This document explains the explanation text genre. Explanation text describes how natural, social, scientific, and cultural phenomena occur. It answers the questions of "why" and "how." Explanation text contains a general statement introducing the phenomenon to be explained, followed by a sequenced explanation laying out the step-by-step process. It uses language features like generic participants, chronological connectors, passive voice, and simple present tense. An example explains how kites fly by creating areas of high and low pressure through the interaction of wind streams above and below the kite.

1. EXPLANATION TEXT
Joyo Lestari
0311 15 030
7B

2. What is the Explanation Text?
Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to
forming of natural, social, scientific and cultural
phenomena.

3. Function
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

4. Generic Structure
General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which
are to be explained.
Sequenced explanation; stating a series of steps which
explain the phenomena.

5. Language Features
Featuring generic participant; sun, rain, etc
Using chronological connection; to begin with, next, etc
Using passive voice pattern
Using simple present tense

6. Example How is a Kite Flying?
A kite is an object which is made from a light material stretched
over a frame. Due to its light material a kite will lift off the ground
and fly when it is tilted into the wind.
A kite is uses wind to make it fly because it is heavier than air.
When wind travels over the surface of the kite, it is split into two
streams of air. One stream of the air goes over the kite while the
second stream goes under the kite.
The upper stream creates an area of low pressure above the
kite. The lower stream hits the kite at a shallow angle and
creates an area of high pressure.
The high pressure area has a pushing effect while the low
pressure area has a pulling effect. The combination of push and
pull can creates enough force to lift the kite into the air.
Kites have been known for thousand of years. They are used for
military or scientific purposes. Today kites are much used for
leisure and competition.

7. From the above example of Explanation text, we can see
that the text has the following
Generic structure:
General Statement; the introduction of the topic on with a
brief definition on kites.
Sequenced Explanation; this is the main element of
explanation text. It explain the important points of the kite.
The explanation of how kites fly is given in order.

8. Source
http://resistancevoices.blogspot.com/2013/02/jenis-jenis-
reading-text-lengkap-dengan.html

9. Thank you for
reading!