Muhammad Yamin

Muhammad Yamin was one of the Indonesian national heroes. He was raised as one of the sons of
Tuanku Oesman Gelar Baginda Khatib (1856–1924) the penghulu andiko of Indrapura and author of a
manuscript on Minangkabau adat laws that now is stored at the Royal Netherlands Institute of
Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV).

Muhammad Yamin was also a historian, poet, playwright, and politician. He was educated at the
Algemene Middelbare School (AMS) in Jogja, majoring in history and Far Eastern languages, including
Malay, Javanese and Sanskrit. Upon his graduation in 1927, he went on to study law at the
Rechtshogeschool in Batavia, as Jakarta was known during the colonial period in Indonesia. The
Rechtshogeschool, founded in 1924, is the precursor of the Faculty of Law of what became the
Universiteit van Indonesie and, after the transfer of sovereignty, changed its name in 1950 to Universitas
Indonesia, the premier tertiary institution in the country (Ref 1). Yamin earned his doctorate in law
(meester in de rechten) in 1932.

He worked in Jakarta until 1942 specializing in "private law". Yamin's political career started early and he
was active in nationalist movements. In 1928, Yamin participated in the Second Congress of Indonesian
Youth, which issued the Sumpah Pemuda. Through the organization Indonesia Muda, Yamin became an
active proponent for Malay to become the national and unifying language. It has since been renamed
"Indonesian" and made the official language of the Republic of Indonesia and the principal vehicle for
innovative literary expression.

In 1937, Yamin married Siti Sundari, daughter of a nobleman from Surakarta, Central Java, by whom he
had one child, a son, Dang Rahadian Sinayangish Yamin ("Dian"). In 1969, Dian married Gusti Raden Ayu
Retno Satuti, the eldest daughter of Mangkunegara VIII, Sultan of Surakarta.

1. According to text; and the point (intinya) who is Muhammad Yamin?

a. one of Indonesian national heroes

b. only the son of Tuanku Oesman Gelar Baginda Khatib

c. a doctor

d. a lecturer

Jawabannya : a

2. Muhammad Yamin was educated in...

a. Universitas Indonesia
b. Algemene Middelbare School (AMS) Jogja

c. Rechtshogeschool

d. Faculty of Law in Universiteit van Indonesie

Jawaban: b

3. What is Muhammad Yamin specialization in 1942?

a. cooking

b. writing

c. poetry

d. private law

Jawaban : d

4. What is language who Muhammad Yamin learn?

a. Javanese

b. Malay

c. Sanskrit

d. All above is right (semua benar)

