By
ANTON RESTIANA
In English there are several types of text or commonly referred to as Genre. Genre classification in English is influenced by several factors, including: the aim of the author to write the text, the function of the text, the structure of language (Generic Structure) which is used, and the characteristics of which language is used in the text.
Most of the time when studying English Types of Text is spent to discuss Generic Structure and Language Features which is used as the material composing a text. The Generic Structure and Language Features that make the difference in any type of the English text.
There are many types of text in English, including; descriptive, narrative, procedure text, recount, etc.
A. DESCRIPTIVE TEXT
a. Definition.
Descriptive text is a kind of text with a purposes to give information. The context of this kind of text is the description of particular thing, animal, person, or others. It differs from Report Text which describes things, animals, persons, or other in general.
b. Social Function.
The social function of descriptive text is to describe a particular person, place, or thing.
c. Generic Structure.
There are two generic structures of descriptive text, that are :
- Identification is the part of the paragraph that introducs the character or identifies phenomenon to be described.
- Description is the part of the paragraph that describes the character.
In this part we describe or inform the subject characteristics. Such as psychological traits, behavior, physical appearance, distinctive features, quality, and so on.d. Significant Lexicogramatical Features.
- Focus on specific participants. For example: father, school, my dog, etc.
- Use of simple present tense.
- Using various types of adjective that is describing, numbering, or classifying. For example: three tall buildings, sharp white fang.
- Use of being/having verbs. For example: I have a pet, the money belong to me.
e. The Example of Descriptive Text.
My Pet
I have a pet. It is a cat and I call it Neko.
Neko is a funny cat. He has white fur with black spot. His fur feels soft, so I like to cuddle him. He likes to chase everyone and run around the house. When he feels sleepy, he ussually sleeps under the table in the living room.
Neko does not like bones. Every morning I give her milk and bread. When I am at school, Neko plays with my neighbor’s cat. They get along well and never fight. Therefore everybody like him.
B. NARRATIVE TEXT
a. Definition
Narrative is to amuse, entertain and to deal with an actual or vicarious experience in different ways. Narrative deals with problematic events which lead to a crisis or turning point of some kind, which in turn finds a resolution.
b. Purpose
- To amuse or to entertain.
- To deal with actual vicorious experience in different ways.
c. Generic Structure
- Orientation.
It is about opening paragraph where the characters of the story are introduced.
- Complication.
Where the problems in the story develoved
- Resolution.
Where the problems in the story is solved.
d. Lexicogrammatical Features.
Narrative texts often use specific language:
- Particular noun as a personal pronoun, animals, and objects in the story. For example: stepmother, household, etc.
- Individual Participant, participants focused on the narrative (actors) that certain specific.
- Past tense, using the past tense verb. For example: went, ran, ate, etc.
- Time connective and conjunction, to sort the connective time or activity. For example: after, before, soon, then, after that, etc.
- Action verbs, a verb that show the events. For example: stayed, climbed, killed, etc.
- Saying verb and thinking verb, a verb that shows reporting or speech. For example: said, told, promised, thought, understood, etc.
e. The Types of Narrative Text:
- Fable.
- Fairy tales.
- Historical story.
- Folktale, etc.
f. The Example of Narrative Text.
The Frog Prince
Long ago there was a king who had a beautiful daughter. He loved her very much. Everyday the Princess would sit by the old palace welll and toss a golden ball high in the air and let it drop. She loved to play this game.
One day she accidentally tosses her ball too high. When it came down she could not catch it. It fell deep into the well. The Princess began to cry. “Why are you crying?” said a voice behind her. The Princess looks down. She saw a frog. “Oh, please, Frog”, said the princess. “I lost my ball down the well. If you bring it back to me, I will do anything you want.” “Anything at all?” asked the frog. “Yes, anything”, said the princess.
So the frog dived into the well and gave the ball back to teh princess. “I don’t want money or property:, said a frog. “Let me live with you and be favourite friend.” The princess did not really want to let the frog came and live with her as her favourite friend but she was an honest princess. When she made a promise she kept it. So the frog came back with her to the palace.
One day the princess discovered that the frog had turned into a handsome prince so they got married and live happily ever after.
C. PROCEDURE TEXT
a. Definition
Basiclly, prosedure texts are part of our daily life. The text tell us how something is done through stpes or actions.
