Definition, Purpose, Characteristics, Examples, for

Descriptive Text and Narrative Text

(the task from my lecturer Mrs.Zulfitri Writing Skills I )

I. Descriptive Text

A. Definition, Objectives, Characteristics, Descriptive Text and Examples

Before looking at what is the full definition of descriptive text, let us understand what is meant by the word descriptive itself. Descriptive is an adjective which if we interpret in Indonesian means description (picture). If you are asked to describe an object, that means you have to describe the object in question both in size, color and so forth. According to Wikipedia, what is meant by Descriptive text is: "a method of processing data into something that can be expressed clearly and precisely with the aim that it can be understood by people who do not directly experience it themselves". So what is meant by descriptive text is a text or text that describes the properties inherent in something, be it human, animal, plant, or inanimate objects such as houses, cars and so on.

B. Descriptive Text Objectives

Judging from the above understanding, then in fact we can already understand what is the purpose of descriptive text. The aim is none other than to describe everything be it human, animal, plant or inanimate objects with properties attached to it such as size, type, color, etc. so that the reader can know what something is like from the picture that we convey even though he has not never seen it.

C. Descriptive Text Characteristics

These characteristics are important for you to pay attention to when writing descriptive text is not wrong. So make sure you use the following features when writing using the genre of descriptive text:

1.      Using Simple Present Tense. Why use simple present tense? this is because we will describe a fact or truth that is inherent in something or person. And one function of simple present is to describe a fact or truth (example facts: the sun is hot). Therefore you must always use the first form of verbs (verb-1).

For example you will describe the properties of your new car: The color of my car is black, it can run up to 500 km / hour.

2.      Because its function is to describe something by explaining its properties, then in descriptive text you will often find adjectives, such as handsome, beautiful, tall, small, big, or if the adjective comes from a verb, then you will find -ve, -ing, -nt addition behind it,

    Example:

    Create (creative)> creative (a smart person to make something).

    Interest (interesting)> interesting (something interesting)

3.      In descriptive text we will also often find relating verb (conjunction verbs) that is is (as in feature number 1). Is in Indonesian is often interpreted as "is". Because the purpose or function of descriptive text is to describe, then surely we will often find the word is (is). His name is Andy (his name is Andy), his height is 160 cm (height is 160 cm).

D. Examples

1. Borobudur Temple (Candi Borobudur)

Borobudur temple is one of the most beautiful tourist resorts in Indonesia. It is situated in central Java. Borobudur temple is one of the seven wonders of the world which needs to be preserved its circumstances.

The people all over the world know that Borobudur is one of the greatest art works that ever known since long time ago.

Borobudur temple was built by Syailendra Dynasty during the eighth century. It needed more than two million river stones. It is the biggest temple in the world.

After going into some restorations, Borobudur is visited by more and more tourists, both domestic and foreign tourists. Most of them admire Borobudur temple because of its beauty, its elegance and the story of the relief on its walls.

Domestic tourists usually go there by bus or private cars, while foreign tourists like to join travel bureau because they don’t need to think of the transportation, accommodation, and itinerary.

There are some money changers around the location. It makes them easier to change their money. But some of them like to bring credit cards and checks.

2. Prambanan Temple

 

Prambanan temple is the biggest Hindu temple site in Asia. The building was completed in the mid-9th century during the regime of Sanjaya Dynasty. The history explains that Rakai Pikatan is the one who initiated the building of that giant temple.

The original name of Prambanan temple is Shivagrha because the temple was built to dedicate to the God of Shiva

Equal with Borobudur temple, the Prambanan temple at every main building recognizes the three world hierarchy which spanned from the lower world to the holiest place.

At the first level of the building symbolizes the lowest realm of the world. It is called Bhurloka or the world in which human being are still bound by their desire, lust, sins, and unholy way of life or stupidity.

The middle level is Bhuvarloka, that is the world of enlighten where human learn to see the truth or living in the holy way.

The top level is Svarloka or the highest and the holiest world. This is the place for people who already get the perfection of life.

3. Wisata - Bromo

Located around 2,5 hours from Malang city, Bromo is one of active volcano mountain which is a part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National park.

The beauty of Bromo can be seen clearly from the top of Penanjakan Mountain which is close to Bromo and has higher level (2,770 meters). Bromo itself is only 2,392 meters.

Even Bromo is not too high volcano mountain, but the history of the eruption was so dramatic. The sands around it which people called the sea of sands (segara wedi) are the proof that this mountain had ever been killing the life surrounded that area.

The name of Bromo is taken from the name one of the God of Hindu, Brahma.

People of Tengger has a myth about that mountain that makes it has mystical nuance. But it is more than myth as long as people still believe that by creating Kasada festival every year, they express their gratitude to God in a symbolic way by throwing vegetables, cattle, and also money as an offering in the Bromo’s crater.

