DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

1.     Definition

Descriptive text is a text which describes what a person or a thing is like. In other words, the descriptive text is a meaningful text that describes whether a person or an object is like, whether its form, properties, amount, and others

2.     Social Function

The purpose of descriptive text is to describe a particular person, thing or place.

3.     Generic Structure

a.     Identification (introduction to the subject of the description).

b.    Description of characteristic features of the subject, e.g. physical appearance, qualities, behaviour, significant attributes.

4.     Languge Features

a.     Particular nouns, For example: My pet, Borobudur temple, Uncle Joni

b.    Variety of adjectives: For example: beautiful, wonderful, handsome and so on.

c.     Simple present tense: Action verbs: verbs that show an activity (for example, push, draw, work, cut etc.

d.    Similes, metaphors, figurative language: For example: Every day it eats soft food like steamed rice, fish or bread

5.     Example

My Pet

 

I have a pet. It is a dog, and I call it Brownie. Brownie is a Chinese breed. It is small, fluffy, and cute. It has got thick brown fur. When I cuddle it, the fur feels soft. Brownie does not like bones. Every day it eats soft food like steamed rice, fish or bread. Every morning I give her milk and bread. When I am at school, Brownie plays with my cat. They get a long well, and never fight maybe because Brownies does not bark a lot. It treats the other animals in our house gently, and it never eats shoes. Brownie is really a sweet and friendly animal.

6.     Grammar Focus

a.     Use of particular nouns, e.g. My teacher, My pet, Uncle John.

b.     Use of action verbs to describe the subject’s behaviour, e.g. pull, hit, push, and so on.

c.     Use of adverbials to provide more information about this behaviour, e.g. Our new puppy always nips playfully at our heels.

d.     Use of similes, metaphors and other types of figurative language, particularly in literary description. e.g. Every day it eats soft food like steamed rice, fish or bread

e.     Use of detailed noun groups to provide information about the subject, e.g. It was a large open rowboat with a tall front and a tall back.