Genre Of The Text

1.    NARRATIVE

Social function : to amuse, entertain, and to deal with 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 resolution.

Generic structure :

a.       Orientation (showing participants and setting)

b.      Complication (containing problem that arises)

c.       Resolution (showing the way to solve the existing problem)

d.      Reorientation (optional)

Language features:

Specific participants, past tense, action verb, saying verb, linking verb, mental verb, temporal conjunction.

• Use of noun phrases ( a beautiful princess, a huge temple)
• Use of adverbial phrases of time and place ( in the garden, two days ago)
• Use of simple past tense ( He walked away from the village)
• Use of action verbs ( walked, slept)
• Use of adjectives phrases ( long black hair)

Narrative can be a myth (mitos), legend (legenda), fable (cerita binatang), folk tale (cerita rakyat), or fairy tale(dongeng).

2.    NEWS ITEM

News item is a text which informs readers about events of the day. The events are considered newsworthy or important.

Social function: To inform readers or listeners about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or important.
Generic structure:

1. News worthy event ( tells the event in a summary form) inti berita
2. Background events ( elaborate what happened, tell what caused the incident) latar belakang berita
3. Sources ( comments by participants, witnesses, authorities and experts involved in the event) sumber informasi

Language features:

• Information on the use of head lines.
• Use of action verbs( hit, attack)
• Use of saying verbs( said, added, claimed)
• Use of passive sentences ( Aceh was hit by Tsunami in 2004)
• Use of adverbs in passive sentences (The victims were badly injured)

News item text adalah jenis teks yang menceritakan mengenai suatu kejadian. Yang jelas tujuan News Item adalah untuk menginformasikan berita ke pembaca or pendengar

Salah satu jenis teks yang rutin nongol di UN adalah News Item. Biasanya beritanya mengenai kecelakaan, namun ada juga tema yang lainnya. Untuk membedakan jenis teks News Item dan teks yang yang lainnya sangat mudah karena News Item punya ciri yang unik yaitu diawali dengan nama kota atau tempat. Ciri lainnya yaitu adanya kutipan dari nara sumber.

Example:
SINGAPORE: A supervisor was jailed for two months for repeatedly striking his Indonesian maid on the head and back with a television remote. (Ini namanya newsworthy event, inti berita ini adalah tentang seorang supervisor yang dipenjara)
Muhammad Shafiq Woon Abdullah was brought to court in Singapore because he had physically hurt the woman on several occasions between June and October 2002, the Straits Time said. (Ini bisa juga termasuk ke dalam source, ada kata “the Strait Time said”, sebagai sumber berita)
The magistrate’s court heard that Shafiq, 31, began striking Winarti, 22, about a month after she started working for him. (Paragraf 2 dan 3 adalah background event, karena menyebutkan latar belakang penyebab kejadian tersebut)
He hit her on the head with the TV sets remote control because he was unhappy with her work. On the occasion, he punched her on the back after accusing her of daydreaming.
S.S. Dhillon, Shafiq’s lawyer, said that his client had become mad when he saw his daughter’s face covered as she was lying in bed. He said his client thought the maid had put the child in danger. (paragraf ini juga merupakan source, ada kata “…lawyer, said”

3.    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

Teks recount adalah jenis teks yang menguraikan atau menceritakan kejadian atau peristiwa yang telah lewat, misalnya kecelakaan, laporan kegiatan, kunjungan ke suatu tempat, atau pengalaman lainnya.

Social function recount: To tell the readers what happened in the past through a sequence of events.
Generic Structure of Recount:

a.       Orientation ( who were involved, when and where was it happened)

b.      Events ( tell what happened in a chronological order)

c.       Re-orientation ( optional – closure of events)

Language features Recount:

• Use of pronouns and nouns ( David, he, she)
• Use of action verbs in past (went, studied)
• Use of past tense ( We went for a trip to the zoo)
• Use of adverbial phrases
• Use of adjectives

Example;

My Day at the Beach

Last week my friend and I were bored after three weeks of holidays, so we rode our bikes to Smith Beach, which is only five kilometres from where I live.  When we arrived at the beach, we were surprised to see there was hardly anyone there.  After having a quick dip in the ocean, which was really cold, we realized one reason there were not many people there.  It was also quite windy.

After we bought some hot chips at the takeaway store nearby, we rode our bikes down the beach for a while, on the hard, damp part of the sand.  We had the wind behind us and, before we knew it, we were many miles down the beach.  Before we made the long trip back, we decided to paddle our feet in the water for a while, and then sit down for a rest.  While we were sitting on the beach, just chatting, it suddenly dawned on us that all the way back, we would be riding into the strong wind.

When we finally made it back home, we were both totally exhausted!  But we learned some good lessons that day.