5. When Muhammad Yamin’s graduated based the text?

a. 1920

b. 1927

c. 1928

d. 1945

Jawaban : b
Definition Function and Types of Biography
      We often read or listen the biography of famous people in the world.
They can be from our country or other countries. However, sometimes we
are still confused about the Definition Function and Types of Biography
itself. For this, we want to share about the Definition Function and Types of
Biography. (Also study : Generic Structure and Function of Advertisement)
So let’s go to the Definition Function and Types of Biography:
Definition or Meaning of Biography
      A biography is the story of a person’s life, written by another. Also
known as life-writing and history of the life. This gives an account or
detailed description about the life of a person. It entails basic facts such as
childhood, education, career, relationships, family and death.
      Biography is a literary genre that portrays the experiences of all these
events occurred in the life of a person mostly in a chronological order.
Unlike a resume or profile, biography provides life story of a subject,
highlighting different aspects of his/her life.
The person or the writer, who writes biographies, is called as a biographer.
Adjective of biography is biographical. The writer of a biography is called a
biographer. The person written about is the biographee or subject.
Function of Biography
      Based on the meaning or definition of biography above so the function
of writing biographies is to provide details regarding the life of a person or
a thing in an entertaining but informative manner. By the end of a
biography, the readers feel like they are well acquainted with the subject.
Biographies are often non-fictional, but many biographers also use novel-
like format, because a story line would be become more entertaining with
the inclusion of strong exposition, rising conflict and then climax. Besides,
the most inspirational life stories could motivate and put confidence into
the readers.
Types of Biography
      After knowing the meaning and the function of biography, now we are
going to discuss about the types of biography.
There are three types of biography:
Autobiography
      It tells the story of a person’s life, who writes it himself or herself.
However, sometimes he/she may take guidance from a ghostwriter or
collaborator.
Biography
      It narrates the life story of a person written by another person or writer.
It is further divided into five categories:
 Popular biography
 Historical biography
 Literary biography
 Reference biography
 Fictional biography
Memoir
This is a more focused term than an autobiography or a biography. In a
memoir, a writer himself/herself narrates the details of a particular event or
situation occurred in his/her lifetime.
Examples of Biography
Example 1
Charles Robert Darwin
      Charles Robert Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England, on February
12, 1809. He came from a wealthy family and never had to work. He studied
medicine and theology. In 1831 he graduated from University of Cambridge
with a degree of theology. He began a career as a scientist quite by chance.
      On December 27,1831, 22 years old Charles Darwin joined the crew of
the HMS Beagle as a naturalist.
      The five years’ expedition collected hydrographic, geologic, and
meteorological data from South America and many other regions around
the world. Darwin’s own observation on this voyage led to his theory of
natural selection.
      Charles Darwin was greatly influenced by the geologist Adam Sedgwick
and naturalist John Henslow in his development of the theory of natural
selection, which was to become the foundation concept supporting the
theory of evolution.
      Darwin’s theory holds that environmental effects lead to varying
degrees of reproductive success in individuals and groups of organisms.
Natural selection tends to promote adaptation in organisms when
necessary for survival.
      This revolutionary theory was published in 1859 in Darwin’s now
famous On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
Example 2
ABDULRAHMAN SALEH
1909-1947
     Born into a family of doctors in Kampung Ketapang, Kwitang Barat,
Jakarta, Abdulrachman Saleh also became a doctor. After finishing MULO,
he studied at STOVIA. While still a student, he was appointed assistant at
the laboratory of physiology. Graduating from STOVIA, Abdulrachman
Saleh continued his work at the lab while having his own medical practice.
      Abdulrachman Saleh’s role in medicine was significant. He became a
lecturer in Jakarta, Surabaya, Malang, and Klaten. For his meritorious service
in medicine, specifically in physiology, in 1958, the University of Indonesia
bestowed him the title of Bapak Ilmu Faal (Father of Physiology).
Abdulrachman Saleh was a man of many interests.
      He was involved in youth organizations like Boy Scouts and Indonesia
Muda. He was also a member of Aeroclub, and co-founded theVerenigde
Oosterse Radio Omroep (VORO), an organization of broadcasters.
      It was he who established the Voice of Free Indonesia, the radio station
which spread the proclamation of Indonesia’s independence to the world. 
1.      Generic structure
The purpose of a biographical recount is to inform by retelling past events and achievements in a
person’s life.
The texts consist of three parts:
a)      Part 1: orientation
It given the reader the background information as two why this person is
Noteworthy and should have a biography written about the. The opening paragraph should
answer the questions: who, what, where, when, and how.
b)     Part 2: series
It presents a series of events, usually told in chronological order. Here the writer might refer to a
certain time on line.

c)      Part 3: reorientation
It consists of a type of conclusion with a comment on the contributions this person has made or a
summary and evaluation of the person’s achievement.

2.      Language Features
a)      A biographical recount uses specific names of the people involved in the biography.
b)      It is mainly written in simple past tense (the final paragraph could also include the present tense)
c)      A biographical recount also uses liking word to do with time.
d)     A biographical recount describes events, so it uses many verb or action verb.
Function of Biography
   To know a person’s story about his/her life outside of any accomplishments
this person   may be known for.
   To give many information easily and educate the readers.
Characteristics of Biography

 Biography Is not written by subject and always written in third person.

Dengan kata lain teks biografi tidak dibuat oleh orang yang sedang diceritakan
riwayat hidupnya, tetapi diceritakan oleh oranglain dalam sudut pandang orang
ketiga.
 Based on research. Teks tersebut dibuat berdasarkan fakta pengalaman
hidup suatu tokoh berisi mengenai kisah atau cerita suatu tokoh dalam mengarungi
kehidupannya, entah itu berupa kelebihan, masalah atau kekurangan yang ditulis
oleh orang lain sehingga patut menjadi teladan.
 describes the person's surroundings (where, when and how the person lived).

 use vivid language to narrate events. Bahasa yang jelas harus benar-benar
diaplikasikan dalam sebuah teks biografi agar menghindari kesalahan dalam
informasi yang disajikan.
Generic Structure  
 ORIENTATION (INTRODUCTION)
It is the opening paragraph, gives the readers the background information of the
person. Biasanya berisi tentang biodata yang dinarasikan seperti nama lengkap,
tempat dan tanggal lahir.  

