Explanation Text: Definition, Characteristics, Purpose, Examples, Functions, Types
Definition of Explanatory Text
Etymologically, explanation is a term adopted from English "explanation" which means "explanation" or "description". So, simply explanation as a text can be interpreted as a text that contains an explanation or description of a thing. However, it has been specifically agreed that the definition of an explanatory text is a text that contains descriptions of various phenomena that occur around them.
What is meant by "explanatory text"? the explanatory text is text that explains the process or stages of "why" and "how" the occurrence of a phenomenon or event related to nature, social, scientific and cultural.
Phenomena described in explanatory texts, for example natural, social, cultural phenomena, and others. In accordance with the origin of the word, the description given in the explanatory text is a description that provides an explanation or description of something accompanied by facts. This is also the function as well as the main characteristic of this type of text.
Another opinion says that the definition of explanatory text is a paragraph or text whose contents explain an information about the process of the occurrence of a phenomenon, which is either a natural phenomenon, science, or social life and culture. This type of text is often found in science, geography and history books.
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Understanding Explanatory Texts According to Experts
According to Restuti (2013: 85) says that the notion of explanatory text is a text that explains or explains natural and social processes or phenomena.
Meanwhile, according to (Mahsun, 2013: 189): This text is structured with a structure consisting of: sections that show general statements (opening), a series of explanations (contents), and interpretation / conclusion. The general statement section contains brief information about what was discussed. The explanatory row section contains a sequence of descriptions or explanations of the events that occurred. Meanwhile, the interpretation section contains the author's brief opinion about the events that occurred. This section is the closing of the explanatory text that may or may not be present.
Purpose of Explanation Text
Explanatory text can be likened to a text that tells the procedure or process of the occurrence of a phenomenon. With this text, the reader can gain an understanding of the background of the phenomenon in a clear and logical manner. The explanatory text uses many facts and statements that have a causal relationship. However, the causes or effects are in the form of a collection of facts according to the author.
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From such texts, it is hoped that readers can understand the process of an event that is causal in nature as clearly as possible. In the explanatory text, the writer uses many facts whose function is as a cause or effect of an event. In fact, it can be said that almost all of the explanatory texts are facts.
Explanation Text Section
To support this function, explanatory text consists of parts that make up the entire body of this text to become an explanatory description. The sections in question are the opening, content, and closing sections.
- The opening of the explanatory text is the author's general statement.
- The content section is a series of explanations about the phenomenon being told.
- The closing section is the section that contains the interpretation of what is being explained in the text.
Characteristics of Explanatory Text
Explanatory text has certain characteristics that distinguish it from other types of text, while the characteristics of explanatory text are as follows:
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All information presented in the text is based on "factual" facts without any additional opinion from the author.
The topics discussed in it are phenomena related to science or of a scientific nature.
This type of text is informative and does not try to influence the reader to believe the things discussed.
The structure of the text consists of three types, namely general statements, explanatory or causal sequences and interpretations.
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The explanation in this text uses sequence markers, such as first, second, third and others.
Explanatory Text Structure
As previously mentioned in the explanatory text, there are 3 structures that build this text so that it becomes a single unit, while the structure of the explanatory text is as follows:
- General Statement
In the general statement section contains a general explanation of a topic or event that discussed, and this general statement can be an introduction or a brief explanation of a event/phenomenon.
- Explanation Row
In the explanatory row section there is information about the cause and effect of an event or phenomenon, the sequence section contains information about the cause and effect of an event or phenomenon This explanation is structured in such a way that it can explain an event in sequence from beginning to end end.
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- Interpretation
Interpretation is a closing text and not a requirement, in this interpretation section explains the essence or conclusion of the general statement and a series of explanations of the topics discussed.
Explanatory Text Language Rules
Explanatory text has unique linguistic elements and is different from other types of text, while some of the linguistic rules of explanatory text are as follows:
The discussion of the topic focuses more on things that are "generic" in nature rather than human participants, for example, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, storms and others.
In writing must use scientific terms.
In writing, you must use the passive voice.
The writing often uses material verbs and the relational verb "active verb".
