Explanation Text

Purpose :

To explain the processes involved in the evolution of natural and social phenomenon or  how something works. 

The genre of explanation text can be found in: 

•  Science
• Geography
• History text books.

General Structure of Explanation Text

• ·         General Statement

It is the general statement about the phenomenonissue which is to be explained.

•  ·         A Sequenced Explanation

It consists of sequenced explanation of why or how something occurs, or a series of chronological steps which explain “how” or “why” something happens.

Look at the example below! 

Pollution Control

            As we know, there are many kinds of pollution. Some of the impotant kinds are land pollution, water pollution, air pollution, sound pollution, and pesticide pollution. These are the kinds that we may face in our everyday lives. How does one go about controlling pollution ?

            First of all, pollution control is the management o waste materials in order to minimize the efects of pollutants on people and on the environment. The quality of the life o the people depends on adequate pollution control. There are at least four ways to control pollution. These are: reduction of industrial activitiues, dispersion of pollutants, removing pollutants from waste lows, and change in the industrial processes.

            In the first approach, reduction of industrial activities, we schedule production in such a way that it will not complicate the pollution processes in the field. For example, we can reduce industrial activities during the time where there is a lot of pollution. In dispersion of pollutants, we try to spread the pollutants so that it will go as far as possible from where people live. For example, we can put up chimneys as high as possible so that smoke will spread far from people. In the same way, some of the big trucks in the street have their exhust pipes on top of the car.in the third way, we can remove pollutants from the waste flows by burying the pollutants under the ground or under the sea. However, we must be careful that the burial place does not leak. Otherwise, we will create a new hazard. Finally, we can make changes in the production processes in industries. For example, we can use materials that will result in less pollutants waste. Or, we can separate or reuse waste so taht we can minimize the pollutants.

            To conclude, of the four approaches above, the last one is believed to gbe the most effective. Now, many industries try to make their production more effective by reusing or recycling materials.