1.

Definition of Descriptive text

A descriptive text is a text which lists the characteristics of something.

Description text is used in all forms of writing to create a vivid impression of a
person, place, object or event eg to:
 describe a special place and explain why it is special
 describe the most important person in your life
 describe the animal's habitat in your report

Descriptive writing is usually used to help a writer develop an aspect of their

work, eg. To create a particular mood, atmosphere or describe a place so that the
reader can create vivid pictures of characters, places, objects etc.

2. General structure of Descriptive text

The Generic Structure of descriptive text:

A. Identification: introduce a particular person or thing or place , (mention the

special participant).
B. Description: describing physical appearance, quality, behaviour, etc. (mention
the part, quality, and characteristics of subject being described).
The specific text of Descriptive Text is :
A. Using attributive and identifying process.
B. Using adjective and classifiers in nominal group.
C. Using simple present tense.

3. Language Feature of Descriptive text

Description is a style of writing which can be useful for a variety of purposes:
A. Language
 Aims to show rather than tell the reader what something/someone is like.
 Relies on precisely chosen vocabulary with carefully chosen adjectives and
adverbs.
 Is focused and concentrates only on the aspects that add something to the main
purpose of the description.
 Sensory description-what is heard, seen, smelt, felt, tasted. Precise use of
adjectives, similes, metaphors to create images/pictures in the mind e.g. their
noses were met with the acrid smell of rotting flesh.
 Strong development of the experience that “put the reader there” focuses on
key details, powerful verbs and precise nouns.
B. Feature
 to engage a reader's attention.
 to create characters.
 to set a mood or create an atmosphere.
 to bring writing to life.

C. Language Feature of Descriptive Text

a. The use of adjectives and compound adjectives.
examples :
- a five hundred seated football stadium.
- a beautiful ancient Roman opera house.

b. The use of Linking Verbs/ relating verbs.

examples :
- The temple is so magnificent.
- The temple consists of five terraces.

c. The use of Simple Present Tense

examples :
- The museum houses hundreds of Greek Statues.
- The hotel provides 450 rooms and a large swimming pool.

d. The use of degree of comparison

examples :
- The weather in Jakarta is hotter than Bandung.
- Bogor has the same weather as Ungaran.
4. Social Function
Social function of descriptive text are to describe a particular person, place or thing.

5. Examples

a) Identification

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.

b) Description

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.
 And the answer keys are:
1.D
2.C
3.A
4.B
5.D
6.C