The writing uses a lot of causal conjunctions and time, for example, before, first, if, then, so.
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Explanation writing aims to justify that something causally explained is true.
Types of Explanatory Text
According to the NWS Department of School and Education "2012" there are four types of explanatory text, so here are some types of explanatory text:
Sequential ExplanationThat is a type of explanation that describes the details of the stages of a phenomenon, for example the sequence of the life cycle of a food chain.
Causal ExplanationThat is a type of explanation that explains the origins or causes of changes in something gradually, for example the process of landslides.
Theoretical ExplanationThat is a type of explanation that contains speculation about the possibility that could happen behind a natural phenomenon, for example the eruption of Mount Merapi might trigger another catastrophic natural disaster.
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Factorial ExplanationThat is a type of explanation that explains the effects and results of a process, for example the effects of colonialization.
Want to see the full example here: 20 Examples of Explanatory Texts and Their Structures [FULL]
Language Characteristics of Explanatory Text
Based on linguistic rules in general, the explanatory text is the same as the rules in the procedure text. As a factual text (non-literary), explanatory text uses many words with denotative meaning.
- As a text that contains an explanation of the process, both causally and chronologically, the text uses many causal or chronological conjunctions.
Causality conjunctions, among others, because, because, because of that, because of that, so. - Chronological conjunctions (time relations), such as then, then, after that, finally.
Explanatory texts with chronological patterns also use a lot of adverbs of time in their sentences.
With respect to pronouns which he uses, the explanatory text directly refers to the type of phenomenon he describes, which is not a person. The pronouns used for the phenomenon are in the form of nouns, both concrete and abstract, such as demonstration, flood, eclipse, embryo, regional art; and not personal pronouns, such as he, she, they.
Because the object he describes is a phenomenon, not a personal form (nonhuman participation), in the explanatory text there are also many passive verbs. It is like these words: seen, divided, manifested, last, initiated, buried, and born.
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In the text, there are many technical word or terminology, according to the topic discussed. When the topic is about birth, biological terms appear. Likewise, when the topic is about regional arts, cultural terms are often used. If the topic is about the phenomenon of the goodness of BBM, the terms economic and social will often appear.
Creating Explanatory Text
- Determining Development Patterns in Writing Explanatory Text
In order to be presented in a more interesting way, we also need to know the patterns of development. In general, the patterns of development of explanatory texts are as follows:
- Cause and Effect Development Pattern
The development of explanatory texts can use a causal pattern. In this case the cause can act as a general idea, while the effect as the details of its development. However, it can also be reversed. As a result is used as a general idea, it is necessary to state a number of causes in detail.
The problem of cause and effect is actually very closely related to the process. If it is structured to find the relationship between its parts, the process can be called a causal process.
Example:
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- Process Development Pattern
The process is a sequence of actions or actions to create or produce something or a sequence of events or events. To structure a process, the steps are as follows:
- Know the details thoroughly.
- Divide the process according to the stages of occurrence.
- Explain each sequence in sharp detail so that the reader can see the whole process clearly.
Example:
- Writing Explanatory Text Based on Structure and Language
As explained earlier, an explanatory text is a text that describes a process of events as clearly as possible. Therefore, this type of text uses facts more often. The preparation steps are as follows:
- List the topics that can be developed into an explanatory text.
Example:
- In front of the students.
- Play the majoret.
- Do the choreography.
- The audience was crowded.
- Followed by a marching band.
- Students paste the text on youth rights.
- Students covered in banners containing student signatures.
- Arrange the text framework, namely by numbering the topics according to the standard structure of the explanatory text, the paragraphs of which can be arranged causally or chronologically. At this stage, it is possible to create a topic that we consider inappropriate or replace it with another topic. As for the development of the paragraph, we can arrange the framework as follows:
Example:
- In front of the beautiful students.
- Play the majoret.
- Do the choreography.
- Followed by a marching band.
- Students paste the text on youth rights.
- Students covered in banners containing student signatures.
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- Develop a framework that has been compiled into a complete and complete explanatory text, taking into account the standard structure: identification of phenomena, process of events, and reviews. At this stage we must make the topics into clear sentences. We can also make sentences whose function is as a binder, such as conjunctions that commonly used in explanatory texts so that the sentences are intertwined more compactly and solid.
