Descriptive Text

PURPOSE
to describe about a particular place, person or thing.

Descriptions are almost the same as report text. A descriptive text focuses on a specific thing and its specific features. A report usually deals with things in general. Descriptions can be used in textbook, encyclopedias, scientific magazines, historical texts, factual reading book, magazines etc

GENERIC STRUCTURE
1. Identification : identifies the phenomenon to be described
2. Description of Features : describes features in order of importance
• Parts/ things, it is about physical appearance
• Qualities, it can be the degree of beauty, excellence, value or worth
• Characteristic, it can be prominent aspects that are unique


NOTES:

1. Difference between descriptions and reports can be seen as follow: descriptive texts talk about one specific person, place or thing, e.g. “My Car” and reports classify and describe a whole class of thing, e.g. “Cars” (in general). In short, reports deal with general classification and description of thing while descriptive texts describe a particular thing.

2.The description can cover the facts about various aspects of an object (parts, colour, shape, habits, behaviour, personalities etc

LANGUAGE FEATURES

• Descriptive texts usually use Simple Present Tense
• Frequent use of Passive sentences.
• Use of be (is, am, are, was, were) for the identification and showing qualities
• Use of verb “Have” (have, has, had) in order to give detail description of the object’s features.
• Use of action verbs related to the topic, especially when describing behaviours or personalities (for persons)
• Use of adjectives in describing especially the qualities.

Example of Descriptive Text / Contoh Descriptive Text

sample.1.

Lesser Slow Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus)

Identification:

The Lesser Slow Loris is a Mammal which can clampo onto branches for long period of time. To help it do this, the Loris has a network of blood vessels, called rate mirabile in its forearms and shanks.

Description of physical features:

It is a small mammal which is 7-10 in long (175-250 mm) and can weigh as musch as 12 ounces or 340 grams. Being nocturnal the Loris has large round eyes. The Loris has no tail but has broad grasping feet. On its second toe it has a sharp claw. It also has an enlarge thumb and a reduced index finger.

The Lesser Slow Loris is a plump animal with soft, thick fur ranging in color from light brown-grey to deep reddish-brown with a dark stripe down the back and neck. It has a long snout with comb like front teeth which are used in grooming.

Description of habitat, floor and behaviour It is found in Southern Asia, Vietnam, Borneo and Sumatra. As it is tree-living, it is restricted to tropical rain forest. The diet of the Loris is made up fruit and leaves, tender shoots, insect, birds, small mammals and reptiles. It is nocturnal and sleeps by day rolled up in a ball.

Description of interesting features:

The Loris is a solitary animal which belongs to the family of Lorisidea bush baby and potto. It is very slow but deliberate climber. An interesting fact about the Lesser Slow Loris is that it has a single-note whistle.

sample.2.

Around Bali

Identification:

Bali, the fabled “Island of the Gods” has been enchanting visitors for centuries with its rich cultural traditions and spectacular panoramas.

description:

Bali offers many things, from lofty, mist enshrouded volcanoes and cool mountain lakes down through terraced rice fields to a golden strand lapped by azure waters, every square inch of Bali offers a fresh and unforgettable image.

description:

No less enchanting are its people. Some 2,7 million souls whose artistry and piety are recognized throughout the world. Balinese Hinduism, a complex fusion of Indian cosmology, Tantric Buddism and homegrown mythology, is the primary faith of Bali’s inhabitants, and so deeply woven into the fabric of their daily lives that the line between the spiritual and the material is blurry at best.

*resource

Example/Contoh Descriptive Text lainnya:

Example of Descriptive Text: Prambanan Temple

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple compound in Central Java in Indonesia, located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta.

The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.

It was built around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan, king of the second Mataram dynasty, or Balitung Maha Sambu, during the Sanjaya Dynasty. Not long after its construction, the temple was abandoned and began to deteriorate. Reconstruction of the compound began in 1918. The main building was completed in around 1953. Much of the original stonework has been stolen and reused at remote construction sites. A temple will only be rebuilt if at least 75% of the original stones are available, and therefore only the foundation walls of most of the smaller shrines are now visible and with no plans for their reconstruction.

The temple was damaged during the earthquake in Java in 2006. Early photos suggest that although the complex appears to be structurally intact, damage is significant. Large pieces of debris, including carvings, were scattered over the ground. The temple has been closed to the public until damage can be fully assessed. The head of Yogyakarta Archaeological Conservation Agency stated that: “it will take months to identify the precise damage”. However, some weeks later in 2006 the site re-opened for visitors. The immediate surroundings of the Hindu temples remain off-limits for safety reasons.

