explanation text

1. Definition and Purposes of Explanation

         Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific and cultural phenomena. Generally the purpose of an explanation text is explaining how something forms or why the thing happens. So when we read an explanation text, the text will cover the answer of "how" or "why" relating to a thing or a phenomenon. It is often found in science, geography and history text books.

2. Generic structure of Explanation

• A general statement
    A general statement discuss about a phenomenon in general. This sentence usually answer a question, that is “what”.
    For example: “What is flood?”
  •  A squenced of explanation
    A squenced of explanation tell us “why” and “how” a phenomenon happened. A squenced of explanation can be more of one paragraph.

3. Language Feature of Explanation

• Featuring generic participant; sun, rain, etc.
• Using chronological connection; to begin with, next, etc
• Using passive voice pattern.
• Using simple present tense.

Connectives 

       Explanation texts usually use words called connectives that explain things in order, one after another.

Some of the connectives you might find are:

firstly 

meanwhile 

next 

then
after that 

eventually 

finally 

Other connectives explain how things work or why things happen, such as:

•Because

•So

•This means

Below is an example of explanation text  

Tsunami 

        The term of “tsunami” comes from the Japanese which means harbour (“tsu”) and wave (“nami”). A tsunami is a series of waves generated when water in a lake or a sea is rapidly displace on a massive scale.

      A tsunami can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water. Such large vertical movements of the earth’s crust can occur at plate boundaries.

      Subduction of earthquakes are particularly effective in generating tsunami, and occur where denser oceanic plates slip under continental plates.

     As the displaced water mass moves ander the influence of gravity to regin its equilibrium, it radiates across the ocean like ripples on a pond.

     Finally, tsunami always bring great demage. Most of demage is caused by the huge mass of water  behind the initial wave front, as the height of the sea keeps rising fast and floods powerfully into the coastal area.

bussiness letter

Business letters

     A business letter is written in formal language. The letter is written for official correspondence between two organizations and organizations and customers, clients, etc. The style of the business letter depends on the relationship that is shared between the two parties.

       A business letter is used for various purposes like offering a business deal to other organization, accepting an offer, denying an offer, new schemes for customer, extending the contract with a client.

Take a look at the following points about parts of the letter :

Letterhead: The formal business letter should always begin with letterhead. The letter head gives the receiver an idea about who has sent the letter.

Date: The date has to written exactly below the letter head. The date has to be written in full with day, month and year. Take a look at this example : 20 October 2005 or October 20, 2005

Receiver's Address: The next important part is the receiver's address.

Salutation: This is the opening line of the letter. In a formal business letter, you need to write dear followed by Mr./Ms with his or her name.

Body: In the first line itself, clearly mention the message of your letter. The letter should be able to convey your message directly to the reader. The letter should consist of paragraphs. Each new point should have separate paragraph. The last paragraph should sum up the letter and ask the receiver to do an action based on your letter.

Complimentary Closure: In the end of the letter you have to use complimentary close. You can use words like "Yours faithfully", etc. "Yours sincerely", etc. Comma has to be included after the close. You have to insert your full name at the end leaving few spaces to sign the letter.

Return addres

British English

                Position: The sender's address is usually placed in the top right corner of the letter.

American English

                Position: The sender's address is usually placed in the top left corner, below the date, or at the end of the letter, below the signature.

Date

British English

Write    : 30 October 2003

Position               :  On the right, one                           

                                  line below the

                                 sender's address

American english

Write    : October 30, 2003

                Position               : Top left corner.

Inside address

British English

                The recipient's address starts on the same line as the date or one line below the date. The position of recipient’s address is in left corner.

American English

                The recipient's address starts two lines below the sender's address (or two lines below the date if the sender's address isn't placed in the top left corner).

There  are steps to make business letter

•       The Start

The start of any business letter begins by addressing the recipient of the letter.

