MATERI DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

A. Definition

Descriptive text is a kind of text which lists the characteristics of persons, places, or things or

describing living and non living things such as plant, animals, building, plane, etc.

B. Purpose

The Communicative purpose of descriptive text is to describe a particular persons, places, and

things.

C. Generic Structure

1. Identification: Introducing where or who is the subject is being describe

2. Description: describe part qualities, and characteristic or the supporting part of the

paragraph to describe the in detail to assist the reader to “see and fell” the subject. E.g.

the qualities, appearance, uses, habits, etc.

D. Language Features

1. Using simple present tense. Example, He has a pointed nose; It is so big; etc.

2. Using adjectives bersifat menggambarkan (describing), menomerkan (numbering) dan

mengklasifikasikan (classifying). Example: white strong legs, sharp white fangs, etc.

3. Using linking verb (kata kerja penghubung) seperti; is, are, appear, feel, grow, look, prove,

remain, smell, sound, taste, dan turn. Misalnya: He is handsome; It smells nice; The song

sounds beautiful; etc.

4. Using Adverbs (kata keterangan) untuk memberikan informasi tambahan mengenai perilaku

atau sifat (Adjective) yang dijelaskan, seperti: very, extremely, definitely. Misalkan: He is

very handsome; The song sounds exteremely beautiful; etc

Look at this picture! Do you know them?

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3
EXERCISE 1

1. Where did you find those pictures?

2. Have you ever visited these places? Please mention it!

TEXT 1

Sianok Canyon
Sianok Canyon is a steep valley (ravine) located on the border of the city of Bukittinggi,
in the sub-district IV of Koto, Agam Regency, West Sumatra. The valley is elongated and
winding as the city boundary line from the south of the Koto Gadang canyon to the Sianok Anam
Suku nagari, and ends in the Palupuh sub-district. Sianok canyon has a very beautiful landscape
and is also one of the provincial mainstay attractions.
The Sianok canyon, which is about 100 m in length, stretches for 15 km with a width of
about 200 m, and is part of the fault that separates the island of Sumatra into two elongated parts
(Semangko fault). This fault forms a steep wall, even perpendicular and forms a green valley —
the result of the downward movement of the earth's crust (sinklinal) —which is flowed by
Batang Sianok (stem means river, in Minangkabau language) whose water is clear. In the Dutch
colonial era, this chasm was also called carbouwengat or buffalo sanget, because of the many
wild buffalo that lived freely at the base of this canyon.

TEXT 2
Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is located in West Papua province. This tourist spot is one of many “must-
visit” tourist attractions in Indonesia. Travellers who likes to spent most of their times exploring
the picturesque part of the earth will love Raja Ampat.
The origin of the name Raja Ampat is believed to be taken from a local legend. Raja
Ampat means “The Four Kings”. The legend says that once upon a time there was a woman who
found seven eggs. Four of the eggs hatched. Later, those children who were born from the eggs
became the kings of the four main islands.
The four main islands in Raja Ampat are Batanta, Misool, Salawati, and Waigeo. There are more
than 1.500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding the four main islands. Because of this fact,
Raja Ampat is classified as an archipelago.
Raja Ampat is well-known for the underwater. The underwater biodiversity of Raja
Ampat is massive with around 540 types of corals, 700 types of molluscs, and more than 1.000
types of coral fish. Moreover, The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International reported
that around 75% of world’s species live in Raja Ampat. This report solidifies that Raja Ampat is
the archipelago with the most diverse coral reef and underwater biota.

TEXT 3

National Monument

The National Monument or are largely known as Monas is one of the famous landmarks
in Central Jakarta, Indonesia. The construction was started in 1961 and was officially opened for
public in 1975. This obelisk monument was built to commemorate Indonesian people struggle in
obtaining their independence from Dutch colonialism.
 The full height of Monas is 132 meters, soaring from the ground to the sky. It consists of
three different parts of level. The upmost part is a flame shaped crown which is covered by 45 kg
of gold. It weighs about 14.6 tons and has a height of 17 meters. The second part is the top
platform. It has rectangular shape with the size of 11 by 11 meters. Visitors can reach it by using
the elevator; it takes about three minutes long. From this platform, they can see a vast and clear
view of the whole city. The last part is the lower platform. This rectangular platform has a width
of 45 meters for each side. Inside this lower section, there is a chamber of freedom. It keeps
many authentic symbol and documents of Indonesian freedom.

EXERCISE 2

Complete the table below‼

Places Characteristics
Sianok Canyon  Located on the border of the city of Bukittinggi, in the
sub-district IV of Koto, Agam Regency, West Sumatra
 A very beautiful landscape
 …..
 ….

Raja Ampat  …
 …
 …
National Monument  …
 …
 …

Homework
Find the descriptive text about place that you want to visit. I will check it next week