 EVENTS
In events, should be chronological order. Tahap ini adalah bagian kejadian atau
peristiwa yang dialami oleh tokoh. Berisi penjelasan suatu cerita baik itu berupa
pemecahan masalah, proses berkarir, dan berbagai peristiwa yang pernah
dialami oleh tokoh hingga mengantarkannya pada sebuah kesuksesan. 

 RE-ORIENTATION (CLOSING)
It consist of conclusion or a comment or the writer. Tell about the echievement or
the contribution of the person. Pada penutup, bagian ini berisi tentang pandangan
penulis kepada tokoh yang dikisahkan. Reorentasi ini bersifat opsional, jadi boleh
ada maupun tidak.
  
Grammar and language features
 Use of simple past tense. Sebuah bentuk sederhana kejadian yang terjadi
di masa lampau. Menggunakan bentuk kata kerja kedua (verb 2).

e.g. : -The family then moved to his stepfather’s home country.

-He was born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

 Temporal sequence (urutan waktu) and temporal conjunction (konjungsi

temporal). Sebagai penghubung antara satu kalimat dengan kalimat lain dalam
urutan waktu.

e.g. : His parents separated when he was two years old.

 Focus on Specific participants

Use of Action verbs. kelompok kata yang menjelaskan sesuatu hal yang secara aktif
dilakukan oleh tokoh.
 Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in Kentucky (USA). He worked on the farm of
his father. He attended school for less than a year, but taught himself to read and
write. He did different types of jobs before he settled as a highly successful
lawyer. He was gradually drawn to politics.

The country was having problems regarding the practice of slavery. The white
men owned large farms in the southern states, Blacks were brought from Africa to
work on these farms, They were kept as slaves. The people of northern states
were against this practice of slavery and wanted to abolish it, The Constitution of
America is based on the equality of man. Therefore, there was no place for
slavery in that country,

At this difficult time, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the USA in 1860.
He wanted to solve the problem of slavery. The southern states were against the
abolition of slavery. This brought the unity of the country in danger. The southern
states were prepared even to form a new country. Abraham Lincoln wanted all
the states to remain united.

He faced many problems. He wanted to preserve the unity of the country at any
cost. Finally a civil war broke out between the northern and southern states. He
fought the war bravely and declared, 'A Nation cannot exist half free and half
slave.' He won the war and kept the country united.

Lincoln was elected president for a second term. He was not against anybody
and wanted everybody to live in peace. He made sincere efforts to heal the
people's wounds caused by the war. In 1862, Lincoln declared that from then
onwards all slaves would be free. This made him very popular among the people.
Lincoln was assassinated in 1865.
 Definition of Biography
A biography is simply an account or detailed description about the life
of a person. It entails basic facts, such as childhood, education,
career, relationships, family, and death. Biography is a
literary genre that portrays the experiences of all these events
occurring in the life of a person, mostly in a chronological order. Unlike
a resume or profile, a biography provides a life story of a subject,
highlighting different aspects of his of her life. A person who writes
biographies, is called as a “biographer.”

Function of Biography
The function of writing biographies is to provide details regarding the
life of a person or a thing in an entertaining but informative manner. By
the end of a biography, readers feel like they are well-acquainted with
the subject. Biographies are often non-fictional, but many biographers
also use novel-like format, because a story line would be more
entertaining with the inclusion of strong exposition, rising conflict, and
then climax. Besides, the most inspirational life stories could motivate
and put confidence into the readers.

1. Which of the following statements is the best biography definition?

A. A retelling of one small moment from another person’s life.
B. A novel which details one specific character’s full life.
C. A description of a real person’s entire life, written by someone else.
Answer to Question #1 Hide

Answer: C is the correct answer.

2. Which of the following scenarios qualifies as a biography?
A. A famous person contracts a ghostwriter to create an
autobiography.
B. A famous author writes the true and incredible life story of a little
known person.
C. A writer creates a book detailing the most important moments in
her own life.
Answer to Question #2 Hide

Answer: B is the correct answer.

3. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Biographies are one of the best selling genres in contemporary
literature.
B. Biographies are always written about famous people.
C. Biographies were first written in the 18th century.
Answer to Question #3 Hide

Answer: A is the correct answer.

1. Biography Text Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Alva Edison

Inventor Thomas Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio. Thomas Edison was the
youngest of seven children of Samuel and Nancy Edison. His father was an exiled political activist from
Canada, while his mother was an accomplished school teacher and a major influence in Thomas’ early
life.

Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor, his inventions included the telegraph, the universal stock
ticker, the phonograph, the first commercially practical incandescent electric light bulb, alkaline storage
batteries and the Kinetograph (a camera for motion pictures).

