Features of an Explanation Text

This power point discusses what the text type, explanation, is. It also presents its language features.

1. Features of
an
Explanation
Text

2. What is an explanation text?
Explanation texts are writings based on
facts used to explain the sequence, cause
and effect of an event.

3. What is an explanation text?
The purpose of an explanation is to give
explanations how things work and why
things happen.

4. Who can give examples of
explanation text?

5. •1. Sequential- details the stages in an event
For example:
The Life Cycle of a Mosquito
From a Seed to a Tree
Common Explanation Texts:

6. Life Cycle of a Frog

7. From a Seed to a Tree

8. •2. Causal- details what causes the change
from one stage to the next
For example:
How Digestion Occurs
Why Earthquakes Occur

9. How Digestion Occurs

10. How Earthquake Occurs

11. •3. Consequential- explains effects and
outcomes of processes
For example:
In Science: Explain the causes of climate
change
In History: Explain the effects of the
Spanish colonization

12. Tsunamis occur when there is a large-scale disturbance
of the sea. The most common causes are earthquakes,
but volcanic eruptions or landslides can also have the
same effect, forcing a vast amount of water suddenly
upwards, creating enormous waves which can hit land
at up to 45mph, often with devastating effect.

13. 1.Explanation text answers the questions
“how” and “why”.
For example:
How does an IPod work?
Why do things float or sink?

14. 2. They have a clear title.
For example:
The Water Cycle
The Life Cycle of a Frog
How do CCTVs work?

15. The Water Cycle

16. 3. Ideas are grouped in paragraphs.

17. 4. The first paragraph introduces the
subject.

19. 5. There are at least 3 sentences in a
paragraph.

20. 6. Explanation text uses cause/effect signal
words such as:
then, as a result, so, if, because, therefore

21. 7. It uses time signal words such as:
first, then, next, after, finally

22. 8. They are written in present tense.
For example: are, turns, happens

23. 9. They use action words (verbs). For
example: falls, rises, changes