Report Text
Report is a text which presents information about something as it is. The information in report
text is a result of systematic observation and analyses.
Social Functions
The social function of report text is presenting information about something.
Generic Structures of Report Text
1. General Classification
General classification explains about the general aspect of something that is discussed
such as animal, place and etc.
2. Description
Description explains about specific aspects of something that is discussed such as the
part, the characteristic, habits or behavior and etc.
Language Feature of Description Text
1. Using general nouns
It means that we discussed about something that is general not personal such as “Cat” not
“My Cat”.
2. Using Linking verb
Such as is, are, has/have, seem, look and etc.
3. Using action verb when describing behavior
4. Using timeless present tense
Ex : always, usually, often and etc.
5. Using technical terms
Technical terms mean that we should use some terms that related to the thing that we
discussed.
6. Using paragraphs with topic sentences to organize bundles of information.
Example of Report Text
Penguin
(General Classification) Penguin is a bird that cannot fly. They are more like aquatic animals
because they spend half of their time in the oceans and the other half on the land. Usually, they
live in the Southern Hemisphere, but it doesn’t mean that they can live only in a cold place,
because Penguins are also found in Galapagos Island, which consider being a tropical area. There
are 16 species of Penguin in the world, one of them is Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes Forsteri)
which known as the largest Penguin.
(Description) Penguins have various body sizes depending on their species. The largest Penguin,
The Emperor Penguin, can reach the size of 1,1 m with the weight of 35 kg or more. The
smallest Penguin, the Little Blue Penguin, can reach the size of 40 cm and the weight of 1 kg.
Some others species such as King Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, Magellanic Penguin and Yellow-
eyed Penguin are vary between those sizes.
The head of a Penguin resemble the head of a bird with a beak in front of it and eyes on each side
of the head. They have two wings that function as flippers which help them to swim. Their foot
is similar to duck’s foot, this also support them in the water. They have a wide and short tail. The
tail and wings help them to keep their balance when they are walking on the ground. The color of
their inner body is white and the color of their back is dark (usually black). This turns out to a
camouflage that protect them from predator when they are underwater.
Language Features :
1. Using general nouns
Penguin
2. Using Linking verb
is, are, have,
3. Using action verb when describing behavior
Spend, help, walk
4. Using timeless present tense
Usually
5. Using technical terms
Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes Forsteri),
6. Using paragraphs with topic sentences to organize bundles of information.
Paragraph 1 :
Penguin is a bird that cannot fly.
Paragraph 2 :
Penguins have various body sizes depending on their species.