Descriptive Texts

The Definition and Purpose of Descriptive Text

Descriptive text is a text which says what a person or a thing is like. Its purpose is to describe and reveal a particular person, place, or thing.

The Generic Structure of Descriptive Text

Descriptive text has structure as below:

§  Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described.

§  Description; describing the phenomenon in parts, qualities, or/and characteristics.

The Language Feature of Descriptive Text

§  Focus on specific participants.

§  Using adjective.

§  Using adverb

§  Using simple present tense

Examples and structures of the text

MacQuarie University
Identification	Macquarie University is one of the largest universities in Australia. This year, in 2004, it celebrates its 40thanniversary.
Description	The university is located at the North Ryde Greenbelt, Sydney, where the New South Wales government sets aside 135 hectares for the institution. In 1964, Macquarie area was a rural retreat on the city fringe, but today the campus and its surroundings have evolved beyond recognition. The North Ryde District has grown into a district of intensive occupation anchored by a vibrant and growing university.Blessed with a fortunate location and room to breathe, Macquarie can be proud of that careful planning that retains and enrich the university’s most attractive natural features. A pleasing balance between buildings and plating is evident across the campus. This emphasis on the importance of landscape has created images of Macquarie as a place that members of the university are most likely to pleasurably recollect. One of the highlights of the landscape is the Mars Creek zone. It comprises landscaped creek sides and valley floor, a grass amphitheatre, and artificial lake… surrounded by rocks and pebbles, native plants and eucalypts. Today, a railway station is under construction. In three years time, Macquarie will be the only university in Australia with a railway station on site. Macquarie is poised to be the most readily accessible in Sydney region by rail and motorway, yet retaining its beautiful site.

Exercise I

Name ___________________

Date____________________

Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the questions.

America's 78 million credit cardholders carried an average balance of $7,564 last year. The cost in interest and fees amounted to more than $1,000 for the typical budget. If you just said, "Budget - what budget?," you know what I mean. Truth is, most of us go on spending sprees from time to time.

But, when power shopping creates the illusion of success, even as debts spiral out of control, it has become a weakness. Some obvious signs that spending is out of control include making minimum payments on your credit cards, late fees, bounced checks, lack of a budget and loss of sleep over money worries.

Answer the question using the information form the paragraph. Give evidence if needed.

1. How many people in America have credit cards? On the average how much do they put on their cards?

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2. Why does the author seem to think we go on big shopping sprees?

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3. What indicates you may be shopping more than you should?

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4. Do you feel as if the author may feel that shopping is bad for our health? Explain.

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5. Why did Terry's mom give Terry two ice cream sandwiches?

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6. Counting all of the credit card holders in America, how much do Americans spend just on interest?

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