Dear Personnel Director,

Dear Sir or Madam: (use if you don't know who you are writing to)

Dear Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms Smith: (use if you know who you are writing to, and have

a formal relationship with Ms or Mrs)

•       The Reference

                Begin by referencing a specific conversation or other contact means. If this is the first letter in a conversation, you can also  provider the reason for writing.

•       The Reason for Writing

I am writing to...

... inquire about

... apologize for

... Confirm

... comment on

... apply for

·         Enclosing

I am enclosing
Please find enclosed
Enclosed you will find

·         Closing

      Thank you for your help Please contact us again if we can help in any way.

there are any problems.
you have any questions.

·         Reference to Future Contact

I look forward to ...
hearing from you soon.
meeting you next Tuesday.
seeing you next Thursday.

·         Finish

Yours faithfully, (If you don't know the name of the person you're writing to)

Yours sincerely, (If you know the name of the person you're writing to)

Best wishes, Best regards, (If the person is a close business contact or friend)

The following abbreviations are widely used in letters

asap = as soon as possible

cc = carbon copy (when you send a copy of a letter to more than one person, you use this abbreviation to let them know)

enc. = enclosure (when you include other papers with your letter)

pp = per procurationem (A Latin phrase meaning that you are signing the letter on somebody else's behalf; if they are not there to sign it themselves, etc)

ps = postscript (when you want to add something after you've finished and signed it)

pto (informal) = please turn over (to make sure that the other person knows the letter continues on the other side of the page)

RSVP = please reply

Types of business letters

Business letter is an old form of official correspondence. A business letter is written by an individual to an organization or an organization to another organization.

•       Acknowledgement Letter :This type of letter is written when you want to acknowledge some one for his help or support when you were in trouble.

•       Apology Letter :An apology letter is written for a failure in delivering the desired results.

•       Appreciation Letter :An appreciation letter is written to appreciate some one's work in the organization.

•       Complaint Letter :A complaint letter is written to show one that an error has occurred and that needs to be corrected as soon as possible.

•       Inquiry Letter :The letter of inquiry is written to inquire about a product or service.

•       Order Letter :This letter is as the name suggests is used for ordering products.

•       Letter of Recommendation :This type of letter is written to recommend a person for a job position.

below is an example video of job interview. 

                

constractive conjunction and modal perfect

Types of conjunction

Different types of conjunctions link information in different ways. It is important to know which conjunctions establish which types of links.

There are five main types of conjunction in English.

1. Conjunctions of addition and replacement

Additive conjunctions simply add more information to what is already there. Examples of additive conjunctions include:

and, also, in addition, not only … but also, moreover, further, besides.

Example:

The study used a small sample only and was strongly criticized for this reason. Furthermore, the initial premise of the research was considered questionable in the light of previous evidence.

Conjunctions of replacement replace one piece of information with another. That is, they offer an alternative. Conjunctions of replacement include the words:

or, or else, alternatively.

Example :

The results could be interpreted to mean that high levels of protein are beneficial to diet generally. Alternatively, they could also mean that high protein levels are only beneficial to severely overweight males.

2. Conjunctions of comparison, contrast and concession

Comparative conjunctions are used to link two ideas that are considered to be similar. Comparative conjunctions include the terms:

in the same way, likewise, just as, both … and.

Example :

Reading aloud to young children stimulates their interest in books. Similarly, visiting libraries or book fairs has been shown to increase children’s readiness to engage with print.

Contrastive conjunctions link two ideas that are considered to be different. Examples of contrastive conjunctions include:

but, however, in contrast, on the contrary, instead, nevertheless, yet, still, even so, neither … nor.

Example :

This evidence points clearly to a fall in the number of unemployed. On the other hand, anecdotal evidence from reputable charities suggests that the number of people seeking financial support has increased.

Concessive conjunctions are a subgroup of contrastive conjunctions. They are used to contrast one idea with another where one piece of information appears to be surprising or unexpected in view of the other idea. Examples of concessive conjunctions include:

though, although, despite, in spite of, notwithstanding, whereas, while.

