What is Explanation Text? | Material, Example, and Exercise

Summary

This lesson focuses on explanation text, which is used to describe processes and phenomena, both natural and social. It contrasts with procedural texts by explaining how or why something happens, answering key questions like 'Why?', 'How?', and 'What happens if?'. The video covers the structure of explanation texts, which includes a general statement of the phenomenon and detailed explanations of how and why it occurs. Key language features such as logical sequencing, time relationships, action verbs, and passive voice are also discussed. Students are encouraged to practice by completing exercises related to the topic.

Takeaways

• 😀 Explanation text is used to explain processes and phenomena, focusing on how and why things happen.
• 😀 Unlike procedure texts, explanation texts answer questions such as 'How does something happen?' or 'What causes it?'
• 😀 The generic structure of an explanation text includes a general statement of the phenomenon followed by detailed steps explaining the process.
• 😀 Explanation texts are organized logically, with details presented in a sequence that makes the process clear to the reader.
• 😀 Four key questions are typically addressed in an explanation text: 'How?', 'Why?', 'What causes?', and 'What happens if?'.
• 😀 The text should use simple present tense, as it explains processes that can happen at any time.
• 😀 Action verbs such as 'raises,' 'follows,' and 'changes' are commonly used in explanation texts to describe natural phenomena.
• 😀 Passive voice is used in explanation texts to focus on the action or phenomenon rather than the doer.
• 😀 Non-human entities (like 'the mountain' or 'the river') may be included in explanation texts to describe natural occurrences.
• 😀 Time relationships and logical sequencing are important language features in explanation texts, with words like 'first,' 'next,' and 'finally' indicating the order of events.
• 😀 Exercises like fill-in-the-blank tasks help reinforce understanding of explanation text structures and grammatical rules.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of an explanation text?

The main purpose of an explanation text is to explain how or why something happens, typically focusing on processes or phenomena, whether natural or social.

How does an explanation text differ from a procedure text?

An explanation text explains how or why something happens, whereas a procedure text provides instructions on how to do something.

What are the four key questions that guide an explanation text?

The four key questions are: Why?, How?, What causes?, and What happens when/if?

What is the generic structure of an explanation text?

The generic structure includes two parts: the general statement of the phenomenon and the details of how and why it occurs, presented in a logical sequence.

What role do logical sequencing and time relationships play in an explanation text?

Logical sequencing ensures the explanation follows a clear, ordered process, while time relationships like 'first', 'next', and 'then' help to describe the sequence of events or actions.

Why is the simple present tense used in explanation texts?

The simple present tense is used because explanation texts describe processes or phenomena that are generally true and can happen at any time.

What kind of verbs are typically used in explanation texts?

Action verbs such as 'follows', 'raises', and 'changes' are commonly used in explanation texts to describe natural phenomena or processes.

How does passive voice feature in explanation texts?

Passive voice is often used in explanation texts to emphasize the process or the phenomenon itself, rather than focusing on the subject performing the action.

What is the significance of non-human entities in explanation texts?

Non-human entities, such as 'iron' or 'mountains', are frequently mentioned in explanation texts because they are part of the natural phenomena being described.

What is the purpose of the exercise at the end of the lesson?

The exercise aims to help students practice applying the vocabulary and grammar structures discussed in the lesson by completing a text with the correct words.