Explanation (Type of text)

TSUNAMI


A.      Definition of Explanation text
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.
(It is often found in science, geography and history text books.)

B.      Social function of Explanation text
The communicative purpose of the explanation text is to explain the processes involved in the formation and working of natural or socio cultural phenomena

C.      Generic structure of Explanation text
1.  General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained.
2.  Sequenced explanation; stating a series of steps which explain the phenomena.

D.      Language Feature of Explanation text
1.  It uses the simple present tense
2.  It uses the passive voice form
3.  It uses abstract noun
4.  It uses conjunction of time
5.  It uses action Verb
6. It uses noun Phrases
7. It uses adverbial Phrases
8. It uses complex sentences

E      Example, structure and sample of the questions of the Explanation text

Tsunami

The term of “tsunami” comes from the Japanese which means harbour ("tsu") and wave ("nami"). A tsunami is a series of waves generated when water in a lake or a sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale.
A tsunami will be generated when the seafloor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water. Such large vertical movements of the earth's crust can occur at plate boundaries.
Subduction of earthquakes are particularly effective in generating tsunami, and occur where denser oceanic plates slip under continental plates.
As the displaced water mass moves under the influence of gravity to regain its equilibrium, it radiates across the ocean like ripples on a pond.
Tsunami always brings great damage. Most of the damage is caused by the huge mass of water behind the initial wave front, as the height of the sea keeps rising fast and floods powerfully into the coastal area. (Taken from; English for Senior High school)

Generic Structure 

1. General Statement
The term of “tsunami” comes from the Japanese which means harbour ("tsu") and wave ("nami"). A tsunami is a series of waves generated when water in a lake or a sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale.

2. Sequenced of Explanation
A tsunami can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water. Such large vertical movements of the earth's crust can occur at plate boundaries.
Subduction of earthquakes are particularly effective in generating tsunami, and occur where denser oceanic plates slip under continental plates.
As the displaced water mass moves under the influence of gravity to regain its equilibrium, it radiates across the ocean like ripples on a pond.

3. Closing
Tsunami always bring great damage. Most of the damage is caused by the huge mass of water behind the initial wave front, as the height of the sea keeps rising fast and floods powerfully into the coastal area.

Language Features

1. Use the simple present tense;
A tsunami is a series of waves generated when water in a lake or a sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale.

2. Use Passive Voice;
A tsunami will be generated when the seafloor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water.

3. Use abstract noun;
- Vertical
-  Horizontal
-  Height

4. Conjunction of time
-  When
(when the seafloor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water)
(when water in a lake or a sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale).

5. Action Verb
-  Movement
-  Moves

6. Noun Phrases
A tsunami is a series of waves generated when water in a lake or a sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale.

7. Adverbial Phrases
lake or a sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale.

8.  Complex sentences
-  A tsunami is a series of waves generated when water in a lake or a sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale.
Explanation :
1. A tsunami is a series of waves generated (main clause), while
2. when water in a lake or a sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale (subordinate clause)

-  A tsunami will be generated when the seafloor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water.
Explanation :
1. A tsunami will be generated (main clause), while
2. when the seafloor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water (subordinate clause).

Answer the following questions correctly.

1. What kind of text is it?
     a.  Narrative text
     b.  Explanation text
     c.  Discussion text
     d.  Recount text
     e.  Spoof text

2. What does the writer write the text for?
     a.  To amuse the reader about tsunami
     b.  To explain the process of tsunami
     c.  To present arguments / opinion from different points of view
     d.  To inform and to entertain the reader
     e.  To entertain and share the story

3. Tsunami always brings great damage.
    The underlined word means ..............
    a.  very big
    b.  very good
    c.  very kind
    d.  very pretty
    e.  very keen

Study the text below and answer the questions briefly.

(taken from; English for Senior High School, by: Tuti indarwati)

4.  What does the text talk about?

5.  What is the best tittle for the text?

6.  What are some advantages sending letters through e-mail ?

7.  What is the main idea of the 2nd paragraph?