1.    DESCRIPTIVE

Descriptive text adalah teks yang mendeskripsikan atau menggambarkan bentuk, ciri atau sifat benda, hewan, tumbuh-tumbuhan,  manusia atau peristiwatertentu yang khusus, misalnya seekor jerapah yang hidup di kebun binatang Ragunan, bunga melati di halaman rumahku, atau Dodi temanku yang paling gemuk.

Tujuan (the purpose) descriptive text ialah memberikan informasi atau gambaran benda, hewan, tumbuhan, atau seseorang yang dideskripsikan secara khusus.

Kata kerja (tense) yang digunakan biasanya present simple tense. Akan tetapi bisa juga menggunakan past simple tense, jika benda yang dideskripsikan sudah tidak ada.

Social Function descriptive: To describe a particular person, place or thing.
Generic Structure descriptive:

1. Identification (identify phenomenon to be described) memperkenalkan benda,  hewan, tumbuhan, atau seseorang yang akan dideskripsikan.
2. Description (describe parts, qualities, characteristics) menceritakan bagian perbagian dari objek yang kita deskripsikan,misalnya  penggambaran dimulai dengan menceritakan bentuk fisiknya, kemudian ciri-ciri khusus, kualitas, sifat, dan tingkah laku benda, hewan, tumbuhan, atau seseorang yang dideskripsikan.

Language features descriptive:

• Focus on specific participants
• Use of attributive and identifying processes
• Frequent use classifiers in nominal groups.
• Use of the Simple Present Tense

Example:

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the students are not always able to answer questions about their country. Although Hong Kong is their country, they have had little opportunity to go on excursions. Most of them cannot afford the time or money needed for such trips. Since, they do not know much about Hong Kong’s history and its culture, they have always had to write to the Hong Kong Tourist Association for information.

To give such students sound knowledge about Hong Kong, The Tourist Association decided to start the student ambassador programme. The programme has been carried out for eight years. Young men and women who are going overseas for further studies are selected to undergo a special course dealing with the history, culture and lifestyle of Hong Kong.

Through visits factories, government departments and other places of interest, the young people receive ample information which will enable them to answer a wide range of questions asked by persons abroad.

2.    REPORT

Report text adalah jenis teks yang mendeskripsikan atau menggambarkan bentuk, ciri atau sifat umum (general) benda, hewan, tumbuh-tumbuhan,  manusia atau peristiwa.

Tujuan (purpose) teks ini ialah memberikan informasi atau gambaran tentang ciri-ciri umum benda, hewan, tumbuhan, atau manusia.

Social function report: To describe the way things are (for example: a man -made thing, animals, plants). The things must be a representative of their class.
Generic structure:

1. General classification (introduces the topic of the report/tells what phenomenon under discussion is.) memperkenalkan benda, hewan, tumbuhan, atau seseorang yang akan dibahas. Salah satu caranya adalah dengan membuat definisi atau klasifikasi.
2. Description (tell the details of topic such as physical appearance, parts, qualities, habits/behaviour). menceritakan bagian, kualitas, sifat, tingkah laku benda, hewan, tumbuhan, atau seseorang yang dideskripsikan.

Language features:

• Use of general nouns ( Whales, Kangaroo, Computer)
• Use of present tense(Komodo dragons usually weigh more than 160 kg)
• Use of behavioural verbs (Snakes often sunbathe in the sun)
• Use of technical terms ( Water contains oxygen and hydrogen)
• Use of relating verbs (is, are, has)

Example:

Sea Horse

Many people imagine the sea-horse to be real horse living in the sea. This is not true at all. The sea-horse is so called because it is a tiny creature with a horse – liked head which lives in the sea.

Sea – horse are found mostly in warm seas. They have a long, flexible tail which is used for wrapping around weeds for support. They swim I upright position, their movements being helped by a rapidly oscillating fin on their back. The male sea – horse lays her eggs in this pouch.

The most remarkable thing about the sea – horse is that part of the process of reproduction is taken over by the male creature. One the female sea – horse has laid her eggs in the male creature’s pouch, she leaves. The hatching of the egg is done by the male fish.

Mating begins with the male and the female sea – horses doing courtship dance. The male and female creatures swim around each other in circles. At the end of the dance, the male appears to bow to its partner; but in actually, the male is banding to pump water from his pouch. Next, the female fish lays eggs into the male’s pouch. About two hundred eggs are laid. The pouch, then close up. The female sea-horse now swims away, leaving the male sea-horse to do hatching.

The eggs are hatched about a month later. The young sea-horses are ejected from the male creature’s pouch by means of muscular contractions.

The sea – horse feeds on tiny fish the creatures sucking them into its month.

Perbedaan Descriptive Text dan Recount Text

Teks report atau report text memiliki bentuk yang hampir sama dengan descriptive text. Siswa biasanya mengalami kesulitan membedakan antara kedua jenis teks ini.  Perbedaan yang paling mendasar pada kedua jenis teks ini adalah sebagai berikut.