Example of Descriptive Text: Cleopatra

One of the most famous women in world history was Cleopatra VII. She was the brilliant and beautiful last Pharaoh of Egypt. Historically, she became queen of Egypt in 51 B.C. at the age of eighteen. She was a Ptolemy, descended from one of Alexander the Great's generals. When she was twenty-one, Julius Caesar became her lover. Seven years later she met Antony. The romantic tragic relationship continued until they died by suicide in 30 B.C.

Cleopatra was legendary. She was famous not only for her breathtaking beauty but also for her great intellect. She had brown eyes and they were shaped like cat eyes. Her skin was in fact an olive shade, darker than Hollywood actress Liz Taylor who potrayed her in the film 'Cleopatra' in 1963. She had medium dark brown hair, about to the middle of her shoulder blades. She had a reputation as an extraordinarily sensuous woman.

Cleopatra was a woman of remarkable poise and unusual intelligence. She was highly educated. She spoke proficiently in nine languages and also skilled in mathematics. She is often considered to be a stunning seductress though she was studying to be a nun. Cleopatra was a very intelligent queen and a politician with a great charisma.

Example of Descriptive Text: Moon

Moon is the earth's satellite which we often see in the night. The Moon is the one place in our solar system where humans have visited. For the firs time on July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin landed the Lunar Module of Apollo 11 on the surface of the Moon. Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the Moon. However do you know what descriptive facts about the Moon are?

The moon rises in the east and sets in the west. It moves toward the east in our sky by about 12 degrees each day. The Moon is about 384,400 kilometers from Earth. The Moon has a diameter of 2,000 miles which is like to 3,476 kilometers.

The surface of the Moon has many things, such as craters, lava plains, mountains, and valleys. Scientists believe the craters were formed around 3.5 to 4.5 billion years ago by meteors hitting the moon's surface. The Moon does not have atmosphere, wind and weather that is why the footprints left there on the Moon by the Apollo astronauts will remain there for millions of years.

The Moon is not a light source. It mean that Moon does not make its own light. It reflects light from the sun. All of us can can see the Moon especially in the night because light from the Sun bounces off it back to the Earth. If the Sun wasn't there, we can not see the Moon.

The moon influences many of the tides in the oceans. This is because of the gravity force between the Earth and Moon. At full Moon and new Moon, the Sun, Earth and Moon are lined up, producing the higher than normal tides. When the Moon is at first or last quarter, it forms smaller neap tides.

This example of descriptive text about the moon facts is arranged from nasa.gov and kent.sch.uk

Example of Descriptive Text: Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. It was built by a Muslim Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife at Agra.

Taj Mahal is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal. The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it.

The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.

Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.
Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river.

Example of Descriptive Text: Cat

Gregory is my beautiful gray Persian cat. He walks with pride and grace, performing a dance of disdain as he slowly lifts and lowers each paw with the delicacy of a ballet dancer. His pride, however, does not extend to his appearance, for he spends most of his time indoors watching television and growing fat.

He enjoys TV commercials, especially those for Meow Mix and 9 Lives. His familiarity with cat food commercials has led him to reject generic brands of cat food in favor of only the most expensive brands.

Gregory is as finicky about visitors as he is about what he eats, befriending some and repelling others. He may snuggle up against your ankle, begging to be petted, or he may imitate a skunk and stain your favorite trousers. Gregory does not do this to establish his territory, as many cat experts think, but to humiliate me because he is jealous of my friends.

After my guests have fled, I look at the old fleabag snoozing and smiling to himself in front of the television set, and I have to forgive him for his obnoxious, but endearing, habits.

Example of Descriptive Text: Easter Island

Do you know Easter Island? Well, Easter Island is in the South Pacific, 3,700 kilometres from the coast of Chile. On the island, there are 600 large statues. We don’t know who built them but they were probably constructed between 1150 and 1500. We don’t really know why they are there, The Easter Island.

Norwegian explorer, Thor Heyerdahl, believed that they were built by people from South America. To prove this, he made a simple raft and sailed there, all the way from Peru.

Archaeologists think that the statues represent dead tribal leaders. We don’t know why the statues left alone on the island. Perhaps they were killed by disease or war. Perhaps the builders used all the natural resources on the island. There are many unanswered questions about Easter Island.

Example of Descriptive Text: Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is Hindu – Budhist temple. It was build in the nineth century under Sailendra dynasty of ancient Mataram kingdom. Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.

Borobudur is well-known all over the world. Its construction is influenced by the Gupta architecture of India. The temple is constructed on a hill 46 m high and consist of eight step like stone terrace. The first five terrace are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Budist sculpture in bas-relief. The upper three are circular.

Each of them is with a circle of bell shape-stupa. The entire adifice is crowned by a large stupa at the centre at the centre of the top circle. The way to the summit extends through some 4.8 km of passage and starways. The design of borobudur which symbolizes the structure of universe influences temples at Angkor, Cambodia.

