section may contain additional information or the author's opinion on the topics discussed.

Purpose of Explanation Text

– Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific, and cultural phenomena.
– To explain how or why something happens.

 

 

Example of Explanation Text – How a Cancer is Formed

How a Cancer is formed

What is cancer? It is actually a group of more than one hundred separate diseases. Most of us are fear from cancer It is reasonable because next to heart disease, cancer is the second leading cause of death.
Cancer cells come from normal cells because of mutations of DNA. Those mutations can occur spontaneously. The mutations may be also induced by other factors such as: nuclear and electromagnetic radiation, viruses, bacteria and fungi, parasites, heat, chemicals in the air, water and food, mechanical cell-level injury, free radicals, evolution and ageing of DNA, etc. All such factors can produce mutations that may start cancer.

Cancer cells are formed continuously in the organism. It is estimated that there are about 10,000 cancer cells at any given time in a healthy person. Why do some result in macroscopic-level cancers and some do not? First, not all damaged cells can multiply and many of them die quickly. Second, those which potentially divide and form cancer are effectively destroyed by the mechanisms available to the immune system. Therefore cancer develops if the immune system is not working properly or the amount of cells produced is too great for the immune system to eliminate.