II. Narrative Text

A. Definition, Objectives, Structures, Narrative Text and Examples

A.The definition of narrative text

Narrative text is a story with complication or problematic events and it tries to find the resolutions to solve the problems. An important part of narrative text is the narrative mode, the set of methods used to communicate the narrative through a process narration.

B. The Objectives of narrative text

The Purpose of Narrative Text is to amuse or to entertain the reader with a story.

C. Generic Structures of Narrative Text

1) Orientation

Sets the scene: where and when the story happened and introduces the participants of the story: who and what is involved in the story.

2) Complication

Tells the beginning of the problems which leads to the crisis (climax) of the main participants.

3) Resolution

The problem (the crisis) is resolved, either in a happy ending or in a sad (tragic) ending

4) Re-orientation/Coda

This is a closing remark to the story and it is optional. It consists  of  a  moral  lesson,  advice  or  teaching  from  the writer

D. Examples

1. The Legend of Surabaya

A long time ago, there were two animals, Sura and Baya. Sura was the name of a shark and Baya was a crocodile. They lived in a sea.

Once Sura and Baya were looking for some food. Suddenly, Baya saw a goat “Yummy, this is my lunch,” said Baya. “No way! This is my lunch. You are greedy” said Sura. Then they fought for the goat. After several hours, they were very tired.

Feeling tired of fighting, they lived in the different places. Sura lived in the water and Baya lived in the land. The border was the beach, so they would never fight again.

One day, Sura went to the land and looked for some food in the river. He was very hungry and there was not much food in the sea. Baya was very angry when he knew that Sura broke the promise. They fought again.

They both hit each other. Sura bit Baya’s tail. Baya did the same thing to Sura. He bit very hard until Sura finally gave up and went back to the sea. Baya was happy.

2. The Story of Toba Lake

Once upon a time, there was a man who was living in north Sumatra. He lived in a simple hut in a farming field. The did some gardening and fishing for his daily life.

One day, while the man was do fishing, he caught a big golden fish in his trap. It was the biggest catch which he ever had in his life. Surprisingly, this fish turned into a beautiful princess. He felt in love with her and proposed her to be his wife. She said; “Yes, but you have to promise not to tell anyone about the secret that I was once a fish, otherwise there will be a huge disaster”. The man made the deal and they got married, lived happily and had a daughter.

Few years later, this daughter would help bringing lunch to her father out in the fields. One day, his daughter was so hungry and she ate his father’s lunch. Unfortunately, he found out and got furious, and shouted; “You damned daughter of a fish”. The daughter ran home and asked her mother. The mother started crying, felt sad that her husband had broken his promise.

Then she told her daughter to run up the hills because a huge disaster was about to come. When her daughter left, she prayed. Soon there was a big earthquake followed by non-stop pouring rain. The whole area got flooded and became Toba Lake. She turned into a fish again and the man became the island of Samosir.

3.Malin Kundang

A long time ago, in a small village near the beach in West Sumatra, a woman and her son lived. They were Malin Kundang and her mother. Her mother was a single parent because Malin Kundang’s father had passed away when he was a baby. Malin Kundang had to live hard with his mother.

Malin Kundang was a healthy, dilligent, and strong boy. He usually went to sea to catch fish. After getting fish he would bring it to his mother, or sold the caught fish in the town.

One day, when Malin Kundang was sailing, he saw a merchant’s ship which was being raided by a small band of pirates. He helped the merchant. With his brave and power, Malin Kundang defeated the pirates. The merchant was so happy and thanked to him. In return the merchant asked Malin Kundang to sail with him. To get a better life, Malin Kundang agreed. He left his mother alone.

Many years later, Malin Kundang became wealthy. He had a huge ship and was helped by many ship crews loading trading goods. Perfectly he had a beautiful wife too. When he was sailing his trading journey, his ship landed on a beach near a small village. The villagers recognized him. The news ran fast in the town; “Malin Kundang has become rich and now he is here”.

An old woman ran to the beach to meet the new rich merchant. She was Malin Kundang’s mother. She wanted to hug him, released her sadness of being lonely after so long time. Unfortunately, when the mother came, Malin Kundang who was in front of his well-dressed wife and his ship crews denied meeting that old lonely woman. For three times her mother begged Malin Kundang and for three times he yelled at her. At last Malin Kundang said to her “Enough, old woman! I have never had a mother like you, a dirty and ugly woman!” After that he ordered his crews to set sail. He would leave the old mother again, but in that time, she was full of both sadness and angriness.

Finally, enraged, she cursed Malin Kundang that he would turn into a stone if he didn’t apologize. Malin Kundang just laughed and really set sail.

In the quiet sea, suddenly a thunderstorm came. His huge ship was wrecked and it was too late for Malin Kundang to apologize. He was thrown by the wave out of his ship. He fell on a small island. It was really too late for him to avoid his curse. Suddenly, he turned into a stone.

Such is the explanation of Definition, Purpose, Characteristics, and examples of Descriptive Text and Narrative Text. If you like this explanation, don't forget to contribute a like or comment below. thanks.