\
2. Applying Textual Features of a Narrative Text
In this study, textual features are classified into two parts: generic structure and linguistic features vocabulary and grammar. Thus, there is a discussion
about applying generic structure and applying linguistic features in this section. In the discussion, the writer refers to three theories presented by Hardy and
Klarwein, by the Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand and by Certificates in Written and Spoken English CSWE, which is the national ESL
framework in Australia.
a. Applying Generic Structure of a Narrative Text
Generic structure is the organization of a text or the obligatory elements of a genre Hardy and Klarwein, 1990: 14. It is a must for a text to a have generic
structure. According to Hardy and Klarwein 1990: 20, the generic structure of a narrative text comprises orientation, complication, and resolution.
1 Orientation: Orientation is the setting in time and place and the characters of the story.
2 Complication: Complication is the problem to be solved by the character of a story.
3 Resolution: Resolution is the solution to the complication. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand http:
english.unitecnology.ac.nz2007 mentions that the following parts comprise the generic structure of a narrative text:
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\ 1 Orientation Introduction
In this part, the characters, setting, and the time of the story are established. This part usually answers the questions who, when, and where, e.g.
Mr. Wolf went out hunting in the forest one dark gloomy night. 2 Complication or Problem
The complication or problem involves characters. This complication part often mirrors the complication in real life.
3 Resolution There must be resolutions of the complications. Complication should
be resolved for better or worse or happily or unhappily. This resolution part adds and sustains interest and suspense for the reader.
Basically, the Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand and Hardy and Klarwein have the similar idea of the generic structure of a narrative text.
They suggest the same generic structure that includes orientation, complication and resolution. In conclusion, the generic structure that must present in students’
textual features of a narrative text comprises orientation, complication and resolution.
b. Applying Linguistic Features of a Narrative Text
The linguistic features of a genre involve vocabulary and grammar of a genre. According to Hardy and Klarwein 1990: 14, beside vocabulary and
grammar, there are two more important parts of linguistic features of a text. They are likely functions and associated grammar and vocabulary and other significant
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\ features. Thus, according to Hardy and Klarwein 1990: 20, the linguistic
features of a narrative text are vocabulary, grammar, likely functions and associated grammar and vocabulary and other significant features.
1 Vocabulary In a narrative text, the vocabulary should be relevant to the subject matter.
The subject matter refers to the events, setting and characters andor issues and themes, e.g. Snow White, Doc, America, dwarves, castle, ran away, little cottage
this vocabulary are taken from a narrative text titled “Snow White” see Appendix 1 telling the story of Snow White who ran away from home and met
the 7 dwarves. 2 Grammar
The grammar is related to the verb type and the verb form tense. The verb type might be action, relational or mental. The tense of the verb should be
appropriate to the meaning behind expressed, which it might be present, past, and active or passive form. In a narrative text, the relational verb to be and have and
action verbs are usually used. Past tense is usually applied in a narrative text. 3 Likely functions and associated grammar and vocabulary
In a narrative text, the language functions are to describe characteristics and appearance. In describing characteristics and appearances, adjectives are used
in a narrative text. 4 Other significant features
Using direct speech in a narrative text is common. Direct speeches or dialogs among characters are common in a narrative text. It means that it is not a
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\ must for a narrative text to have. Thus, direct speech is not taken into account in
this study. Another theory on linguistic features of a narrative text is suggested in
Certificates in Written and Spoken English CSWE in Feez’s Text-based Syllabus Design
. In the CSWE, there are three learning focus area in learning ESL Feez, 2002: 108. They are learning for community access, for further study, and for
vocational English. High school students learn ESL for their further study. Thus, the CSWE framework for further study is used. In the framework, the significant
linguistic features of a narrative text comprise Feez, 2002: 99: series of clauses in past tense linked with conjunctions, main ideas across the text, specific
information in clauses, clauses with range of past tenses, directindirect speech, etc., and vocabulary for characters, contexts and events.
Hardy and Klarwein and CSWE actually have the similar idea of linguistic features of a narrative text. Both theories presented by Hardy and Klarwein and
CSWE agree that the linguistic features include a vocabulary that is relevant to the subject matter, b past tense, c adjectives to give specific information on
characteristic and appearance of the characters in the story. Besides the vocabulary, past tense, and adjectives, the CSWE also
mentions “series of clauses in past tense linked with conjunctions” and “main ideas across the text”. The “ideas across the text” are not taken into account in this
study as they are included in the scope of contextual factors of a narrative text. Meanwhile, the conjunctions or transitions are taken into account in this study.
Transitions are important in a narrative text as Mcmurrey and Campman 1983: 16
\ 259 state that without transition, readers often get lost in a story. Mcmurrey and
Campman 1983: 259 also mention that transitions that are used in a narrative text indicate the passage of time, e.g. ‘then’, ‘next’, ‘a week later’, ‘years later’,
‘soon’, ‘when’, ‘meanwhile’. In brief, time transition is included in the linguistic features of a narrative text.
To conclude, a student should carefully apply: a vocabulary that is relevant to the subject matter, b past tense, c adjectives to give specific
information on characteristic and appearance of the characters in the story, and d time transitions in developing a narrative text.
The following is an example of a narrative text taken from Panduan Materi Ujian Sekolah Tahun Pelajaran 20042005 SMAMA
and the explanation of the textual features of the narrative text.
The Man and the Bees
Orientation The man felt very weak. He hadn’t got spirit to work the
day before. His wife felt weak too and so told him to go and look for honey to drink for making anergy.
The man searched for honey in the forest.
Complication After many hours he still hadn’t found any sign of hive.
Resolution He looked up and saw a bee hive dripping with honey.
Complication He tried to climb the tree but he was too heavy so he
decided to cut the tree over. Resolution
He cut and cut then the tree came down. He saw the hive tangled in the branches. He searched into it for the
honey.
Complication Suddenly the bees began to attack him. The man started
to run. But the bees buzzed after him. They were stinging him as he ran.
Resolution At last he saw a river. He ran and dived into the water.
At last he had escaped the bees. He stayed in the water of the river for hours and went home to his wife.
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\ The narrative text titled “The Man and the Bees” applies the generic structure,
which comprises orientation, complications and resolutions. “The Man and the Bees” also has the vocabulary that is relevant to the subject matter i.e. the man,
the wife, weak, work, honey, bees, run, buzzed after, stinging, dived, river, etc.. The past tense sentences are also used in the story. “The Man and the Bees” also
uses time transitions like ‘after many hours’, ‘then’, and ‘at last’. Adjectives are also applied, for example ‘heavy’ and ‘weak’ to describe the character of the man
in the story.
3. A Brief Review of Errors
Kategori