Example :

Even though money has been poured into literacy programs, literacy levels among 12-15 year olds do not appear to be improving.

Perfect Modal Verbs

Modal verb + have + past participle

The Future Perfect Tense

Unlike all the other modals above, will is used for the future:

Subject + will + have + past participle

Singular	Plural
I will have lived	We will have lived
You will have lived	You will have lived
He will have lived
She will have lived	They will have lived
It will have lived

This is a difficult tense to use. It describes an action that will be completed in the future.

expressing curiosity, desire and views

Expressing curiosity and Desire

Definition : curiosity is an expression of interest to declare something to be desired, the novelty of the unknown. Desire is expression that reveals something about the person’s wishes and expectations of future .

Expressing curiosity

ü  What I’d really like to find out is…

ü  I’d be very interested to know…

ü  I’ve been meaning to ask you.

ü  I’d like to know…

ü  I wish I knew…

ü  I’d love to know…

ü  What’s on your mind?

ü  I wonder…?

Expressing views

Definition : express our view with saying and explain that with someone and give opinions to someone and also we can ask for opinions with someone.

Expressing views	Responding
I think the most important is…	You may be right
I have the similar view.	That’s good
In my opinion…	Yeah
I can’t understand it , but I have a different opinion.	I know

Admitting mistake and making promises

Admitting mistake is someone’s consciousness who’s doing something wrong or on purpose. Usually use ‘sorry’,’forgive me’ , etc.

The example expressions of admitting mistakes :

☺     I’m sorry. It’s my fault.

☺     I admit what I have done is wrong.

☺     Sorry, I didn’t mean to.

☺     Yes I take the blame

☺     It’s my mistakes. Please forgive me.

☺     I know. I shouldn’t have done do that. Sorry.

☺     I never intended it that way.

☺     Sorry, I was rude to you.

Make promises is important when you want to do something to convince someone, but the promise must be fulfilled so that people can trust you.

Making promises	Responding
I promise I will help you	Thank you
Keep my promise. I won’t do it again.	All right. Keep your promise.
I swear I will not let others know this problem.	o.k. thanks.
I assure you that I will return the book on time.	Really? Let me be assured.
I will not be careless again	Yes, you do.
I promise to manage my time well.	I trust you.
Don’t worry. I’ll see you before I leave.	Ok, I’ll wait for you.
I swear I don’t do it again.	Keep your promise.

Blaming and Accusing someone

Blaming

►     Blame someone in the sense of looking at or assumed someone to blame without possessing the evidence is clear.

►     Blame someone can also like by throwing a mistake someone to others.

Expressing blaming

·         It was your own fault

·         What did you expect?

·         You should have/shouldn’t have…

·         I told you but you wouldn’t listen.

·         It’s no use crying over spill milk.

·         You are the one to blame.

·         You are the only person we could have done it.

Someone who accused of blamed usually declines it. The following responses used :

·         It’s not true

·         It wasn’t me

·         You are wrong, I didn’t do it

·         I am not the one to blame

Accusing

1.     Pointed and said that someone is doing less well.

2.    Pointed and said that the person committed an action that violation of law

3.    Accusing someone is attributing accusations to others without thought of people’s feelings

Expressing accusing

·         It must have been you who did it

·         I think you are the only person who could have done it

·         You must be doing something wrong

·         You must be the doer

Responses accusing

·         I’m sorry. It is my fault.

·         Sorry for my fault

·         I’m sorry for the things I’ve done

·         It’s my responsibility. I’m sorry 

Passive Sentence

PASSIVEEE SENTENCE 

¢  A sentence is written in active sentence when the subject of the sentence performs the action in the sentence.

¢  A sentence is written in Passive Sentence when the subject of the sentence has an action done to it by someone or something else. One can change the normal word order of many active sentences (those with a direct object) so that the subject is no longer active, but is, instead, being acted upon by the verb - or passive.  Note in these examples how the subject-verb relationship has changed. Because the subject is being "acted upon" (or is passive), such sentences are said to be in the passive sentence.

