DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

The Definition and Purpose of Descriptive Text

Descriptive text is a text which says what a person or a thing is like. Its purpose is to describe
a particular person, place, or thing.

The Generic Structure of Descriptive Text

Descriptive text has structure as below:

 Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described.

 Description; describing the phenomenon in parts, qualities, or/and characteristics.

The Language Feature of Descriptive Text

 Using adjective and classifiers in nominal group.

 Using simple present tense

Examples and structures of the text

1. Describing thing/place

MacQuarie University
Identification Macquarie University is one of the largest universities in Australia. This year, in
2004, it celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Description The university is located at the North Ryde Greenbelt, Sydney, where the New
South Wales government sets aside 135 hectares for the institution. In 1964,
Macquarie area was a rural retreat on the city fringe, but today the campus and
its surroundings have evolved beyond recognition. The North Ryde District has
grown into a district of intensive occupation anchored by a vibrant and growing
university. Blessed with a fortunate location and room to breathe, Macquarie
can be proud of that careful planning that retains and enrich the university’s
most attractive natural features. A pleasing balance between buildings and
plating is evident across the campus. This emphasis on the importance of
landscape has created images of Macquarie as a place that members of the
university are most likely to pleasurably recollect.

One of the highlights of the landscape is the Mars Creek zone. It comprises
landscaped creek sides and valley floor, a grass amphitheatre, and artificial
lake… surrounded by rocks and pebbles, native plants and eucalypts.

Today, a railway station is under construction. In three years1 time, Macquarie

will be the only university in Australia with a railway station on site. Macquarie
is poised to be the most readily accessible in Sydney region by rail and
motorway, yet retaining its beautiful site.
Example of Descriptive texts

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is Hindu – Budhist temple. It was built in the ninth century under Syailendra dynasty
of ancient Mataram kingdom. Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.

Borobudur is well-known all over the world. Its construction is influenced by the Gupta
architecture of India. The temple is constructed on a hill 46 m high and consist of eight step like
stone terrace. The first five terrace are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Budhist
sculpture in bas-relief. The upper three are circular. Each of them is with a circle of bell shape-
stupa. The entire adifice is crowned by a large stupa at the centre at the centre of the top circle.
The way to the summit extends through some 4.8 km of passage and starways. The design of
borobudur which symbolizes the structure of universe influences temples at Angkor, Cambodia.

Borobudur temple which is rededicated as an Indonesian monument in 1983 is a valuable

treasure for Indonesian people.

Generic Structure Analysis

 Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described in general; Borobudur

temple
 Description; describing the Borobudur temple in parts; eight terraces of Borobudur
temple and its characteristics

Language Feature Analysis

 Using adjective and classifiers; valuable, square, first, a large stupa, etc.
 Using simple present tense; Borobudur is well-known, the temple is constructed, etc.
 2. Describing a person

Chairul Tanjung

Chairul Tanjung is a successful businessman from Indonesia. He leads the CT Corp

which consists of three sub-holding companies: Mega Corp, Trans Corp, and CT Global
Resources. These companies concern on financial services, media, retail, lifestyle,
entertainment, and natural resources. Some of his businesses are Bank Mega, Carrefour, Trans
TV, Trans 7, Trans Studio, and others.

Chairul Tanjung has a tall body, dark hair, slightly slanted eyes and brown skin like
most of Indonesian. CT was born on June 16, 1962 and he is 55 years old in 2017. CT has two
children with his beloved wife Anita Ratnasari Tanjung.

Chairul has graduated from faculty of dentistry at University of Indonesia. Because of

being economically disadvantaged, he began to do business in the college. After graduation, he
has established bigger businesses. In 2014, he was in the 375 th as the richest people in the world
by Forbes.

Generic Structure Analysis

 Identification: ………………………………………………………………………..
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 Description: ………………………………………………………………………….
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Language Feature Analysis

 Using adjectives and classifiers:

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 Using simple present tense:

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Larry Page

Lawrence “Larry” Page is one of the most influential people in the world. Page is an
American computer scientist and an Internet entrepreneur. He was a co-founder of Google with
his friend, Sergey Brin, in 1998. Now, he plays a role as the chief executive officer (CEO) of
Alphapets, Google’s parent company.

Larry Page was born on 26th March 1973 in Michigan. By 2017, his age is 44 years old.
The color of his hair is dark brown and his skin is fair. About his family, a research scientist
named Lucinda Southworth is his wife. Now, he is a father of two children.

In November 2016, he becomes the 12th richest person in the world. Larry’s last
education background is a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Here, he met Sergey Brin. Then, they
incorporated Google in order to make world’s information easy to access. This company makes
him to be the successful person in the world.

Generic Structure Analysis

 Identification: ………………………………………………………………………..
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 Description: ………………………………………………………………………….
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Language Feature Analysis

 Using adjectives and classifiers:

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 Using simple present tense:

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Individual assignment:
Make a short video (maximum 2 MB), duration maximum 5 minutes to describe about
yourself (Your physical appearances and characters)! Upload your video on e-learning !

Deadline of submission on January 11, 2024 at 14.00 WIB (2 PM).