Lecture Notes: Explanation Text

Introduction

• Topic: Explanation text
• Purpose: Understand the formation and structure of explanation texts

What is Explanation Text?

• Definition: Text that explains processes behind natural, social, scientific, and cultural phenomena.
• Found In: Science, geography, history textbooks.
• Purpose: Inform how or why something happens.

Generic Structure of Explanation Text

1. General Statement:
   • Introduces the phenomenon or issue.
   • Provides a basic explanation.
2. Sequence of Explanations:
   • Details the steps in which the phenomena occur.
   • Explains the order and stages of events.
3. Closing (Optional):
   • Provides a conclusion.

Language Features

1. Simple Present Tense:
   • Structure: Subject + Verb 1 (+ s/es) + Object (e.g., "The food passes...")
2. Passive Voice:
   • Structure: To be + Verb 3 (e.g., "is made up")
3. Chronological Connectors:
   • Examples: first, second, next, then, after, before, finally.

Examples of Explanation Texts

Example 1: Digestion

• General Statement: Concept of digestion is introduced in the first paragraph.
• Sequence of Explanations:
  • Paragraph 2: Mouth processes.
  • Paragraph 3: Food passage through the throat and intestines.
  • Paragraph 4: Food's chemical change by enzymes and entry into bloodstream.
• Language Features Used:
  • Simple present tense (e.g., "passes")
  • Passive voice (e.g., "is made up")
  • Chronological connectors (e.g., "then")

Example 2: Natural Disaster (Earthquake)

• General Statement: Introduction about earthquake, e.g., in West Sumatra.
• Sequence of Explanations:
  • Cause of earthquake, movement process, earth's surface structure.
• Language Features Used:
  • Simple present tense (e.g., "happens")
  • Passive voice (e.g., "caused")
  • Chronological connectors (e.g., "after")

Practice Questions

Question 1: Purpose of the Text

• Correct Answer: C (To explain how lightning is formed)

Question 2: When can we see lightning?

• Correct Answer: B (When negative and positive charge channels connect)

Question 3: True Statement of the Text

• Correct Answer: E (We cannot see the negative charge channel)

Question 4: Writer's Purpose about Grand Canyon

• Correct Answer: B (Explain formation of Grand Canyon)

Question 5: Understanding from Paragraph 3

• Correct Answer: E (Uplift of Colorado Plate led to Grand Canyon's formation)

Question 6: Cause of Grand Canyon Expansion

• Correct Answer: A (Erosion by tributary streams)

Conclusion

• Explanation texts are structured to provide detailed insights into various phenomena.
• Understanding their structure and language features helps in comprehension and creation of such texts.

Closing

• "Stay healthy and see you on the next video. Have a nice day!"