53 category is always used in all themes. Therefore, assertive category is the most
frequently employed speech act category. The text writers prefer to commit themselves to the truth of the proposition than ask other people to do an action and
express their feeling toward the issue. They prefer to explain why this accident can happen and give the solution to solve the issue. Here, the researcher provides the
example: 30
TK.77 If all such incidents were reported, the JP would probably have to expand
the size of the newspaper.
The text has one speech act category. The text writer explains the contrast of the fact. Actually, the incidents are not reported in mass media. It means that
there are many incidents happened are not reported. The text writer thinks that the Jakarta Post must expand the size of the newspaper if all incidents are reported. It
is clear that the speaker convinces the readers to believe what the fact. Through this text, the text writer shows his assertive category.
12. Theme L: Sanctions against Firms Burning Forests
Forest fire had been quite an issue especially with international pressures regarding haze and climate change. Indonesian Supreme Court’s decided to hand a
hefty fine of Rp.366 billion US25.2 million to a company found to have caused forest fires.
This theme has 7 texts of the readers’ opinion. The researcher found out only three speech act categories in the texts: assertive, directive, and expressive
categories. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
54
Table 4.12 Speech act category classification in Theme L
Theme L Speech act category
No Text
ass com
dir exp
dec 1
TL.80 -
- -
-
2 TL.81
-
- -
- 3
TL.82
- -
- -
4 TL.83
-
-
- 5
TL.84
- -
- -
6 TL.85
-
-
- 7
TL.86
- -
- -
Total 6
1 2
From table 4.12, there are 6 assertive categories, 1 directive category, and 2 expressive categories. It is clear that assertive category is the most frequently
employed speech act category. The typical characteristic of TYS column in the theme is that assertive category is the most frequently employed in the texts. The
text writers tend to commit themselves to the truth of the proposition through their opinion. They do not really agree with the
Indonesian Supreme Court’s policy. They are uncertain the function of handing a hefty fine. They also explain how
forest fires are caused. Here, the researcher provides the example: 1
TL.86 A large amount of the fires are started by the local community with the
purpose of encroaching on land owned by large corporations. The burnt area is quickly planted with oil palm and the community starts a land dispute
with the legal land owners. This tactic is widespread, and the corporation end up getting fined because the land where the fire started was their title
deed. The results of this are job losses and increased commodity prices. Not a healthy situation at all.
The text has one speech act category. The text writer shows the assertive category in all sentences through the declarative mood type. The text writer
conveys the information about the reason of firing forests. The fired forests is a PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
55 tactic. The text writer also explains the results of the problems. Through this text,
the text writer convinces the readers to believe what he says.
13. Theme M: Heavy Sanctions against Firms Burning Forests
As a continuation on the Theme L, there were 5 texts responding to this heavy sanctions against firms burning forests issues. From Table 4.13, the
researcher finds out 4 assertive categories, 2 directive categories, and 1 expressive category. Similar to the previous theme, assertive category is the most frequently
employed speech act category. It is followed by directive category in the second position and expressive category in the third position.
Table 4.13 Speech act category classification in Theme M
Theme M Speech act category
No Text
ass com
dir exp
dec 1
TM.87
- -
- -
2 TM.88
-
- -
- 3
TM.89 -
-
- -
4 TM.90
-
-
- 5
TM.91
-
- -
Total 4
2 1
As the typical characteristic of TYS column in the theme, the texts writers still tend to commit themselves to the truth of the proposition toward the issue.
Similar with the previous theme, they do not really agree with the Indonesian Supreme Court’s policy. They want the government solve the forest fires through
their statement and explanation of forest fires. The researcher provides the example: 2
TM.87 A drop in the ocean, but better than nothing anyway.
