TASK 1 M5 LA 1

Task 1: Understanding the nature of explanation texts

Explanation Text

The Social Function of Explanation Text

Explanation text is a kind of text that has social purpose to explain how and why something works
or happens.Explanations play a valuable role in building and storing our knowledge. They are a
central part of scientific writing and expressing scientific expertise.

There are two types of explanations text.

1. The first type explains an occurrence or how something works.

For example: “How a kettle boils water”; “How a television works”; “How avalanches occur”
etc.
2. The second type explains why things happen.
For example: “Why objects expand”; “Why we have a water cycle”, etc.

The Text Structures of Explanation Text

 Title
Explanations have a title that prepares and leads the reader into the text.
 General statement
The first paragraph has general statement that introduces or identifies the scientific or technical
phenomenon.
 Sequenced statements
The explanation sequence should be made up of a series of happening or actions that are the
focus of the explanation text type. The logically sequenced paragraphs explain why or how
something happens rather than focusing on an object. Generally, there is no human involved in
the process of events in an explanation.
 Concluding statement
An optional concluding statement ca tie up the explanation.
 Labeled diagrams and flow charts
Labeled diagrams and flow chart can be used to clarify information or to add additional
information not included in the explanation. In particular, in scientific texts accurate diagrams
and illustrations are important to support the text.

Language Features of Explanation Texts

 Vocabulary: general nouns, technical language, noun groups

 Grammar: action verbs, ‘timeless’ present tense, passives, adverbial phrases, causal &
temporal connectives.
Explanation Text Quiz

No STATEMENTS TRUE FALSE

√ (X)

1 Explanations answer the questions on ‘how’ something works or ‘why’ √

something happens.

2 An example of natural explanation text would have a title like ‘How ice √
flowers are formed’.

3 An example of mechanical explanation text would be a short text titled X

‘How to prepare pancakes’.

4 An explanation text begins with a general statement that introduces the √

phenomenon to discuss in the text.

5 The first paragraph has a general statement that introduces or identifies √

the scientific or technical phenomenon.

6 The body of an explanation text consist of a series of sequenced √

statements about the process explained.

7 ‘present tense’ is used to describe actions involved in the process. √

8 Connectives such as first, then, after, finally, so, as a consequence are used √
to show cause and effect relationship in explanations

9 The use of passive voice is optional in explanations. X

10 Graphic organizers (GO) such as tables, charts and diagrams are commonly X
used in explanations as decorations.