- Report Text  mennggambarkan bentuk, ciri atau sifat benda, hewan, tumbuh-tumbuhan,  manusia atau peristiwa secara umum (general).

- Descriptive Text  menggambarkan bentuk, ciri atau sifat benda, hewan, tumbuh-tumbuhan,  manusia atau peristiwa secara khusus (specific).

	Descriptive	Report
Participant	spesifik, tertentu	general, umum
Data/ informasi untuk tahu cirri/keadaan participant	Tidak perlu pengamatan, sekali lihat langsung tahu	Lewat pengamatan, observasi, study.
Language	Tidak menggunakan jargon ilmiah	(lazimnya) menggunakan jargon ilmiah

6. PROCEDURE

Procedure Text adalah jenis teks yang menggambarkan atau menjelaskan cara mencapai sesuatu melalui langkah-langkah atau tahapan yang berurutan. Teks ini menerangkan bagaimana seseorang menampilkan serangkaian proses yang berbeda-beda.

Teks procedure biasanya menggunakan simple present tense, dan  menggunakan kalimat perintah (imperative sentence). Selain itu, teks ini juga biasa menggunakan temporal conjunction, misalnya first, second, then, next, dan sebagainya. Tujuan (purpose) teks ini ialah memberikan menjelaskan bagaimana sesuatu itu dicapai, dilakukan, dibuat, atau dioperasikan. Kata kerja (tense) yang biasa digunakan adalah simple present tense dan kalimat perintah (imperative sentence).

Social function Procedure: To help us do a task or make something. They can be a set of instructions or directions.

Generic Structure:

a.         Goals ( the final purpose of doing the instruction) yaitu tujuan (atau judul)

b.        Materials ( ingredients, utensils, equipment to do the instructions) yaitu bahan atau segala sesuatu yang dibutuhkan. Tetapi tidak semua teks procedure mengandung material. Jadi, material ini sifatnya optional atau boleh dihilangkan.

c.         Steps (a set of instruction to achieve the final purpose) yaitu langkah-langkah atau  tahapan untuk mencapai tujuan.

Karena material tidak selalu ada dalam teks procedure, bisa jadi generic structure hanya terdiri atas aim/goal dan diikuti oleh steps.

Language features :

• Use of imperative ( Cut…….., Don’t mix……..)
• Use of action verbs (turn, put)
• Use of connectives(first, then, finally)

Example:

How to Make Jelly

Materials:

1. one packet of jelly crystal

2. a 500 ml jug

3.  250 ml of boiling water

4.  200 ml of cold water

5. a bowl

Steps:

• Empty content of a packet of jelly crystals into the jug
• Add boiling water
• Stir well until crystals dissolve
• Add the cold water and stir
• Pour mixture into a bowl
• Refrigerate until firm

7. ANALYTICAL EXPOSITION

Exposition adalah jenis teks yang berisi tentang argumen-argumen tentang suatu topik. Dalam menulis teks ini, penulis perlu mencari sumber informasi agar argumen yang dikemukakan cukup kuat untuk mempengaruhi pembaca atau pendengar. Dalam kehidupan sehari-hari kita bisa menemukan teks exposition dalam diskusi, pidato, iklan, surat, dsb.

Social function analytical exposition: To persuade the readers or the listeners that something in the case, to analyze or to explain.

Generic Structure analytical exposition:

1. Thesis (usually includes a preview argument. It introduces topics and indicates the writer’s position) berisi tentang suatu pernyataan tentang permasalahan tertentu. Biasanya diawali dengan kalimat I personally think, In my opinion, I believe, dll.
2. Arguments (consists of a point and elaboration sequence. The number of points may vary, but each must be supported by discussion and evidence) berisi tentang alasan-alasan untuk medukung Thesis yang dikemukakan. Diawali dengan kata, atau frase First, Second, Furthermore, In addition, The last, dll.
3. Reiteration (restates the position more forcefully in the light of the arguments presented) berisi tentang simpulan dari Thesis, dan Arguments yang dikemukakan. Kata-kata yang digunakan biasanya In my conclusion, Based on the arguments above, dll   

Language features analytical exposition:

• Emotive words such as : alarmed, worried.
• Words that qualify statements such as: usual probably
• Words that link arguments such as: firstly, however, on the other hand, therefore.
• Usually present tense
• Compound and complex sentences

Example:

Smoking in Restaurant

Smoking in restaurants is just not on.  It must not be allowed because it is rude, harmful to others and dangerous for the smokers.

Firstly, smoking in a restaurant is impolite.  The smell of the smoke affects all people and can turn them off their food.  People pay to taste good food and not to be put off by foul smelling smoke.