RULES TO REMEMBER  

When rewriting active sentences in passive sentence, note the following:

¢  the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence

¢  the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)

¢  the subject of the active sentence becomes by Agent in the passive sentence (or is dropped)

¢  Only active sentence containing object which can be changed into passive form

¢  The two forms should have the same tenses

When to Use Passive Sentences

¢  In general, the passive is less direct, less forceful, and less concise than the active voice. 

¢  Use the passive in the following situations:

o   Use passive when you do not know or do not want to reveal the performer of an action.

o   Use passive when you want to emphasize the receiver of an action.

PASSIVE FORM

¢  Simple Present

Once a week, Tom cleans the house.

Once a week, the house is cleaned by Tom.

¢  Present Continuous

Right now, Sarah is writing the letter.

Right now, the letter is being written by Sarah.

¢  Simple Past

Sam repaired the car.

The car was repaired by Sam.

¢  Past Continuous

The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store.

The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store.

¢  Present Perfect

Many tourists have visited that castle.

That castle has been visited by many tourists.

¢  Present Perfect Continuous

Recently, John has been doing the work.

Recently, the work has been being done by John.

¢  Past Perfect

George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license.

Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic's license.

¢  Past Perfect Continuous

Chef Jones had been preparing the restaurant's fantastic dinners for two years before he moved to Paris.

The restaurant's fantastic dinners had been being prepared by Chef Jones for two years before he moved to Paris.

¢  Simple Future
will

Someone will finish the work by 5:00 PM.

The work will be finished by 5:00 PM.

¢  Simple Future
be going to

Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight.

A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight.

¢  Future Continuous
will

At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be washing the dishes.

At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes will be being washed by John.

¢  Future Continuous
be going to

At 8:00 PM tonight, John is going to be washing the dishes.

At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes are going to be being washed by John.

¢  Future Perfect
will

 They will have completed the project before the deadline.

The project will have been completed before the deadline.

¢  Future Perfect
be going to

 They are going to have completed the project before the deadline.

The project is going to have been completed before the deadline.

¢  Future Perfect Continuous
will

The famous artist will have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is finished.

The mural will have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is finished.

¢  Future Perfect Continuous
be going to

The famous artist is going to have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is finished.

The mural is going to have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is finished.

¢  Future in the Past
Would

I knew John would finish the work by 5:00 PM.

I knew the work would be finished by 5:00 PM.

¢  Future in the Past
Was Going to

 I thought Sally was going to make a beautiful dinner tonight.

I thought a beautiful dinner was going to be made by Sally tonight.

¢  Used to

Jerry used to pay the bills.

The bills used to be paid by Jerry.

¢  Would Always

My mother would always make the pies.

The pies would always be made by my mother.

¢  Present modals

(Active) The boys can eat the pie

(Passive) The pie can be eaten by the boys

¢  Past modals

(Active) The boys could have eaten the pie

(Passive) The pie could have been eaten by the boys

¢  If you want to change an active sentence which has two objects into its passive forms, there are two ways:

—  Make its indirect object into the subject of the passive sentence.

—  Make its direct object into the subject of the passive sentence

¢  John  is giving  his girl-friend  a bunch of flower.

            indirect object   direct object

¢  Passive: The indirect object as the subject

John’s girl-friend is being given a bunch of flower

¢  Passive: The direct object as the subject

¢  A bunch of flower  is being given  to John’s girl-friend

Take a look at the followings:

Negative

¢  People don’t use bikes anymore ( active )

¢  Bikes are not used anymore ( passive )

Interrogative

¢  Did the students play the cards in the class yesterday? ( active )

¢  Were the cards played in the class yesterday?

                ( passive )

1. People eat millions of bars of chocolate every day!

Millions of bars of chocolate are eaten  every day!

2. We plant hundreds of trees every year.

 Hundreds of trees are planted  every year.

3.Nowadays people cut down many trees for no reason.

                 Nowadays many tree are cut down for no reason.