We often use procedure text, even though we rarely realise it. The examples are when we follow the instructions a CD player, do a simple scientific experiment, etc. Procedure text is known by directory too.
b. Purpose
The purpose procedure text is to tell the reader how to do or make something. The information is presented in a logical sequence of events which is broken up into small sequenced steps. These texts are usually written in the present tense. The most common example of a procedural text is a recipe.
c. Generic Structure
Generic structure of procedure text are:
- Goal
Contains informatio about the destination in the making or operation of something.
- Materials
There are three types of procedure text that does not use the materials, that are:
1. Procedure text that identifies how to perform the inctruction manual. For example: how to use the video game, how to use the computer, etc.
2. Procedure text that intructs how to perform certain activities with unregulated. For example: road safety rules, video game rules, etc.
3. Procedure text relating to human nature or habit. Example: how to live happily, how to succeed, etc.
- Steps
On the steps, contains about steps or sequences that must be done so that the goals outlined in the Goal can be achieved. Steps or sequences of the sequence must be the first to the last.
d. Lexicogrammatical Features.
- Use imperative sentences (commands), for example: cut, do, stir, etc.
- Using action verb, such us turn, put, etc.
- Using connectives (conjunctions) to sort of activity. For example: then, while, etc.
- Using adverbials (adverbs) to declare that detailed time, place, an accurate way. For example: for five minutes, tow hours, etc.
- Using the Simple Present Tense.
e. The Example of Procedure Text.
How to Make an Omelet
Materials : 1 egg,3 tablespoons cooking oil,
a pinch of salt and pepper.
Utensils : Frying pan, fork, spatula, bowl, plate.
Steps :
1. Crack an egg into a bowl.
2. Whisk the egg with a fork until it is smooth.
3. Heat the oil in a frying pan.
4. Pour the mixture in a frying pan.
5. Turn the omelet with a spatula when it browns.
6. Cook both sides.
7. Place on a plate; season with salt and pepper.
8. Eat while warm.
D. RECOUNT TEXT
a. Definiton
A recount text is a text that telling the reader about one story, action or activity.
b. Purposes
Its purpose is either to inform or to entertain the audience. There is no complication among the participants and that differentiates from narrative.
c. Generic Structures
- Orientation
Tells who was involved, what happened, where the events took place, and when it happened.
- Events
Tell what happened and in what sequence.
- Reorientation.
Consists of optional-closure of events/ending.
d. Lexicogrammatical Features
- Individual participants.
- Using past tense.
- Using time connective and conjunction.
- Using action verbs.
- Using adverbs and adverb phrases.
e. The Example of Recount Text.
Tour to Pangandaran
The tour to Pangandaran Beach started on holiday last semester. We decided to go to Pangandaran Beach by our motorbike. That was very interesting tour. Riding a motorbike from my hometown, Cirebon, to Pangandaran Beach with my best friends made me feel exited.
The tour to Pangandaran Beach began at 09.00 a.m. in the morning and it took 5 hours riding to Pangandaran Beach. There were so many story that my friends and I got when we were in the tour such as there was my friend who got lost, ran out of fuel in the middle of jungle, and so forth. But it was interesting, because it was the first moment that I ever had in touring.
We arrived at Pangandaran Beach at 02.00 p.m. and we stright to move to the beach. At beach we just lied down there to stretch our muscle because of 5 hours riding. We also had a lunch there by eating some foods that we brought from Cirebon. That was very nice moment when we shared our own food to others.
After we had enough rest, we began to explore Pangandaran Beach. Started by exploring the beach, and the sea using rented boat. Then we went to dive by renting some diving equipment. We could see many coral there. We just had 2 hours to enjoy Pangandaran Beach because we had to come back to Cirebon.
We came back to Cirebon at 04.00 p.m. It was imposible to ride in the night, so we just decided to stay over in our friend house in Ciamis and we started to come back in the morning. That was very nice experience that I and my friends ever had. We would never forget that moment.
Reference:
Wardiman, Artono, B. Jahur, Masduki, Djusma, M. Sukiman. (2008). English in Focus for Grade IX Junior High School (SMP/MTs). Jakarta: Depdiknas.
Wardiman, Artono, B. Jahur, Masduki, Djusma, M. Sukiman. (2008). English in Focus for Grade VIII Junior High School (SMP/MTs). Jakarta: Depdiknas.
Djauharie, Otong Setiawan. (2007). Genre Dilengkapi 700 Soal Uji Pemahaman. Bandung: CV. Yrama Widya.
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