2 Description: describes parts, qualities, characteristics.
Similarly, Hammond 1992:78 states that a descriptive text has two generic structures, namely:
1 Identification: the purpose is to identify the person, place or thing to be
described. 2
Description: the purpose is to describe parts, qualities, and characteristics of an object.
From the above description of the generic structure of a descriptive text, it is clear that in constructing a descriptive text there must be two elements. They
are identification, the purpose of which is to identify the phenomenon the person, place, or thing to be described; and description, the purpose of which is to
describe parts, qualities, and characteristics of an object.
2.2.6.3 Significant Lexicogrammatical Features of a Descriptive Text
Acording to Hammond 1996:78, a descriptive text has four lexicogrammatical features, i.e.:
1 Focus on specific participants.
In a descriptive text, the participant involved in the text is described in details in order of sequence.
2 Use of attributive and identifying process
In identification process, the phenomenon of thing and the sequence of time are described completely.
3 Use of epithets and classifiers in nominal group frequently
Often to describe something in detail, the words used are too long. Epithet is used to overcome the words used. Epithet is a term used to
characterize someone or something, i.e. rather than say rebellion in a descriptive text it can be replaced with the epithet communist.
4 Use of simple present tense
The tense used in a descriptive text is simple present tense with the use of third person singular pronoun.
In the same line, it was pointed out What-is-descriptive: 2009 that some language features of a descriptive text are as the following:
1 The use of adjectives and compound adjectives e.g.: a five hundred
seated football stadium; a beautiful ancient Roman opera house. 2
The use of Linking Verbs relating verbs e.g. : The temple is so magnificent; The temple consists of five terraces.
3 The use of Simple Present Tense e.g. : The museum houses hundreds
of Greek Statues; The hotel provides 450 rooms and a large swimming pool.
4 The use of degree of comparison e.g.: The weather in Jakarta is hotter
than Bandung; Bogor has the same weather as Ungaran. Parallel with this, Hyland 2004:214 also suggests that a simple
characteristic of description is that it demands the use of present tense and uses of “be” and “have” in describing something. Briefly, a descriptive text requires some
specific characters: it must use “be” and “have”, nominal groups and adjective.
The lexicogrammar of a descriptive text is dominated by the use of simple present tense. This is due to the factual nature of a descriptive text, i.e. it only shows fact.
2.2.7 Assessment of Spoken Language
