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English Explanation Features

The document provides guidance on identifying the key features of explanation texts, including that they explain how or why a process occurs and use precise language and diagrams to convey technical information, and it instructs students to research how a machine works by reading an explanation text, taking notes, and presenting their findings.

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Oscar Masinde
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52 views17 pages

English Explanation Features

The document provides guidance on identifying the key features of explanation texts, including that they explain how or why a process occurs and use precise language and diagrams to convey technical information, and it instructs students to research how a machine works by reading an explanation text, taking notes, and presenting their findings.

Uploaded by

Oscar Masinde
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson 4

Identify key features of an explanation text.


Success Criteria
1. Identify features of explanation texts.
2. Use the internet for research about specific questions.
3. Make notes.
4. Present information.
Look carefully at the next pages/slides
“How Escalators Work”

• What type of text is it?


• What type of language is used?
How Escalators Work
Escalators are one of the largest machines people use on a regular
basis. They are, however, also one of the simplest. In this article,
we'll look inside an escalator to find out exactly how these brilliant
machines work.

The core of an escalator is a pair of chains, looped around two


pairs of gears. An electric motor turns the drive gears at the top,
which then rotate the chain loops. The motor and chain system are
housed inside the truss, a metal structure extending between two
floors.
Instead of moving a flat surface,
as in a conveyer belt, the chain
loops move a series of steps.
Therefore, as the chains move,
the steps always stay level. At the
top and bottom of the escalator,
the steps collapse on each other,
creating a flat platform.
Consequently, this makes it
easier to get on and off the
escalator. In the diagram, the
internal workings of an escalator
can be seen.
Each step in the escalator has two sets of wheels, which roll along two
separate tracks. The upper set (the wheels near the top of the step) are
connected to the rotating chains, and so are pulled by the drive gear at the top
of the escalator. The other set of wheels simply glides along its track, following
behind the first set.

Have you noticed that this is an explanation text?

It is different to an instructional text.


It tell us (or explains) how or why something happens (not to instruct).
It is an explanation text

Key features.
• Formal and precise choice of language, typical of this genre
(e.g. “surface, internal”) and use of technical terms (e.g.
“truss”).
• Use of brackets in this text.
• Diagrams - diagrams give information in a way that would be
difficult with text alone. Sometimes there may be animations
to help show and explain too.
The
explanation
book

Sue Palmer
Explanation text
tells how or why a process
happens (or how something works).

This is sequential and deals


with cause and effect.
These texts are often
‘explanation texts’…
“question & answer”
write-up articles and leaflets encyclopaedia
of science entry
equipment

explanation
parts of a
non-fiction
science text
book
book (e.g. geography,
technical manual biology)
(e.g. for car or
washing machine)
Explanation text Needs:
• a title telling what’s to be
explained
• introduction, providing any
• to explain a process necessary background
• clear layout (e.g. sections,
• to help the reader paragraphs) which helps show
understand how or why the stages in the process
something happens (or • each paragraph starts with a
why something is as it topic sentence A topic sentence sums up what
the paragraph is about.
is)
• maybe labelled picture(s) or
• to engage the reader’s diagram(s)
attention. • organisational devices to aid
clarity (e.g. bullet points,
The genre of subheadings)
text can also affect
the purpose. • closing sentence, to round off
the report.
Explanation writing
Use what you know about
your audience to decide
• think about the audience • how much background detail
for the explanation is needed

• how much do you know • appropriate level of formality.


about them
(age, interests, prior
knowledge)

Think about your audience when you plan the


layout. How can you make it easy for them
to read?
Explanation language features
• present tense verbs
(unless historical explanations)

• time connectives to show if... then...


sequence of events

• causal language

• impersonal language

• technical vocabulary,
with definitions if
necessary.
Impersonal writing
• third person

• passive voice

• formal connectives, e.g.


However, Therefore, This is known as...
Furthermore, Consequently

• usually formal vocabulary


e.g.
placed rather than put
known as rather than The sides are
called. covered in...
TASK:
Internet based research of explanation texts, note-taking &
presenting

• Today's task requires you to answer a question by reading an


explanation text, making notes, and presenting information to
someone at home.
• Research questions are numbered in order of reading difficulty.
(1=easier, 2=medium, 3 = slightly more difficult to explain)
TASK:
Internet based research of explanation texts, note-taking &
presenting. Choose ONE of these to explain!

1. How do hot air 2. How do toilet 3. How do electric


balloons work? flushes work? toothbrushes work?

(1=easier, 2=medium, 3 = slightly more difficult to explain)

Recommended website for research:

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/
• Plenary: Present your explanation to someone at home, using
notes for reference.
• Think about explanation features as you write and read your
presentation.

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