In this part of the text, you will learn how to:
• Read and understand descriptive texts.
• Identify the structure of descriptive texts;
What is a descriptive text? I think it is important to recall before we go further about this example of descriptive text. The way descriptive text composed is similar to report text. Both try more to show less than tell. However descriptive text tends to specify the described object while report text will describe the object in general. The goal of the descriptive text is transferring the experience of the writers. The experience can be what they see, read, or feel. Descriptive text commonly tries to reveal the image of certain person, place, animal, or thing. Bellow is the best example of descriptive text I find. Its social function is to describe and reveal a particular person, place, or thing.
• Read and understand descriptive texts.
• Identify the structure of descriptive texts;
What is a descriptive text? I think it is important to recall before we go further about this example of descriptive text. The way descriptive text composed is similar to report text. Both try more to show less than tell. However descriptive text tends to specify the described object while report text will describe the object in general. The goal of the descriptive text is transferring the experience of the writers. The experience can be what they see, read, or feel. Descriptive text commonly tries to reveal the image of certain person, place, animal, or thing. Bellow is the best example of descriptive text I find. Its social function is to describe and reveal a particular person, place, or thing.
The structure of descriptive text is divided into two parts:
1. The Differences between Report and Descriptive Text
Some text types are quite difficult to differ. Such report and descriptive texts have the similarities in the social function and generic structure. However, if they are analyzed carefully, the slight differences between the two text types will reveal.
The purpose of the two texts are to give the live-description of the object/participant. Both of them try to show rather than to tell the reader about the factual condition of the object. Readers by themselves will catch the impressive point of the object through the writing style. What make different, between report and descriptive text, is the scope of the written object. If we talk about, eg: bicycle, it belongs to a report text. It will talk about bicycle in general; its parts, physical strengh, function for certain people or other general characters of bike. In the other hand, descriptive text will convey more focus, for example "my bicycle" on its specific characters; colour, lengh, wheel style, etc.
In short decription, report text describes the way of certain things and frequently refers to a phenomenon of nature, animal and scientific object. Mostly, report is written after getting careful observation. This scientific and technical sense make clearer difference from descriptive text. On the other hand, the way of descriptive text in showing thing is based on the objective fact of the thing. It describe the specific thing simply as the thing is.
2. Let’s read and understand the examples of descriptive text below!
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.
Analyzing the Text:
Generic Structure Analysis:
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.
- Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described.
- Description; describing the phenomenon in parts, qualities, or/and characteristics.
- Attributive and identifying process.
- Adjective and classifiers in nominal group.
- Simple present tense
1. The Differences between Report and Descriptive Text
Some text types are quite difficult to differ. Such report and descriptive texts have the similarities in the social function and generic structure. However, if they are analyzed carefully, the slight differences between the two text types will reveal.
The purpose of the two texts are to give the live-description of the object/participant. Both of them try to show rather than to tell the reader about the factual condition of the object. Readers by themselves will catch the impressive point of the object through the writing style. What make different, between report and descriptive text, is the scope of the written object. If we talk about, eg: bicycle, it belongs to a report text. It will talk about bicycle in general; its parts, physical strengh, function for certain people or other general characters of bike. In the other hand, descriptive text will convey more focus, for example "my bicycle" on its specific characters; colour, lengh, wheel style, etc.
In short decription, report text describes the way of certain things and frequently refers to a phenomenon of nature, animal and scientific object. Mostly, report is written after getting careful observation. This scientific and technical sense make clearer difference from descriptive text. On the other hand, the way of descriptive text in showing thing is based on the objective fact of the thing. It describe the specific thing simply as the thing is.
2. Let’s read and understand the examples of descriptive text below!
Text 1
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 Temple
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.
Analyzing the Text:
Generic Structure Analysis:
- Identification; Identifying the phenomenon to be described in general; Borobudur temple
- Description; Describing the Borobudur temple in parts; eight terraces of Borobudur temple and its characteristics.
- Using adjective and classifiers; eg. valuable
- Using simple present tense; eg. Borobudur is well-known,The temple is constructed, etc
Text 2
Easter Island
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.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.
Niagara Falls is a famous area of waterfalls. It is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of North America. It is on the Niagara River, about halfway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The Niagara River forms part of the border between Canada and the United States. At Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada is on one side of the river, and the U.S. state of New York is on the other side.
Niagara Falls really has two waterfalls. The Horseshoe Falls are in Canada, and the American Falls are in the United States.
Text 3
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a famous area of waterfalls. It is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of North America. It is on the Niagara River, about halfway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The Niagara River forms part of the border between Canada and the United States. At Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada is on one side of the river, and the U.S. state of New York is on the other side.
Niagara Falls really has two waterfalls. The Horseshoe Falls are in Canada, and the American Falls are in the United States.
The Niagara River drops into a steep gorge or canyon, at the falls. Most of the water flows over the Horseshoe Falls. They are not as high as the American Falls, but they are 2,600 feet (792 metres) wide–about 0.5 mile (0.8 kilometre). The American Falls are about 1,000 feet (305 metres) wide.
Beyond the falls are the Whirlpool Rapids. There, the powerful swirling water has carved a bowl out of the rock.
At night, coloured lights shine on the thundering falls. About 10 million people visit Niagara Falls each year.
Uhm…Singapore is a beautiful city with lots of parks and open spaces. It is also a very clean city. You know, the business district is very modern, with lots of tall and new buildings.
Now, let me tell you about the old section of the city. In Chinatown, there are rows of old shop houses. The government buildings in Singapore are also very unique and antique. They date from the British colonial days.
Shopping! Wow, this is the part that I like very much! Singapore is famous for its many good shopping centers. Most of the goods are duty free. It’s a heaven for shoppers!
What about food? Uhmm ..yummy..yummy. It’s delicious. Singapore’s restaurants provide Chinese, Indian, Malay, and European food, and the prices are quite reasonable. I bet you’ll like it.
Well, since Singapore lies near the equatorial line, of course, it has a tropical climate, with a nice weather in both dry and rainy season.
Beyond the falls are the Whirlpool Rapids. There, the powerful swirling water has carved a bowl out of the rock.
At night, coloured lights shine on the thundering falls. About 10 million people visit Niagara Falls each year.
Text 4
Singapore
Have you ever visited Singapore? Well, if you haven’t, let me tell you about Singapore. Singapore is an island city. Its population is about three millions people. Most Singaporeans live in high-rise apartments.Singapore
Uhm…Singapore is a beautiful city with lots of parks and open spaces. It is also a very clean city. You know, the business district is very modern, with lots of tall and new buildings.
Now, let me tell you about the old section of the city. In Chinatown, there are rows of old shop houses. The government buildings in Singapore are also very unique and antique. They date from the British colonial days.
Shopping! Wow, this is the part that I like very much! Singapore is famous for its many good shopping centers. Most of the goods are duty free. It’s a heaven for shoppers!
What about food? Uhmm ..yummy..yummy. It’s delicious. Singapore’s restaurants provide Chinese, Indian, Malay, and European food, and the prices are quite reasonable. I bet you’ll like it.
Well, since Singapore lies near the equatorial line, of course, it has a tropical climate, with a nice weather in both dry and rainy season.
