Materi 1

1.      The Definition and Purpose of Descriptive Text

Descriptive text is a text which says what a person or a thing is like. Its purpose is to describe and reveal a particular person, place, or thing.

2.      The Generic Structure of Descriptive Text

Descriptive text has structure as below:

§  Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described.

§  Description; describing the phenomenon in parts, qualities, or/and characteristics.

3.      The Language Feature of Descriptive Text

§  Using attributive and identifying process.

§  Using adjective and classifiers in nominal group.

§  Using simple present tense

4.      Examples and structures of the text

MacQuarie University
Identification	Macquarie University is one of the largest universities in Australia. This year, in 2004, it celebrates its 40thanniversary.
	The university is located at the North Ryde Greenbelt, Sydney, where the New South Wales government sets aside 135 hectares for the institution. In 1964, Macquarie area was a rural retreat on the city fringe, but today the campus and its surroundings have evolved beyond recognition. The North Ryde District has grown into a district of intensive occupation anchored by a vibrant and growing university.Blessed with a fortunate location and room to breathe, Macquarie can be proud of that careful planning that retains and enrich the university’s most attractive natural features. A pleasing balance between buildings and plating is evident across the campus. This emphasis on the importance of landscape has created images of Macquarie as a place that members of the university are most likely to pleasurably recollect. One of the highlights of the landscape is the Mars Creek zone. It comprises landscaped creek sides and valley floor, a grass amphitheatre, and artificial lake… surrounded by rocks and pebbles, native plants and eucalypts. Today, a railway station is under construction. In three years1 time, Macquarie will be the only university in Australia with a railway station on site. Macquarie is poised to be the most readily accessible in Sydney region by rail and motorway, yet retaining its beautiful site.

Example of Description

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 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.

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

Language Feature Analysis

§  Using adjective and classifiers; valuable

§  Using simple present tense; Borobudur is well-known,The temple is constructed.