Based On Generic Structure and Language Feature Dominantly Used
Based On Generic Structure and Language Feature Dominantly Used
Based On Generic Structure and Language Feature Dominantly Used
They are narrative, recount, descriptive, report, explanation, analytical exposition, hortatory exposition,
procedure, discussion, review, anecdote, spoof, and news item. These variations are known as
GENRES.
NARRATIVE
Purpose: To amuse/entertain the readers and to tell a story
Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Complication
3. Resolution
4. Reorientation
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Past Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Chronologically arranged
RECOUNT
Purpose: to retell something that happened in the past and to tell a series of past event
Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Event(s)
3. Reorientation
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Past Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Using adjectives
Narrative and recount in some ways are similar. Both are telling something in the past so narrative and
recount usually apply PAST TENSE; whether Simple Past Tense, Simple Past Continuous Tense, or
Past Perfect Tense. The ways narrative and recount told are in chronological order using time or place.
Commonly narrative text is found in story book; myth, fable, folklore, etc while recount text is found in
biography.
The thing that makes narrative and recount different is the structure in which they are constructed.
Narrative uses conflicts among the participants whether natural conflict, social conflict or psychological
conflict. In some ways narrative text combines all these conflicts. In the contrary, we do not find these
conflicts inside recount text. Recount applies series of event as the basic structure
DESCRIPTIVE
Purpose: to describe a particular person, place or thing in detail.
Dominant Generic Structure:
1. Identification
2. Description
Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Using adverb
4. Using special technical terms
REPORT
Purpose: to presents information about something, as it is.
Generic Structure
1. General classification
2. Description
Dominant Language Feature
best to describe "How will student do for his examination? The point is the important thing to do. But for
the question" How should student do for his exam?" will be good to be answered with hortatory. It is to
convince that the thing should be done
PROCEDURE
Purpose: to help readers how to do or make something completely
Generic Structure:
1. Goal/Aim
2. Materials/Equipments
3. Steps/Methods
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Using Imperatives sentence
3. Using adverb
4. Using technical terms
DISCUSSION
Purpose: to present information and opinions about issues in more one side of an issue (For/Pros and
Against/Cons)
Generic Structure:
1. Issue
2. Arguments for and against
3. Conclusion
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Use of relating verb/to be
3. Using thinking verb
4. Using general and abstract noun
5. Using conjunction/transition
6. Using modality
7. Using adverb of manner
REVIEW
Purpose: to critique or evaluate an art work or event for a public audience
dominant Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Evaluation
3. Interpretative Recount
4. Evaluation
5. Evaluative Summation
Dominant Language features:
1. Focus on specific participants
2. Using adjectives
3. Using long and complex clauses
4. Using metaphor
ANECDOTE
Purpose: to share with others an account of an unusual or amusing incident
Generic Structure:
1. Abstract
2. Orientation
3. Crisis
4. Reaction
5. Coda.
Dominant Language Features:
Narrative
Narrative Text
Definition of Narrative
Narrative is a text focusing specific participants. Its social function is to tell stories or past events and
entertain the readers.
Generic Structure of Narrative
A narrative text will consists of the following structure:
1. Orientation: Introducing the participants and informing the time and the place
2. Complication: Describing the rising crises which the participants have to do with
3. Resolution: Showing the way of participant to solve the crises, better or worse
Language Features of Narrative
Using processes verbs
Using temporal conjunction
Using Simple Past Tense
The Myth of 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 Kundangs 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.
(Re-written from www.st.rim.or.jp)
RECOUNT
Recount Text
Definition of Recount
Recount is a text which retells events or experiences in the past. Its purpose is either to inform or to
entertain the audience. There is no complication among the participants and that differentiates
from narrative
Generic Structure of Recount
1. Orientation: Introducing the participants, place and time
2. Events: Describing series of event that happened in the past
3. Reorientation: It is optional. Stating personal comment of the writer to the story
Language Feature of Recount
Introducing personal participant; I, my group, etc
Using chronological connection; then, first, etc
Using linking verb; was, were, saw, heard, etc
Using action verb; look, go, change, etc
Using simple past tense
My Horrible Experience
Let me remind you my experience during an earthquake last week. When the earthquake happened, I
was on my car. I was driving home from my vocation to Bali.
Suddenly my car lunched to one side, to the left. I thought I got flat tire. I did not know that it was an
earthquake. I knew it was an earthquake when I saw some telephone and electricity poles falling down
to the ground, like matchsticks.
Then I saw a lot of rocks tumbling across the road. I was trapped by the rock. Even I could not move my
car at all. There were rocks everywhere. There was nothing I could do but left the car and walked along
way to my house, in the town.