Borobudur temple which is rededicated as an Indonesian monument in 1983 is a valuable treasure for Indonesian people.

Genre of Text

GENRE	PURPOSE	INFO
Narrative	To entertain/amuse the reader.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Orientation: sets the scene and introduces the participants. Evaluation: a stepping back to evaluate the plight. Complication: a crisis arises. Resolution: the crisis is resolved, for better or for worse. Re-orientation: optional. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Using Past Tense 2. Using action verb 3. Chronologically arranged
Recount	To retell events for the purpose of informing or entertaining.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Orientation: provides the setting and introduces participants Events: tell what happened, in what sequence. Re-orientation: optional-closure of events. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Using Past Tense 2. Using action verb 3. Using adjective
Spoof	To retell something funny for the purpose of entertaining.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Orientation: provides the setting and introduces participants Events: tell what happened, in what sequence. Twist: the funniest part of the text. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Using Past Tense 2. Using action verb 3. Using adverb 4. Chronologically arranged
Anecdote	To share with others an account of an unusual or amusing incident.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Abstract: signals the retelling of an unusual incident. Orientation: sets the scene. Crisis: provides details of the unusual incident Reaction: reaction to crises Coda: optional – reflection on or evaluation of the incident. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Using exclamations, rhetorical question or intensifiers 2. Using material process 3. Using temporal conjunctions
News Item	To inform readers, listeners or viewers about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or important.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Newsworthy Event(s): recounts the event in summary form Background Events: elaborate what happened, to whom, in what circumstances. Sources: comments by participants in, witnesses to and authorizes expert on the event. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Short, telegraphic information about story captured in headline 2. Using action verbs 3. Using saying verbs 4. Using adverbs : time, place and manner.
Description	To describe a particular person, place or thing.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Identification: Identifies phenomenon to be described. Description: describes parts, qualities, characteristics. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Using Simple Present Tense 2. Using action verb 3. Using adverb 4. Using special technical terms
Report	To describe the way things are, with reference to a range of natural, man-made and social phenomena in our environment.	GENERIC STRUCTURE General classification: tells what the phenomenon under discussion is. Description: tells what the phenomenon under discussion is like in terms of (l) parts, (2) qualities, (3) habits or behaviors, if living; uses, if non-natural LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Introducing group or general aspect 2. Using conditional logical connection 3. Using Simple Present Tense
Explanation	To explain the processes involved in the formation or workings of natural or socio-cultural phenomena.	GENERIC STRUCTURE A general statement to position the reader. A sequenced explanation of why or how something occurs. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Using Simple Present Tense 2. Using action verbs 3. Using passive voice 4. Using noun phrase 5. Using adverbial phrase 6. Using technical terms 7. Using general and abstract noun 8. Using conjunction of time and cause-effect.
Discussion	To present (at least) two points of view about an issue.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Issue Arguments for and against or Statement of differing points of view. Conclusion or Recommendation LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Using Simple Present Tense 2. Use of relating verb/to be 3. Using thinking verb 4. Using general and abstract noun 5. Using conjunction/transition 6. Using modality 7. Using adverb of manner
Hortatory Exposition	To persuade the reader or listener that something should or should not be the case or be done.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Thesis: announcement of issue concern. Arguments: reasons for concern, leading to recommendation. Recommendation: statement of what ought or ought not to happen. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Using Simple Present Tense 2. Using modals 3. Using action verbs 4. Using thinking verbs 5. Using adverbs 6. Using adjective 7. Using technical terms 8. Using general and abstract noun 9. Using connectives/transition
Analytical Exposition	To reveal the readers that something is the important case.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Thesis: Position: Introduces topic and indicates writer’s position. Preview: Outlines the main arguments to be presented. Arguments: Point: restates main arguments outlined in Preview. Elaboration: develops and supports each Point/argument Reiteration: restates writer’s position. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Using modals 2. Using action verbs 3. Using thinking verbs 4. Using adverbs 5. Using adjective 6. Using technical terms 7. Using general and abstract noun 8. Using connectives/transition
Review	To critique an art work, event for a public audience. Such works of art include movies, TV shows, books, plays, operas, recordings, exhibitions, concerts and ballets.	GENERIC STRUCTURE Orientation: places the work in its general and particular context, often by comparing it with others of its kind or through analogue with a non-art object or event. Interpretive Recount: summaries the plot and/or provides an account of how the reviewed rendition of the work came into being; is optional, but if present, often recursive. Evaluation: provides an evaluation of the work and/or its performance or production; is usually recursive. Evaluative Summation: provides a kind of punchline which sums up the reviewer’s opinion of the art event as a whole; is optional. LANGUAGE FEATURES: 1. Focus on specific participants 2. Using adjectives 3. Using long and complex clauses 4. Using metaphor