During his lifetime, Edison received 1,093 U.S. patents and filed an additional 500 to 600 that were
unsuccessful or abandoned. He executed his first patent for his Electrographic Vote-Recorder on
October 13, 1868, at the age of 21. His last patent was for an apparatus for holding objects during the
electroplating process.

While Thomas Edison was not the inventor of the first light bulb, he came up with the technology that
helped bring it to the masses. Edison was driven to perfect a commercially practical, efficient
incandescent light bulb following English inventor Humphry Davy’s invention of the first early electric arc
lamp in the early 1800s.

Thomas Edison died of complications of diabetes on October 18, 1931, in his home, “Glenmont,” in West
Orange, New Jersey. He was 84 years old. By the time he died he was one of the most well-known and
respected Americans in the world.Many communities and corporations throughout the world dimmed
their lights or briefly turned off their electrical power to commemorate his passing.

Artinya

Thomas Alva Edison

Penemu Thomas Edison lahir pada tanggal 11 Februari 1847, di Milan, Ohio. Thomas Edison adalah anak
bungsu dari tujuh bersaudara Samuel dan Nancy Edison. Ayahnya adalah seorang aktivis politik yang
diasingkan dari Kanada, sementara ibunya adalah seorang guru sekolah yang berprestasi dan memiliki
pengaruh besar dalam kehidupan awal Thomas.

Thomas Alva Edison adalah seorang penemu Amerika, penemuannya meliputi telegraf, ticker saham
universal, fonograf, bola lampu listrik pijar praktis pertama yang praktis, baterai penyimpanan basa dan
Kinetograph (kamera untuk film).

Selama masa hidupnya, Edison menerima 1.093 paten A.S. dan mengajukan 500 sampai 600 tambahan
yang tidak berhasil atau ditinggalkan. Dia mengeksekusi hak paten pertamanya untuk Electrographic
Vote-Recorder pada tanggal 13 Oktober 1868, pada usia 21. Paten terakhirnya adalah untuk peralatan
untuk memegang benda selama proses lempeng listrik.

Sementara Thomas Edison bukanlah penemu bola lampu pertama, dia menemukan teknologi yang
membantu membawanya ke massa. Edison didorong untuk menyempurnakan bola lampu pijar yang
praktis dan praktis secara komersial setelah penemu Inggris penemuan Humphry Davy tentang lampu
busur listrik awal pertama di awal tahun 1800an.

Thomas Edison meninggal karena komplikasi diabetes pada tanggal 18 Oktober 1931, di rumahnya,
“Glenmont,” di West Orange, New Jersey. Dia berusia 84 tahun. Pada saat dia meninggal dia adalah
salah satu orang Amerika yang paling terkenal dan dihormati di dunia ini.Banyak komunitas dan
perusahaan di seluruh dunia meredupkan lampu mereka atau sebentar mematikan tenaga listrik mereka
untuk memperingati kepergiannya.

2. Biography Text Ki Hadjar Dewantoro

Ki Hadjar Dewantoro

Ki Hadjar Dewantoro, was born on born May 2, 1889, at Yogyakarta. He come from a noble family of
Yogyakarta and attended a Dutch-sponsored medical school but failed to complete the course.
Ki Hadjar Dewantoro was the founder of the Taman Siswa school system, an influential and widespread
network of schools that encouraged modernization but also promoted indigenous Indonesian culture.
He felt that education was the best means to strengthen Indonesians.

The first Taman Siswa schools were established in Java in July 1922. Instruction, carried on informally,
emphasized traditional skills and values of Javanese life, particularly music and dance. Western subjects
were taught, too, in order to help students cope with the demands of modern life. Based on traditional
Javanese concepts, the Taman Siswa schools appealed primarily to those segments of Indonesian society
termed abangan, in which the Islamic faith is less deeply entrenched.

Ki Hadjar Dewantorodied on April 26, 1959, at. Yogyakarta. Upon his death he was acclaimed a national
hero.

Terjemahannya

Ki Hadjar Dewantoro

Ki Hadjar Dewantoro, lahir pada tanggal 2 Mei 1889 di Yogyakarta. Dia berasal dari keluarga bangsawan
Yogyakarta dan menghadiri sekolah kedokteran yang disponsori Belanda namun gagal menyelesaikan
kursus.

Ki Hadjar Dewantoro adalah pendiri sistem sekolah Taman Siswa, jaringan sekolah yang berpengaruh
dan tersebar luas yang mendorong modernisasi namun juga mempromosikan budaya asli Indonesia. Ia
merasa bahwa pendidikan adalah cara terbaik untuk memperkuat masyarakat Indonesia.

