Descriptive Text

A.      Definition of Descriptive Text

According to Corbett (1983), descriptive text is one of the expository writing. Thedescription draws a picture, tries to convey the sound, taste and smell of things or objects.

According to Tompkins (1994) and Stanley (1988), descriptive text is as painting pictures with words. By reading a descriptive text, readers feel that they see the description just like they see pictures. Descriptive text has the purpose to describe an object or a person that the writer is interested in.

According to Friedman (2010), descriptive details mean to grab the reader’s attention. A descriptive text is considered as the simplest and easiest writing form compared to narrative, recount, or procedure, particularly for the beginning writers.

Based on definition descriptive text from expert above, we can conclude that descriptive text is a text which says what a person or a thing is like. The purpose of descriptive text is to describe a particular person, place, or thing.


B.       Generic Structure of Descriptive Text

Descriptive text has Structure as below:

1.      Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described. Beside, identification is the part of paragraph that introduces the character.

2.      Description; describing the phenomenon in parts, qualities, or/and characteristic.


C.      Language Feature of Descriptive Text

1.      Using attributive and identifying process.

2.      Relational process.

3.      Using specific noun.

4.      Using figurative language.

5.      Using simple present tense.


D.      Example of Descriptive Text

Jakarta City

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia. It is the most crowded cities in Indonesia, because so many people in this city. Most of the people work in the trade or the company around this city. Many industries and transportations are in Jakarta, so we can find much pollution. It is a reason why Jakarta is the worse city in the world.

Beside, Jakarta is one of the most beautiful cities in Indonesia. The most popular place in Jakarta is ( The National Monumen). It is a symbol of Jakarta. Many visitors from Indonesia and another country come to it. In Jakarta, we can find another place, such as: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Ancol Dreamland, Jakarta History Museum, and the Istaqlal Mosque.