When I reached my town, I was so surprised that there was almost nothing left. The earthquake made a
lot of damage to my town. Although nothing was left, I thanked God that nobody was seriously injured.
Analyzing the Text
Generic Structure Analysis
Orientation; introducing the participant, using first person point of view, I was on the car las week.
Events; describing a series of event which happened. The car lunched to one side. Telephone and
electricity poles was falling down, etc.
Re-orientation; stating the writer's personal note. Thanking God because nobody was seriously injured.
Language Feature Analysis
Using personal participant; I
Using chronological connectives; then, and, suddenly
Using linking verb; was, were
Using action verb; moved, left, walked, made, etc
Using simple past tense pattern; earthquake happened, I was on the car, my car lunched on one side,
etc
DESCRIPTIVE
Borobudur temple
Borobudur is Hindu - Budhist temple. It was build in the nineth century under Sailendra dynasty of
ancient Mataram kingdom. Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.
Borobudur is well-known all over the world. Its construction is influenced by the Gupta architecture of
India. The temple is constructed on a hill 46 m high and consist of eight step like stone terrace. The first
five terrace are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Budist sculpture in bas-relief. The upper
three are circular. Each of them is with a circle of bell shape-stupa. The entire adifice is crowned by a
large stupa at the centre at the centre of the top circle. The way to the summit extends through some 4.8
km of passage and starways. The design of borobudur which symbolizes the structure of universe
influences temples at Angkor, Cambodia.
Borobudur temple which is rededicated as an Indonesian monument in 1983 is a valuable treasure for
Indonesian people.
Analyzing the Text
Generic Structure Analysis
Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described in general; Borobudur temple
Description; describing the Borobudur temple in parts; eight terraces of Borobudur temple and its
characteristics
Language Feature Analysis
Using adjective and classifiers; valuable
Using simple present tense; Borobudur is well-known,The temple is constructed, etc
Procedure Text
Definition of Procedure
Procedure is a text that show a process in order. Its social function is to describe how something is
completely done through a sequence of series
Generic Structure of Procedure
1. Goal: showing the purpose
2. Material: Telling the needed materials
3. Step 1-end: Describing the steps to achieve the purpose
Language Feature of Procedure
Using temporal conjunction
Using action verb
Using imperative sentence
Using Simple Present Tense
Analisys
Social Function ;
To describe how something is accomplished through a sequence of actions or steps
Significant Lexicogrammatical feature
Goal ; to make banana French
Material needed:
1 ripe black-skinned plantain or 4 small finger banana (make sure that the
banana is sweet)
1 egg
1 tsp. sugar
6 Tbs. flour
water
a pinch of salt
Steps
first you must Place flour in a deep mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle of
the flour, and add egg, sugar and salt. Add water little by little. Whisk vigorously
until batter is evenly smooth for coating and not too thin. If it is too thin, add
more flour.
Then you Peel plantain or banana and cut in half lengthwise and then cut again
with 4-inch width. Dip into batter to coat generously.
Heat oil in a wok or deep fryer until moderately hot. Place coated plantain or
banana in the wok or deep fryer and fry slowly until golden brown and crispy.
This usually take approximately 10-15 minutes. Remove bananas from oil, drain
Report
Definition of Report
Report is a text which presents information about something, as it is. It is as a result of
systematic observation and analysis
Generic Structure of Report
1. General classification: Stating classification of general aspect of thing; animal, public
place, plant, etc which will be discussed in general
2. Description: Describing the thing which will be discussed in detail; part per part ,
customs or deed for living creature and usage for materials
Language Feature of Report
Introducing group or general aspect
Using conditional logical connection; when, so, etc
Using simple present tense
Television
Television, or TV, is one of humanity's most important means of communication. It brings pictures and
sounds from around the world into millions of homes.
People, with a television set in their houses, can sit and watch the president makes a speech or visits a
foreign country. They can see a war being fought. Through television, viewers at home can see and
learn about people, places, and things in a away lands.
Additionally, television brings its viewers a steady stream of programs that are designed to entertain. In
fact, TV provides many more entertainment programs than any other kind of information media. The
programs include action-packed dramas, light comedies, soap operas, sports events, cartoons, quizzes,
variety shows and motion pictures.
Analytical Exposition
Analytical Exposition Text
Definition of Analytical Exposition
Exposition is a text that elaborates the writers idea about the phenomenon surrounding. Its social
function is to persuade the reader that the idea is important matter.
