Explanation Text Structure and Explanatory Series
After reading the text "Earthquake", you certainly find the parts in the form of general statements (opening), a series of explanations (content), and interpretation / closing (not necessarily there). The parts become text buildings, explanations as shown in the following chart.
General Statement
1) Contains a general statement about a topic, which will explain the process of its existence, the process of its occurrence, the process of its existence, the process of its occurrence, the process of its formation, etc.
2) Must be concise, interesting, and clear, which is able to arouse the reader's interest to read the details.
Explanatory Series
1) Filled with detailed explanation of the process of existence, the process of occurrence.
2) It is very relative to answer ‘how’ questions, the answer of which is a statement or the answer in the form of a statement
3) It is possible to remember that the process needs to be explained in stages, first, second, third, etc. or first, next, last.
Closing / Interpretation
Contains conclusions or statements about the topic / process described from the explanatory text example above.
Example Identifying the structure of Earthquake explanatory texts
General Statement
Earthquakes are vibrations or shocks that occur due to the movement of the rock layers that originate from the bottom or subsurface of the earth. Natural events that often occur in areas close to volcanoes and also in areas surrounded by vast oceans.
The earthquake occurred because of the shifting of the earth's lower layers and the terrible volcanic eruption. In addition, earthquakes occur so quickly with such a devastating impact. Therefore, the consequences are extraordinary. Earthquake vibrations are very strong and spread in all directions so that it can destroy buildings and cause casualties.
Explanatory Series
Based on the cause of the occurrence, earthquakes can be classified into two, namely tectonic earthquakes and volcanic earthquakes. Tectonic earthquakes occur because the layer of the earth's crust becomes precarious or soft so it experiences movement. The "Tectonic Plate" theory contains an explanation that our earth consists of several layers of rock. Most of the crustal area will be washed away and float in layers, like snow. This layer moves so slowly that it breaks and collides with one another. That is why earthquakes occur. Meanwhile, volcanic earthquakes occur because of an extremely devastating volcanic eruption. This volcanic earthquake is less common when compared to tectonic earthquakes.
Interpretation
Earthquakes can occur at any time, without knowing the season. However, earthquake concentrations tend to occur in certain places, such as the Pacific Plate boundary. This place is known for its ring of fire because of the many volcanoes.
Characteristics of the Explanation Text Language
After identifying the text structure of the 'Earthquake' explanatory text you will learn about the language characteristics of the Explanation text. Characteristics of explanatory text languages are as follows.
Focus on general things (generic), not human participants (nonhuman participants), for example earthquakes, floods, rain and air.
It is possible to use scientific terms
Use time conjunctions or clauses, for example if, if, so, before, first and then.
The language is concise, interesting and clear
Examples of identifying language features of the text "Earthquakes"