Hearing the word explanation that will appear in our minds is probably about the existence of an event. Yes, explanatory texts are more often related to the occurrence of an event and are explained through the text accurately. The statement regarding the explanatory text is not wrong because it is so. Various characteristics shown in explanatory texts are always collaborated with events, especially natural events. Through the following article, it will be explained about the meaning or definition of explanatory text according to linguistics. Let's see together!

Definition of Explanatory Text

The definition of explanatory text is generally defined as a text that discusses "why" and "how". This definition is then re-explained in the literature language that the explanatory text is a text that explains or explains about an event that occurs, both natural and social events. From this understanding, it can be understood because explanatory texts are always found in the form of explanations of natural events.

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Explanation is a word that comes from the English language "explanation" which if interpreted in Indonesian means "explaining". From this term, the definition emerges that an explanatory text is a text that contains processes related to natural, social, and cultural phenomena. culture, and science. So, it is clear that the explanatory text is associated with various phenomena that occur in human life from all aspects.

Explanatory Text Language Structure

The text which is media for someone to express and explain everything does contain certain elements. This is the main characteristic of the rules in language Indonesia, where each particular text must have a linguistic structure to distinguish it from other types of text. The following is the linguistic structure in the explanatory text.

  • General statement, is a paragraph that provides an explanation of the phenomenon or events that will be described in the text. At this stage, the author will state a general opinion, provide a little description of a phenomenon, or word Others introduce the type of phenomenon to be discussed.
  • Explanation, at this stage the paper will detail several things, namely the answers to the questions "why" and "how" the incident occurred. Usually in this section the explanation will be more or more than two paragraphs.
  • Interpretation, what is meant by interpretation is an optional opinion from the author of the text regarding the event he is discussing. This is not a necessity, but it really supports the explanatory text in general if it is read by other people.

The three explanatory text structures must have the characteristics embedded in each scheme. In a general statement, for example, it must be presented in a concise and interesting manner so that the reader is more curious to know what will be explained. While in the next schematic, namely explanatory, it is expected to be presented in detail and accurately. In the last part that does not have to exist, it is hoped that the text can be presented with sentence interpretation that makes the reader more curious and looking for reference next.

Characteristics of Explanatory Text

Some of the characteristics of explanatory text that can be seen to be easily recognized are:

  • Focus on general things
  • Use a lot of scientific terms
  • Using material and relational verbs, conjunctions of time and causality
  • The sentence is passive
  • Aims to justify that an event is true

Explanation Text Example

1. Flood

Flood is a natural event in the form of overflowing of water to land. This event usually occurs in big cities as is the case in many parts of Indonesia. In short, flooding can be interpreted as an event that overflows water in large quantities and hits an area. Usually, floods that occur in big cities are caused by overflowing rivers that are no longer able to accommodate large amounts of water. By definition, flooding is defined as the condition of the water surface that has exceeded normal limits. From these definitions, it can be concluded briefly that flooding is a natural disaster that must be overcome, especially in urban areas.

The emergence of flooding in an area can be caused by two triggering factors. First, due to natural factors. The natural factor referred to here is the occurrence of very high rainfall in an area, or the location of an area that is lower than sea level. Second, because of the human factor. The human factor, as many of us know is human error, namely deforestation, and the bad habit of littering. The two factors that triggered the flood caused the incoming water to become clogged and overflowed into residential areas.

Various losses can be caused by flooding. This loss eventually led to an increasing number of poverty. In addition to property lost due to flooding, other losses have not been counted, such as the constraints transportation, and trigger the emergence of diseases such as diarrhea or skin diseases that are increasingly rampant. In fact, it is not uncommon for floods to cause loss of human life if they occur on a large scale. ‘
As a human being who should care about the various flood risks, it is appropriate to start a movement to promote various flood prevention activities. Starting from reforestation, repairing waterways, and most importantly eliminating the bad habit of littering. In this way, it is hoped that flooding will not hit residential areas again.

Information:
The first paragraph is a general statement.
The second and third paragraphs are explanatory.
The fourth paragraph is a closing that contains opinions or interpretations.

2. Lightning

Hearing the word lightning will definitely remember the sound produced after the lightning flash appeared in the sky. This phenomenon is part of a natural event that is often followed by rain and gray clouds. Scientifically, lightning is included in the symptoms of natural events related to one of the physical sciences, namely static electricity. So, it was the electric current that caused the lightning to appear accompanied by a rumbling sound shortly after.

Lightning is caused by the expansion of air in a short time that is passed by flowers fire electricity. This electric spark has a greater charge when rain or the clouds are thick so it is natural that the darker the clouds or the heavier the rain, the louder the rumble will sound. If you look back, lightning occurs when it is raining or cloudy because the air at that time contains a lot of water. The high water content in the air will make the electric current flow faster and reduce its insulating power.

In general, lightning has 4 to five paths due to the ionization process. It is from this event that ultimately makes the lightning sound longer a few moments after the flash of light with an average lightning power of about 20,000 Ampere. From this explanation, the question finally answered about the cause of the rumbling sound that was only heard after the light first appeared on the surface of the sky. This is because the process of ionization of electric waves and the expansion of air from the occurrence of lightning takes approximately 0.004-0.005 second.