The following is an example of paragraph development for explanatory text:
Sentences in italics are additional sentences whose function is to bind as well as the general idea of the paragraph.
- Editing the explanatory text written by a friend. The aim is to correct errors that may exist in the text, for example with regard to:
- text content,
- Structure,
- Language rules, and
- Spelling/punctuation
Explanation Text Example
Unemployment
Unemployment is one of the social phenomena related to the aspect of employment which is a problem in society. Like a disease, which chronically attacks aspects of social life. Many formulas for handling have been taken, but this problem has not yet been resolved.
Not only in Indonesia, this unemployment problem is found in almost all countries. Every government in the world, makes the problem of unemployment the main agenda. In general, many interpret that unemployment is an adult who is not working, is looking for work, or does not have a formal job and does not earn an income. In addition, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) specifically provides a definition of unemployment, namely; people who work less than 1 hour per week.
There are several very basic factors that cause unemployment. Unemployment usually occurs because of the gap between job seekers and job opportunities. Unemployment can also be caused by structural changes in the economy. This change creates a need for workers with different types or levels of skills. Thus, the qualifications possessed by job seekers do not match the existing demands. And what often happens is unemployment caused by termination of employment for employees and workers.
As a result of unemployment, which causes various economic and social problems for those who experience it. People who don't have a livelihood also don't get income, and those who don't earn can't spend money to buy necessities of life. If the number of unemployed is certain, there will be social chaos, the number of homeless people will increase rapidly, which in turn has the potential to lead to crime.
From all the descriptions above, it is clear that unemployment is a big problem that must be immediately resolved. Real steps that can be taken is to improve the conditions of employment. With better working conditions, social violence due to unemployment can be reduced or overcome.
In addition, improving the composition of undergraduate graduates produced and adapted to the needs of the labor market. An even better step is if we are able to provide adequate skills for those of working age so that they can create their own jobs. All of these steps must be taken immediately so that the unemployment problem is immediately resolved.
Aceh Earthquake
A powerful earthquake occurred in Aceh, December 26, 2004, at 07.58 WIB. The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the west of Aceh with a depth of 10 km. This disaster is the most powerful earthquake in the last 40 years. The impact of the damage includes Aceh, North Sumatra, the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, the East Coast of India, Sri Lanka, and even the East Coast of Africa.
This earthquake also caused sea waves as high as 9 meters. This disaster causes the most deaths in history. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand are the countries with the largest number of deaths.
The strength of the earthquake at the end of 2004 reached 9.0 on the Richter with the death toll reaching 283,100, 14,000 people missing and 1,126,900 homeless. The earthquake, which was accompanied by a tsunami, was a disaster that resulted in the largest deaths in history. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand are the countries with the largest number of deaths.
In Indonesia, the earthquake claimed more than 126,000 lives. Dozens of buildings were destroyed by the main earthquake, especially in Meulaboh and Banda Aceh on the tip of Sumatra. In Banda Aceh, about 50% of all buildings were damaged by the tsunami. However, most of the casualties were caused by the tsunami that hit the west coast of Aceh and North Sumatra.
In Sri Lanka, 45,000 deaths were confirmed and more than 1 million people in the country were directly affected by the earthquake. In India, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is estimated that more than 12,000 people died. In Thailand there are also many foreign tourists affected by disasters, especially in the Phuket area, it is estimated that there are around 4,500 victims. Bhumi Jensen, grandson of King Rama IX or better known as Bhumibol Adulyadej is also one of the victims. Bhumi Jensen is only 21 years old.
Even in Somalia, on the African continent thousands of kilometers from Indonesia, more than 100 deaths were reported. However, most or maybe almost all of them are fishermen.
The Aceh Earthquake and Tsunami also hit Thailand. In addition to occupying the position of the second largest earthquake after the 1960 Chile earthquake which reached 9.5 on the Richter scale, the earthquake Aceh ranks first as an earthquake with the longest time (duration) of fault, which is about 10 minutes. This earthquake was large enough to make the entire globe vibrate.
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