10th Grade

DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

By Nurmaliana
SMA Negeri 14 Samarinda
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 Definition 02 Social Function

03 Generic Structure 04 Language Feature

 Warm Up
1. Have you ever go to a historical place or famous place in Samarinda
or other cities?

2. If so, where is it?

3. Can you give some description or explanation about that place?

 Definition
• Descriptive text is a text used to give a detailed information
(description) about a particular object. It describes particular
object like things, animals, persons or places, for instance:
pets or persons we know well.

• In this learning activity, we will focus more on describing

attractive and historic places near us, for example: Islamic
Mosque, Beras Basah Island, etc. You can find many
examples of descriptive text in the form of texts or videos in
the internet or in the books.
 Social Function
Generally, the main function of a descriptive text is to describe an object.
Specifically, a descriptive text has these following functions:
1. Giving information about a particular object by describing its features
and special characteristics;
2. Giving information about a particular object by describing its physical
attributes, behavior, functions, etc.

Moreover, the functions are:

• To identify/acknowledge
• To promote
• To compliment/be proud of
 Generic Structure
The generic structure of a descriptive text consists of two main parts: identification
or general statement and description.

Generic Structure Function

Identification introduces and identifies specific objects
IDENTIFICATION (a person, thing, place, animal, or event) intended to be
described. It is used to gives a general idea about the
object we want to describe.
Description describes the intended objects using
DESCRIPTION descriptive details or information about the objects’
characteristics, appearances, personality, habits, or
qualities.
 Language Feature

1. Specific 2. The use of

Participant adjective
It has a certain object ,
It purposes to clarify
and it is not common
and describe the noun.
and unique.

3. The use of Simple 4.Action verb verbs

Present Tense that show an activity

It tells the fact of the

Verbs that show an activity.
object being described.
 Language Feature
1. Specific participant/place: It is the one and only object described in a text. For
example, in “Derawan Island” text the specific participant/place is Derawan Island. It is
because, the object described in the text is about Derawan Island.

2. The use of adjective: You can find some adjectives in descriptive text. It is because the
adjectives used to clarify and describe the noun. For example, “beautiful beach”. The
word ‘beautiful’ here is an adjective, and it describes the noun ‘beach’ (it said that the
beach is beautiful).

3. Simple present tense: Descriptive text mostly will use simple present tense, because it
tells the fact of object described. You can identify the simple present tense in a text by
looking at the verb (it uses verb 1), and also the to be (is, am, are).

4. Action verb: Verbs that show an activity. For example; sleep, walk, run, jump etc.
Example

IDENTIFICATION

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION 2
 Explanation of Derawan
Islands’ Example
• In paragraph 1, it can be identified as “Identification”. Because
in this paragraph, it introduces the Derawan Islands.

• In paragraph 2, it can be identified as “Description”. Because in

this paragraph, it shows more detailed description about the
Derawan Islands. It explains the location, parts of the island, and
also the habitat of any animals on Derawan Island.

• In paragraph 3, it can be identified as “Description 2”. Because

in this paragraph, it shows more detailed description about the
Derawan Islands. It explains that there are lots of species there.
Practice
 Adjectives related to something old
aged ancient broken down antique old-fashioned
dated damaged decayed faded classic
neglected abandoned historic dilapidated iconic

Adjectives to describe place

magnificent splendid famous fascinating
notable fantastic fabulous wonderful
enormous captivating gigantic sprawling
ancient beautiful crowded busy
boring bustling charming expensive
costly Lovely delightful popular
 Describing Place or Building
When describing places or buildings, we may include:

• Factual information (age, size, colour, material)

For example: The brick monument, 15 metres tall, was renovated in
1886. Since then, it was painted white.

• Details related to the sense (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste)

For example: Entering the old building, we are only aware of silence
and darkness.

• Opinions/impressions
For example: The picture is so impressive.
Thank you!