Explanatory Text; Definition, Characteristics, Structure, Patterns, Examples, etc.

Definition of Explanatory Text

Explanatory text explains the logical relationship of several processes that explain or explain how a natural or social phenomenon occurs. This statement is in line with the opinion of Priyatni (2014, p. 82), which states that an explanatory text is a text that contains an explanation of processes related to natural, social, knowledge, cultural, and other phenomena.

Then, Kosasih and Kurniawan (2019, p. 114) argue that an explanation is a text that explains an event, be it natural events, social and cultural events, or personal events. An experience or event experienced can also be explained through an explanatory text.

So, it can be concluded that an explanatory text is a text that explains the process of the occurrence of a natural or social phenomenon as well as events and personal experiences through text media.

In general, this text is formed through its building structure, including general statements, a series of explanations, and closing or interpretation (optional). However, there are also those who say the structure is: identification of phenomena/events, series of events, reviews. Then which one is correct? Below is a complete explanation of the structure of the explanatory text.

Explanatory Text Structure

The explanatory text has a social function to explain or analyze the process of the emergence of occurrence of something. The purpose of this text is to explain something to be clearer and provide additional knowledge to the reader. Therefore, the structure consists of several main parts as follows (Kemdikbud, 2017, p. 62).

1.      Phenomenon/Event Identification

Contains identification of the phenomenon or event to be explained. This means determining, ascertaining, and introducing a phenomenon or event to be explained.

2.      Sequence of Events

Explanation or details of events or causes that are relevant to the phenomena or events that have been identified.

3.      Review

It is a commentary to the assessment or conclusion of the consequences of the phenomena/events that have been explained.

 

Meanwhile, Mahsun (2014, p. 33) argues that explanatory texts have a thinking structure: titles, general statements, explanatory lines, and interpretations. The following is an explanation of each explanatory structure:

1.      A general statement, contains an initial explanation of the background, general condition, or definition of an event or phenomenon and experience that occurred. 

2.      An explanatory row, contains exposure to a series of events/events or the sequence of why a phenomenon occurs, or it can also contain the sequence of how the events occurred. 

3.      Interpretation, is an interpretation, meaning, or conclusion in the form of the author's opinion on something that has been explained in the text.

Basically, Mahsun's opinion is the same but uses a different, more general term. Why? So that the term structure can be used in any explanatory writing pattern. For example, the chronological pattern (process) or the pattern of causality (cause and effect).

Actually, there are other patterns of development beyond causality and chronology, but they are not discussed here. However, this other pattern of explanation is usually used in complex scientific writings.

Explanation Text Content Development Pattern

The pattern of text development is the development of paragraphs composed of several sentences in sequence so as to form a whole clear idea and in accordance with the intent of the written text. A good text, regardless of its type, must have the right pattern of text development according to the main needs of the text.

This text also has several development patterns that differ from one another. According to Kosasih and Kurniawan (2019, p. 114), Based on the pattern of development, in general, an explanation can be said to be divided into two types, namely:

1.      Chronological Pattern / Process

Explanatory texts are arranged in a time sequence that describes a process of occurrence of a phenomenon or how the sequence of events occurs.

2.      Causality Pattern / Cause and Effect

That is a text that is arranged based on a causal relationship that explains why or how an event or phenomenon occurs.

Characteristics of Explanatory Text

Based on the various descriptions that have been presented previously, it can be concluded that the characteristics of an explanatory text are as follows:

1.      The structure consists of a general statement (initial description of what is conveyed), a series of explanations (the essence of what is conveyed), and interpretation (views or conclusions). 

2.      Contains information based on facts or so-called factual information. 

3.      The fact is that it contains scientific information, for example, about science (Kemdikbud, 2017, p. 58).

Language Rules of Explanation Text

In addition to the above characteristics, linguistic rules can also be a concrete characteristic of explanatory texts. The language itself depends on the pattern of development and the general theme of the title. If the explanatory text uses a chronological development pattern, it will be marked by conjunctions then, then, finally, now, before, etc.

Meanwhile, if the explanatory text uses a causality pattern, then conjunctions, the linguistic rules will be dominated by conjunctions such as to cause, because, consequence, and the like (Kosasih and Kurniawan, 2019, p. 114). The following are some of the main points of the linguistic rules of the explanatory text:

1.      The chronological development pattern will use a lot of chronological conjunctions such as: then, finally, next, now, before, and the like.  

2.      The pattern of developing causality (cause and effect) will have causal conjunctions such as to cause, because, consequently, and the like.   

3.      You are using terminology or technical words such as tourism industry, automotive, agricultural sector, etc.

4.      Using phenomenon nouns such as a tornado, solar system, solar eclipse, crafts, etc. 

5.      Many use action verbs if it contains an action whose object is in the form of nature or social/cultural phenomena such as traveling, traveling, inviting, visiting, taking a walk. 

6.      Tend to use more passive sentences.

Steps to Write Explanatory Text

The steps that can be taken to compose or write an explanatory text are as follows.

1.      It is collecting then determining a topic of interesting events or events that are mastered. 

2.      Develop an explanatory framework in the form of main ideas in accordance with the explanatory structure. Technically, each part of the structure can be filled in by the main sentences first without a detailed explanation. 

3.      We are collecting various materials or data in the form of facts or expert opinions obtained by means of literature study (reading sourcebooks) or observation (directly observing facts).

4.      Develop a framework that has been compiled into a complete explanatory text (complete the main sentence of the framework with its development). Follow the pattern of paragraph development in accordance with the type of explanatory text (causality or chronological?), complete with fact data or expert opinions that have been collected. 

5.      Editing and correcting the written text to ensure that there are no errors that occur in the writing process. Pay attention to the content of the text, structure, linguistic rules, and spelling to punctuation.

Example of Explanation Text

The following are some examples of explanatory texts based on causality (cause and effect) and chronological (process) development patterns.

Causality Explanation (Cause and Effect)

Volcano eruption

Volcanic eruptions are events that release magma deposits from the bowels of the earth driven by high-pressure gases that occur in volcanoes. The results of volcanic eruptions include lava, lava, volcanic gases, ash rain, and hot clouds. In the end, the disaster phenomenon will cause various damages such as environmental damage, polluted air, and direct danger to living things around it.

Causes of Melting Ice at the Poles

The melting of ice at the north and south poles, rising sea levels, and rising global temperatures are some of the consequences or impacts of global warming. Global warming itself is caused by greenhouse gases that are formed from components of harmful gases such as CO2, N2O, and CH4.

Chronological Explanation (Process)

The Process of the Occurrence of Mount Eruption

At first, the ambient temperature will rise, and the surrounding springs will become dry. Then the mountain will make a rumbling sound, sometimes accompanied by a tremor or a small earthquake. Then the magma deposits are pushed from the bowels of the earth by high-pressure gases. After that, volcanic eruptions produce lava, lava, volcanic gases, ash rain, and hot clouds.

Astronomy Development

Since time immemorial, astronomers (star experts) studied the stars in the night sky. Then, they managed to see it through a telescope. Now, we can study outer space up close with satellites and spacecraft that travel to the planets. Astronomers made various extraordinary discoveries there.

The example above is just a paragraph that contains explanatory text only. To see an example of an explanatory text and its complete structure, please refer to the link below.

Also Read: Examples of Explanatory Texts and Their Structures (Natural, Social, Cultural)