CRITICAL JOURNAL

REVIEW
MK. FUNCTIONAL
GRAMMAR

SCORE :

SYSTEMIC LINGUISTIC
BY : Agus Mukhtar R.

NAME : EVA ZULFA AZZAHRA 2202421005

JULIARA 2202321003
MAHARANI AMELIA HASIBUAN 2201121006
VALIENT FRIZZY SIPAYUNG 2203321053
YEMIMA SIMANJUNTAK 2203121063
LECTURER : Drs.Willem Saragih, Dip.Appl., M.Pd.
SUBJECT : FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR

ENGLISH EDUCATION D 2020

FACULTY OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS
MEDAN STATE UNIVERSITY
MAY 2022
 PREFACE

All praises to God Almighty for helping us complete this CJR task with full ease.
Without His help, we might not be able to finish it properly.

CJR is structured to fulfill the assignment that has been given for fluent teaching –
learning process. CJR is structured for readers adding insight related to the topic "Systemic
Linguistics” of article by Agus Mukhtar R. which we have reviewed along with its
strenghtness and weakness.

Hopefully this CJR can provide knowledge for readers . There is no ivory that is not
cracked. We are aware that there are still many weaknesses in this CJR, both in terms of
material and presentation techniques, given our lack of knowledge and experience. Therefore,
constructive criticism and suggestions are welcome.

Tanjungbalai, 01 May2022

Writers

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITTLE PAGE
PREFACE ................................................................................................................................ i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... ii
CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY ................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Background .............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Purpose ................................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Benefits .................................................................................................................. 1
CHAPTER II SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 2
CHAPTER III DISCUSSION .................................................................................................. 3
3.1 Strenghtness............................................................................................................. 3
3.2 Weakness ................................................................................................................ 3
CHAPTER IV CLOSING ........................................................................................................ 4
4.1 Conslusion ............................................................................................................. 4
4.2 Suggestion .............................................................................................................. 4

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 CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY

1.1 Background
Often times we are confused about choosing a reference journal or aticle for us
to read and understand especially in the topic of Systemic Linguistics .Therefore, the
author makes this Critical Journal Review to make it easier for readers to choose
reference journal, especially on the subject of Functional Grammar.

The article "Systemic Linguistic" by Agus Mukhtar R., contains an explanation of

the concept of Systemic Functional Grammar and how it differs from traditional and
transformational grammar. Then, there is a description of several generic language
features that are integrated in the text, as well as a discussion of the generic linguistic
features of a text, which include themes, rhemes, references, conjunctions, verb
processes, and tenses. After that, the text genre will be discussed, followed by text
analysis. In addition, there are suggested implications for language teaching in the
classroom. At the end there will be a conclusion from what has been discussed in the
previous section.

1.2 Purpose
1. To complete the task in Functional Grammar course
2. To tell the summary of article "Systemic Linguistic" by Agus Mukhtar R.,
3. To tell the strenghtness and weakness article "Systemic Linguistic" by Agus
Mukhtar R., which being criticized.

1.3 Benefits
1. Add our insight about systemic linguistic
2. Know the summary of article "Systemic Linguistic" by Agus Mukhtar R.,
3. Know the strenghtness and weakness article "Systemic Linguistic" by Agus
Mukhtar R.,

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 CHAPTER II
SUMMARY

The article tell that language is a tool of social interaction within the framework of
Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) (Dik, 1980). The appropriate use of language and
the choice of a particular linguistic depends entirely on the context of the situation. Because
of this, Professor MAK Halliday (1979, 1985) developed an approach to teaching grammar,
which he called "systemic linguistics" or known as "systemic functional grammar". This
approach looks at language from a socio-functional perspective where communication is
related to context and purpose. This approach argues that texts are always generated in
context, the meaning of language is found in the text as a whole, not in separate sentences. To
see this context, one must consider the general language features of the functional approach,
namely field, tenor and mode. These three factors will determine the value of a text (Reuter,
2000).

In addition to the general language features of the functional approach, there are
general linguistic features of text types. According to Reuter (2000) there are five categories
of generic linguistic features in each type of text. Those are theme , referencing, conjunctions,
process verbs, and tense.

Besides general language features and generic linguistic features of texts, it is also
necessary to know “generes or types of texts” because the general features and special aspects
of systemic functional grammar are related to text types or genres. Genres contain the ways in
which a list of field, tenor and mode variables can be combined in certain society. Therefore,
some topics, for example, will be more or less suitable for lecture material than others, others
will be more suitable for informal conversation. From the point of view of the purpose of
using language, the types of texts/genres are categorized into recount, report, procedure,
explanation, exposition and discussion. Each genre has specific functions, generic
(schematic) features and grammatical influences as well as structural choices (Butt, et al,
1998).z

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 CHAPTER III
DISCUSSION

3.1 Strenghtness
This journal is suitable to be read by the general public as a reference source
regarding grammar concepts, general language features and generic linguistic features
of texts, types of texts and examples. A clear discussion helps people, even the
layman, to understand it easier. The journal also contains specific functions, generic
(schematics) features and grammatical influences of each text genre. Another plus
point is that proper punctuation helps readers understand such a long text. Even
though the text is so long, the contents are arranged in a coherent.
And the last, the journal also contains theories from experts so that it can help the
readers understand and more believe the materials.
3.2 Weakness
Overall this journal is good but of course there are still some shortcomings. First,
in the discussion section, the grammatical concepts and types of text are clearly
explained, but there is a discrepancy between the discussion and the conclusion. In the
conclusion mention how to apply the theory of systemic functional grammar to
language teaching and learning in the classroom.
The second lack of journal is that there are some typos in the text, such as the
claus which should be a clause, the tema which should be in Indonesian. For people
who are familiar with the world of language, they may immediately respond to the
meaning of the typo, but it will still feel a little disturbing to ordinary people.

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 CHAPTER IV
CLOSING

4.1 Conclusion
Grammar has different uses based on the context of the situation. Therefore, a
text must consider, namely: field, tenor and mode. In addition to general language
features and generic linguistic features of texts, it is also necessary to discuss “genres
or types of texts” because the general features and special aspects of systemic
functional grammar are related to text types or genres. genres contain the ways in
which a list of field, tenor and mode variables can be combined in a given society.
From the point of view of the purpose of using language, the types of texts/genres are
categorized into recount, report, procedure, explanation, exposition and discussion.
Like Butt, et al. (1998) said, the choice of language mainly depends on the type
of text, so it is important for teachers to direct students to understand the language
used in the text through various grammatical items. In short, teachers need to identify
and understand the concept of Systemic Functional Grammar.
4.2 Suggestion
For this journal it is better if the writer can make another examples for make the
reader more understand about the materials. Giving a example and short explanation it
doesn’t mean can make the readers more understand quickly.