Descriptive Text

1. Definition

Descriptive text is a type of text that describes a person, place, animal, or object in detail. Its purpose is to help the reader imagine what something looks like, sounds like, feels like, or smells like. It focuses on giving a clear picture of something.

2. Purpose (Function)

The purpose of descriptive text is to:

• Describe something specifically

• Make the reader feel as if they can see, hear, or experience the object being described

• Give detailed information about characteristics, features, or qualities

3. Generic Structure

Descriptive text has two main parts:

1. Identification
   Introduces the thing or person you want to describe.
   Example: “My cat is named Snowy. She is a friendly white cat.”

2. Description
   Describes the parts, qualities, characteristics, or details of the object.
   Example: “She has soft white fur, blue eyes, and a long tail. She loves sleeping and playing with yarn.”

4. Language Features

Descriptive texts usually use:

• Simple Present Tense (because it describes facts)
  “She has…”, “It looks…”, “He is…”

• Adjectives (to describe)
  beautiful, tall, soft, round, big, small, colorful

• Specific nouns
  my dog, the school, Mount Bromo

• Figurative language (sometimes)
  as white as snow, as fast as lightning

5. Examples

Example 1 — Describing a Place

Identification:
My favorite place is the beach near my house.

Description:
The beach has soft white sand and clear blue water. The waves are gentle, and the air feels fresh. Many people come to relax, play volleyball, or enjoy the sunset. At night, the sound of the waves is calm and peaceful.

Example 2 — Describing a Person

Identification:
My best friend, Rina, is a very cheerful girl.

Description:
She has long black hair, bright eyes, and a warm smile. Rina is always kind to everyone and loves helping others. She enjoys drawing and listening to music.