Information:
The first paragraph is a general statement.
The second paragraph is explanatory.
The third paragraph is the closing which contains opinions or interpretations.

3. Landslide Disaster

Landslides are one type of natural event that quite a lot occurs in the Asian region. If defined, landslide is a form of soil movement or geological event caused by the movement of rock or soil consisting of various types. According to research, the occurrence of landslides is caused by two main factors, namely the condition of the rock material and the cause of the movement of the rock.

Natural conditions in Indonesia, especially in urban areas, in general, rarely cause landslides significant. In general, soil materials in urban areas are still made solidly so that sometimes they only cause cracks on some sides. This is different from the case in rural areas where the stone material is still known to be brittle and not sturdy. As is known, rural areas are areas with modest development, even tend to left behind because the main livelihood of the population is from land that has not been polished with solid asphalt.

The occurrence of landslides can also be caused by act illegal human activities such as logging and building high-rise buildings. If in urban areas the land subsides is due to the large number of high-rise building constructions, in rural areas it is mostly due to illegal logging. The absence of trees for water absorption during high rainfall will result in soil cavities. If left too long exposed to water, then the soil cavity will create a larger gap and cause lateral movement. By automatic, when high rainfall and strong winds can result in fallen trees followed by the landslide phenomenon.

As humans who were created to have reason, it is at least important for all people to realize how important the existence of trees and forests around us is. What's more, trees that have been cut down should be replaced to prepare for a better future and no longer worry about landslides. Supervision of illegal logging must also be carried out jointly by all levels of society to avoid similar disasters that will harm later.

Information:
The first paragraph is a general statement.
The second and third paragraphs are explanatory.
The fourth paragraph is the closing which contains opinions and interpretations.

4. Unemployment in the City

A social phenomenon that is often seen in urban areas is the number of unemployed. Unemployment in urban areas has become a common sight because not everyone who lives in cities is able to meet the requirements to be able to work. This kind of landscape has become a characteristic of urban areas which is actually a big problem and homework for the local government. Handling to overcome the number of unemployed has been done not only once, but it is still an annual problem that cannot be solved entirely.

The problem of unemployment does not only occur in Indonesia, but also in many other rapidly developing countries. The unemployment rate that is getting higher every year is also due to the uncontrolled urbanization process carried out by a group of residents village who want to try their luck in the city. Many of them are not aware of the harsh struggles of life in urban areas, or many of them are indifferent and choose to stay in the city to gamble their fate.

The various reasons are also balanced by the unequal education factor. Many of the immigrants who arrive in the city only have a high school diploma who will surely lose to compete with those who have graduated at the Strata 1 stage. Not only education problems, several factors such as job nepotism are also still a pebble for unemployment when applying for a job. Companies or agencies are more interested in hiring those who are experienced or those who have inside connections. As a result, only part of the immigrant population can meet the criteria for the company or agency.

This seems to be a problem for the central government to provide more jobs according to their respective education levels. In addition, holding selections according to ability to reduce nepotism among people agencies will be more profitable for the unemployed who have tried to try their luck in the cities big.

Information:
Paragraph The first contains a general statement regarding unemployment
The second and third paragraphs are in the form of explanatory paragraphs regarding the factors causing unemployment.
The third paragraph contains the interpretation in reducing unemployment.

5. Lunar eclipse

Lunar eclipse is a natural event that quite often occurs in Indonesia. Scientifically, a lunar eclipse is defined as an event when the moon is in opposition to the sun. However, the moon's opposition to the sun does not always result in an eclipse phenomenon. The occurrence of a lunar eclipse can only be witnessed when the moon is at the nude point, which is two points that are formed from the intersection of the plane of the moon's orbit with the plane of the ecliptic.

Most lunar eclipses still show the shape of the moon on the sky. In general, this is commonplace because sunlight turning towards the moon has a The spectrum is reddish which causes the moonlight to still be visible even though it is slightly colored darker. It could also be that the distorted reddish spectrum gives rise to an orange or brown color on the moon as seen from the earth.

Observing a lunar eclipse is believed to be safe even if it is done with the naked eye. Especially for some Muslims in Indonesia, this kind of rare event is used as a momentum to carry out eclipse prayers simultaneously or Khusuf prayers.

The event of a lunar eclipse is also much awaited by the public because it does not occur every day, and raises interesting phenomena in the sky. When viewed from the earth, it is possible that only a red hue appears in some of the moon's appearances. In this process the shadow of the earth has covered the cross section of the moon, and this event can take place for several minutes depending on the location of the sun's rays that are blocked by the earth on its way to month.

Information:
The first paragraph is a general statement form.
The second and third paragraphs are an explanatory form of the eclipse and the occurrence of the eclipse.
The fourth paragraph is a closing which contains opinions and interpretations.

These are some examples of explanatory texts in Indonesian. May be useful.