DESCRIPTIVE TEXT
📘 1. Definition
A descriptive text is a kind of text used to describe a person, an animal, a place, or a
thing in detail so that the readers can imagine it clearly.
The purpose is to give information about what something or someone looks like, feels like,
or behaves like.
In short:
Descriptive text helps the reader “see” or “feel” the object being described.
🎯 2. Social Function (Purpose)
The main purpose of a descriptive text is:
To describe a particular person, place, or thing in detail.
To make the reader imagine or visualize what is being described.
🧱 3. Generic Structure
A descriptive text has two main parts:
1. Identification
→ introduces the subject or object that will be described.
Example:
My school is one of the biggest schools in the city.
2. Description
→ describes the parts, qualities, and characteristics of the subject.
Example:
It has many classrooms, a large yard, and clean corridors. The teachers are
kind and helpful.
🧩 4. Language Features
Descriptive texts usually include:
Language Feature Explanation Example
She has long hair. / The park is
Simple Present Tense To express facts and habits
clean.
Adjectives To describe the noun beautiful, tall, small, friendly
To link the subject with its is, am, are, has, have, looks,
Relating Verbs
description seems
Adverbs of degree To show intensity very, quite, extremely
Language Feature Explanation Example
To refer to a particular person or
Specific nouns my cat, the Eiffel Tower
thing
Figurative language To make the description more
Her smile is like sunshine.
(optional) vivid
🏫 5. Example of Descriptive Text
My Favorite Teacher
My favorite teacher is Mr. Adi. He teaches English in my school. He is very kind and patient.
He always explains the lessons clearly and makes the class fun. Mr. Adi has short black hair
and wears glasses. He loves reading and sometimes shares interesting stories with us. All
students respect him because he is wise and friendly.
Analysis:
Identification: My favorite teacher is Mr. Adi.
Description: His physical appearance, personality, and what he usually does.
📚 6. Common Topics for Descriptive Text
Students can describe:
People: family member, friend, idol, teacher
Animals: pet, wild animal, favorite animal
Places: school, park, hometown, tourist attraction
Objects: phone, book, car, bag
🧠 7. Grammar Focus: Simple Present Tense
Because descriptive text tells about general truth or fact, it uses Simple Present Tense.
Subject Verb “to be” Example
I am I am happy.
You / We / They are They are diligent students.
He / She / It is She is beautiful.
— has / have He has short hair. / They have a big house.
🪞 8. Tips for Writing Descriptive Text
1. Choose one clear topic.
2. Brainstorm adjectives to describe it.
3. Use the correct tense (Simple Present).
4. Arrange your ideas logically (Identification → Description).
5. Revise your writing for grammar and spelling.
💬 9. Practice Task
Write your own descriptive text about one of the following topics (in about 2
paragraphs):
My Best Friend
My Pet
My Favorite Place
My School
Use this format:
Identification: Introduce the subject clearly.
Description: Describe its features, characteristics, or qualities.
✏️10. Example Vocabulary
Category Examples
Physical appearance tall, short, slim, handsome, pretty, curly hair
Personality kind, friendly, helpful, lazy, honest, cheerful
Environment clean, crowded, peaceful, green, beautiful
Object shiny, old, expensive, new, colorful
🧩 Types of Descriptive Text
1. Describing People (Orang)
Teks yang menggambarkan seseorang, baik penampilan fisik maupun sifat kepribadiannya.
Biasanya menggunakan banyak adjectives seperti tall, beautiful, kind, helpful, funny, dll.
Contoh:
My best friend is Rina. She has long black hair and bright eyes. She is friendly and always
helps her friends.
Fokus:
Physical appearance (penampilan fisik)
Personality (kepribadian)
Habits or hobbies (kebiasaan / hobi)
2. Describing Animals (Hewan)
Teks yang menggambarkan hewan peliharaan atau hewan tertentu secara detail.
Contoh:
My cat is very cute. It has soft white fur and blue eyes. It likes to play with a small ball and
sleep on my bed.
Fokus:
Physical characteristics (warna, ukuran, bentuk)
Behavior (kebiasaan atau sifat hewan)
3. Describing Places (Tempat)
Teks yang menggambarkan tempat, seperti rumah, sekolah, taman, pantai, kota, atau tempat
wisata.
Contoh:
My school is large and clean. There are many classrooms, a library, and a playground. The
teachers are friendly and helpful.
Fokus:
Location (letak)
Facilities (fasilitas)
Atmosphere (suasana)
4. Describing Things (Benda)
Teks yang menggambarkan benda atau objek tertentu seperti buku, sepeda, tas, mobil, atau
gadget.
Contoh:
My bag is made of leather. It is brown and has two pockets. I always bring it to school every
day.
Fokus:
Material (bahan)
Shape (bentuk)
Color, size, and function (warna, ukuran, fungsi)
5. Describing Buildings or Monuments
Jenis ini menggambarkan bangunan bersejarah atau tempat terkenal.
Contoh:
The Borobudur Temple is one of the most famous temples in Indonesia. It is made of stone
and has many beautiful carvings.
Fokus:
Historical background (latar belakang sejarah)
Physical details (ukuran, bentuk, warna, bahan)
Cultural value (nilai budaya)
6. Describing Natural Phenomena
Teks yang menggambarkan fenomena alam seperti gunung, laut, sungai, atau cuaca.
Contoh:
Mount Bromo is an active volcano in East Java. It is surrounded by sand and has a beautiful
sunrise view.
Fokus:
Physical description (bentuk, warna, ukuran)
Location
Natural beauty or uniqueness
🟩 Summary Table
Type Object Described Example
People Person’s appearance & character My Best Friend
Animals Animal’s physical traits & habits My Pet Cat
Places Places, buildings, or locations My School / My Hometown
Things Objects or items My Favorite Bag
Buildings/Monuments Historical or cultural sites The Borobudur Temple
Natural Phenomena Natural scenery or environment Mount Bromo / The Beach