Sekolah Taman Siswa pertama didirikan di Jawa pada bulan Juli 1922. Instruksi, yang dilakukan secara
informal, menekankan keterampilan dan nilai tradisional kehidupan masyarakat Jawa, terutama musik
dan tarian. Subjek Barat diajarkan juga untuk membantu siswa mengatasi tuntutan kehidupan modern.
Berdasarkan konsep tradisional Jawa, sekolah Taman Siswa sangat tertarik pada segmen masyarakat
Indonesia yang disebut abangan, di mana kepercayaan Islam kurang mengakar.

Ki Hadjar Dewantoromeninggal pada tanggal 26 April 1959, di. Yogyakarta. Setelah kematiannya, dia
mendapat predikat pahlawan nasional.

3. Biography Text B J Habibie

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie was born on June 25, 1936 in the sleepy seaside town of Pare Pare in the
Indonesian state of South Sulawesi. The fourth of eight children, he was nicknamed “Rudy” at an early
age. His father, Alwi Abdul Jalil Habibie, was a government agricultural official who promoted the
cultivation of cloves and peanuts. His grandfather was a Muslim leader and an affluent landowner.

As a child Habibie liked swimming, reading, singing, riding his father’s racehorses, and building model
airplanes. Habibie’s interest in building model planes continued while he excelled in science and
mathematics at the Bandung Institute of Technology. His mother, R.A. Tuti Marini Habibie, arranged for
him to continue his studies in Germany. At the Technische Hochschule of Aachen, Habibie studied
aircraft construction engineering.

In 1962, on a visit home to Indonesia, he married H. Hasri Ainun Besari, a doctor.

After graduating with a doctoral degree from the Aachen Institute in 1965, Habibie joined the aircraft
manufacturing firm Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Bluhm, rising to the rank of vice-president. As a research
scientist and aeronautical engineer, he helped design several planes, including the DO-31, an innovative
vertical takeoff and landing craft.

In 1974, President Suharto asked Habibie to return to Indonesia to help establish an industrial base. As
minister of research and technology, Habibie promoted the importation of high-tech goods and services.

In March 1998, President Suharto installed Habibie as vice-president. In May 1998 He became a
President. He is a president only for short time. For Indonesian people, Habibie is known as the genius
man who build the plane.

Artinya

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie lahir pada tanggal 25 Juni 1936 di kota Pare Pare yang sepi di negara bagian
Sulawesi Selatan. Keempat dari delapan bersaudara tersebut, dia dijuluki “Rudy” pada usia dini.
Ayahnya, Alwi Abdul Jalil Habibie, adalah seorang pejabat pertanian pemerintah yang mempromosikan
penanaman cengkeh dan kacang tanah. Kakeknya adalah seorang pemimpin Muslim dan pemilik tanah
makmur.

Sebagai anak Habibie suka berenang, membaca, bernyanyi, mengendarai kuda pacuan ayahnya, dan
membangun model pesawat terbang. Minat Habibie dalam membangun model pesawat berlanjut saat
ia unggul dalam sains dan matematika di Institut Teknologi Bandung. Ibunya, R.A. Tuti Marini Habibie,
mengatur agar dia melanjutkan studinya di Jerman. Di Technische Hochschule di Aachen, Habibie
mempelajari teknik konstruksi pesawat terbang.

Pada tahun 1962, saat berkunjung ke Indonesia, dia menikahi H. Hasri Ainun Besari, seorang dokter.
Setelah lulus dengan gelar doktor dari Institut Aachen pada tahun 1965, Habibie bergabung dengan
perusahaan manufaktur pesawat Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Bluhm, naik ke peringkat wakil presiden.
Sebagai ilmuwan riset dan insinyur aeronautika, ia membantu merancang beberapa bidang, termasuk
DO-31, pesawat lepas landas dan pendaratan vertikal yang inovatif.

Pada tahun 1974, Presiden Suharto meminta Habibie untuk kembali ke Indonesia untuk membantu
mendirikan sebuah basis industri. Sebagai menteri riset dan teknologi, Habibie mempromosikan impor
barang dan jasa berteknologi tinggi.

 Pada bulan Maret 1998, Presiden Soeharto menempatkan Habibie sebagai wakil presiden. Pada bulan
Mei 1998 ia menjadi Presiden. Dia menjadi presiden hanya untuk waktu yang singkat. Bagi orang
Indonesia, Habibie dikenal sebagai orang jenius yang membangun pesawat.