Generic Structure of Analytical Exposition
1. Thesis: Introducing the topic and indicating the writers position
2. Arguments: Explaining the arguments to support the writers position
3. Reiteration: Restating the writers position
Language Features of Analytical Exposition
Explanation
Explanation Text
Definition and purposes of Explanation
Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific and cultural
phenomena.Explanation text is to say 'why' and 'how' about the forming of the phenomena. It is often
found in science, geography and history text books.
Generic structure of Explanation
General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained.
Sequenced explanation; stating a series of steps which explain the phenomena.
Language Feature of Explanation
Featuring generic participant; sun, rain, etc
Using chronological connection; to begin with, next, etc
Using passive voice pattern
Using simple present tense
Tsunami
The term of tsunami comes from the Japanese which means harbour ("tsu") and wave
("nami"). A tsunami is a series of waves generated when water in a lake or a sea is
rapidly displaced on a massive scale.
A tsunami can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces
the overlying water. Such large vertical movements of the earth's crust can occur at plate
boundaries.
Subduction of earthquakes are particularly effective in generating tsunami, and occur
where denser oceanic plates slip under continental plates.
As the displaced water mass moves under the influence of gravity to regain its
equilibrium, it radiates across the ocean like ripples on a pond.
Tsunami always bring great damage. Most of the damage is caused by the huge mass of
water behind the initial wave front, as the height of the sea keeps rising fast and floods
powerfully into the coastal area.
Discussion Text
Definition of Discussion
Discussion is a text which present a problematic discourse. This problem will be discussed from different
viewpoints. Discussion is commonly found in philosophical, historic, and social text.
Generic Structure of Discussion
Statement of issue; stating the issue which is to discussed
List of supporting points; presenting the point in in supporting the presented issue
List of contrastive point; presenting other points which disagree to the supporting point
Recommendation; stating the writer' recommendation of the discourse
Language Feature of Discussion
Introducing category or generic participant
Using thinking verb; feel, hope, believe, etc
Using additive, contrastive, and causal connection; similarly, on the hand, however, etc
Using modalities; must, should, could, may, etc
Using adverbial of manner; deliberately, hopefully, etc
After High School
Going to college or getting a job right after graduating high school is the common choices of teens will
likely face. Some likely choose to continue studying at college or university but the others try to find job.
Here are the reasons.
Why is it so important for student to continue on to post-secondary education; university or college? The
reason is that post-secondary education will allow them to get the skills and tools that they will need to
help them prepare for a good career. It has been said that the more education they have the more
careers will be open for them to choose from. Employers today will tend to be more open to a person
with the more education.
However some of them choose to get job right after high school. They believe that education is critical
but college is not. In fact, there are numerous careers, such as in healthcare, technology, operations,
transportation, and the building trades, that do not require a four-year degree from college or university.
Furthermore, as they advance in these careers, there is also nothing stopping them from pursing a
college degree at a later age.
So, what are you doing after graduating high school? Think carefully!
News Item
1. Definition of News Item:
News item is a text which informs readers about events of the day. The events are considered
newsworthy or important.
Spoof
Spoof Text
Definition and Social Function of Spoof
Spoof is a text which tells factual story, happened in the past time with unpredictable and funny ending.
Its social function is to entertain and share the story.
Generic Structure of Spoof
1. Orientation
2. Events
3. Twist
Language Feature of Spoof
1. Focusing on people, animals or certain things
2. Using action verb; ate, ran, etc
3. Using adverb of time and place
4. Told in chronological order
There was a man who liked money very much. He worked all of his life and wanted to save all of his
money for his own future. He was a real miser when it came to his money. He loved money more than
just about anything.
Even, just before he died, he said to his wife; "Now listen, when I die, I want you to take all my money
and place it in the casket with me. I wanna take my money to the afterlife." So he asked his wife to
promise him with all her heart that when he died, she would put all the money in the casket with him.
Well, one day, he really died. Then he was stretched out in the casket. The wife was sitting there in
black clothes next to her closest friend. When they finished the ceremony, just before the undertakers
got ready to close the casket, the wife said "Wait just a minute!"
She had a box in her hands. She came over with the box and placed it in the casket. After that the
undertakers locked the casket down and rolled it away. Not long after that, her friend said, "I hope you
were not crazy enough to put all that money in the casket."
The wife turned to her friend and replied; "Yes, because I have promised." Then she continued; "I can't
lie. I promised him that I was going to put that money in that casket with him." Feeling shocked, her
friend said; "You mean that you have put every cent of his money in the casket with him?" Then the wife
answered; "Surely I did. I got it all together, put all the money into my account and I just wrote him a
check."