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WHAT IS EXPLANATION TEXT

Explanation Text is a non-fiction text that explains the processes about ‘why’ and

‘how’ that are related to forming of cultural, social, scientific, or natural phenomena. It is
often found in science, geography and history text books. Explanations detail and logically

describe the stages in a process, such as the water cycle, or how a steam engine works. Other
examples could be how a law is made, or why we blink when we sneeze.

There three types of explanation text

➢ Sequential – These detail the stages in an event e.g.: how a caterpillar turns
into a moth.

➢ Causal - Details what causes the change from one stage to the next i.e.: How a
president is elected.

➢ Theoretical - Details the possible phenomena behind a natural or created process
that is not fully understood. e.g. What caused the Nazi's to lose World War II.

An explanation text is similar to a procedural text, and these can often be confused, however

an explanation text explains the how and why behind a process such as
➢ What causes a Tsunami?

➢ Why are our rain forests disappearing?

➢ The process of making aluminum.
A procedural text is generally instructing how to make or do something such as recipe.

Although they appear similar, they are very different when compared side by side.
➢ How to make fried rice.

➢ How to ride bike.
➢ How to play basketball.

Read the text bellow!

Introduction Earthquake
Earthquakes - being among the deadliest natural hazards- strike without

any prior warning, leaving catastrophe in their wake with terrible loss of
human lives as well as economic loss.
explanation Technically, an earthquake (also known as tremor, quake or temblor) is

a kind of vibration through the earth's crust. This vibration occurs as a result
of powerful movement of rocks in the earth's crust. These powerful

movements trigger a rapid release of energy that creates seismic waves that

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