Another reason smoking should not be allowed in restaurant is the harm it can do to others.  Passive smoking that is breathing in smoke made by a smoker can lead to asthma attacks and even cancer.

Finally, smoking is dangerous and a health risk to the smokers.  Cigarettes cause heart and lung disease and people should not smoke anywhere, not just in restaurants.

Therefore, smoking in restaurants is impolite, harmful to others and a health risk to the smokers and should not be allowed in any restaurants.

8. HORTATORY EXPOSITION

Teks hortatory exposition berisi tentang teks yang mengemukakan alasan-alasan dengan tujuan untuk membujuk pendengar atau pembaca agar mau mengikuti apa yang dikemukakan penulis. Dalam pelajaran bahasa Indonesia kita tentu sudah mengenal teks persuasi, yang sama isinya dengan teks hortatory.

Social function hortatory exposition: To persuade the readers or the listeners that something should or should not be the case.
Generic structure hortatory exposition:

1. Thesis ( stating an issue of concern) berisi tentang suatu pernyataan tentang permasalahan tertentu. Biasanya diawali dengan kalimat I personally think, In my opinion, I believe, dll.
2. Arguments ( giving reasons for concern, leading recommendation) berisi tentang alasan-alasan untuk medukung Thesis yang dikemukakan. Diawali dengan kata, atau frase First, Second, Furthermore, In addition, The last, dll.
3. Recommendation (stating what ought or ought not to happen) berisi tentang saran dari penulis atas Thesis dan Arguments yang dikemukakan. Biasanya ada kata-kata should, should not, ought to, ought not to, dll.

Language features hortatory exposition:

• Emotive words: alarmed, worried
• Words that qualify statements: usual probably
• Words that link arguments: firstly, however, on the other hand, therefore
• Usually present tense
• Compound and complex sentences
• Modal auxiliary: can, may, should, must

Teks hortatory di awali dengan Thesis, yaitu menuliskan opini penulis tentang suatu masalah. Kemudian dilanjutkan dengan argumen, yaitu alasan-alasan yang mendukung pendapat penulis. Terakhir, menuliskan saran atau nasihat.
Contoh Teks hortatory dalam bentuk surat:
Dear Editor,

We are writing to complain about ads on TV. There are so many ads, especially during our favourite programmes. We think they should be stopped for a number of reasons.
First, ads are nuisance. They go on for a long time and there are so many. Sometimes there seems to be more ads than programmes.

Second, ads are bad influence on people. They try to encourage people to buy unhealthy food like beer, soft drink, candy and chips. And they make people want things they do not really need and can not.

Finally, the people who make ads have too much say in what programmes people watch. That is because they want to put all their ads on popular programs that a lot of people watch. Some programmes which are not so popular get stopped because they do not attract enough ads, even though those programmes may be someone’s favourite.

For those reasons, we think TV station should stop showing ads. They interrupt programmes. They are bad influences on people, and they are sometimes put a stop to people’s favourite shows. We are sick of ads, and now we mostly watch other channels.

David
Coba perhatikan teks di atas. Paragraf pertama berisi thesis, yang dilanjutkan dengan arguments (alasan) di paragraf 2, 3, dan 4. Paragraf ke 5 berisi tentang recommendation (saran). Isi dari paragraf terakhir inilah yang membedakan teks horatatory dan analytical.
9. EXPLANATION

Social function explanation: To explain the process involved in the formation or working of natural or socio cultural phenomena
Generic structure explanation:

1. A general statement to position the reader
2. A sequenced explanation of why or how something occurs (usually a series of logical steps in the process)

Language features explanation:

• Focus on generic, non-human participants.
• Use mainly of general and abstract nouns, action verbs, simple present tense, passive voice, conjunction of time and cause, noun phrases, complex sentences, and technical language.

Example:

How Venus Eclipse Happens

On May 16, 2010, people in most regions in the world have seen a very rare naturalphenomenon. It was Venus eclipse. It was very rare amazing natural event. It was reported thatthe Venus eclipse will seen again in the future in 2050. Do you know how this rare Venus eclipsehappens?

Well, actually Venus eclipse is like Sun eclipse. Venus eclipses occurs when the position of theearth, moon and Venus is parallel. Venus planet will slowly disappear for a moment because it discovered the surface of the Moon.

Venus planet seems to move to the back side of the Moon.The moon and planets are sharing a similar apparent path in the sky. That is why, it is not unusual for the moon to appear to pass close to Venus. In fact, the moon appears somewherenear it about once a month. However, most people don¶t see these events because they are visiblein the evening sky only half the time, and then only for a short period after sunset. The apparentcloseness varies from month to month as well.

Perbedaan teks procedure  dan explanation, teks procedure lebih simple. Namun teks explanation lebih ilmiah.