Description Text – Definition, Characteristics, Structure, Pattern, Rules

Definition of Description Text

The descriptive text describes an object or atmosphere in detail and clearly so that the reader seems to feel or experience it himself. This understanding is reinforced by the expert opinion below.

According to Dalman (2018, p. 94) reveals that descriptive text is writing that describes or describes particular objects or events in clear and detailed words as if the reader also feels and experiences directly whatever is described by the author.

Still related to the opinion above, Kurniasari (2014, p. 141) argues that descriptive text contains the experience of seeing and feeling objects that are clearly described so that the reader can feel what the author sees or thinks for himself.

Type of Description Text by Shape

If we sort out the types of descriptive text in terms of its shape, this text can be divided into two types of categories, namely: 

1. The descriptive text stands alone as a single text (descriptive essay, prose non-imaginative descriptions, etc.).
2. Descriptive text is part of other texts such as short stories, fantasy stories, advertising texts, observation reports, etc.

Feature Text Description

We can dissect the descriptive text based on its characteristics, both in general and in detail, from each of its constituent elements (objectives, content, language rules). Everything will be discussed comprehensively here. Dalman (2018, p.94) argues that these characteristics are as follows. 

1. Pay attention to details or details about objects,
2. It influences sensitivity and shapes the reader's imagination,
3. Delivered in a captivating style and with an evocative choice of words,
4. Describes something that can be heard, seen, and felt, for example, objects, nature, colors, and people.

Meanwhile, still having the same opinion, Kurniasari (2014, p.141) revealed that the characteristics of descriptive text include the following:

1. The contents describe an object, place, living thing, or a particular atmosphere.
2. The depiction is done using the five senses used, including the sense of sight, the sense of hearing, the sense of smell, the purpose of taste, or the sense of touch.
3. The purpose of reading a descriptive paragraph is as if the person reading or being told feels and sees the object in question for themselves.

In addition to the general characteristics above, we can also sort the characteristics of this text into the special characteristics of each part. Here is the presentation.

Characteristics of Description Text by Purpose

1. The purpose of descriptive text is to describe the object in detail subjectively, which means describing the object's condition based on the author's point of view.
2. The descriptive text describes or describes in detail through as concrete a description as possible an object, atmosphere, or feeling. The reader seems to see, hear, and experience what the author describes.

Characteristics of Text Object Description

The objects discussed in the descriptive text are special or certain objects different from other (unique) objects. The object described is personal (subjective, based on the author's disposition).

Characteristics of Content Description Text

In essence, based on the content, the descriptive text will be in detail, detailing the parts of the object that are described concretely, using special words. Here is the description.

1. The contents of the description text are broken down to become details of the parts that make up the unity of an object.
2. The contents of the description describe concretely or concretely; for example, the hill is beautiful, what is beautiful like? For example, the hill is beautiful, green and fresh-looking, covered by the turquoise mountains and the bright blue sky stretching out.
3. Use lots of special words. For example, common words are color, and special words include green, blue, orange, etc.
4. It is personal with the emotional content of the author, so he usually uses words of strong emotion (my mother is tough, the beauty of the beach, the waves are pounding, etc.).

Characteristics of Description Text in terms of Language Use (Language Rules)

Descriptive texts can be distinguished in terms of language use or linguistic rules. Here are some of these characteristics in terms of language use or linguistic rules.

1. Using special words to concretize, for example, not only using the general word "color" but directly mentioning: yellow, red, green, blue, etc.
2. Using detailed sentences to concretize, for example, My mother is a very good person. This is followed by a detailed sentence from good: "He always tries to help others, and his speech is soft to everyone."
3. Use more emotional words (strong emotions). For example, instead of using beautiful, this text usually uses synonyms with stronger emotions such as beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, amazing.
4. It uses the figure of speech or language style that uses parables. For example: "The turquoise blue sea is like a beautiful rug that stretches out, accompanied by waving palm trees and the sea breeze gently caressing our faces."
5. Using language that makes the reader see, hear, and feel what is being described.
6. Many use personal pronouns: my mother, you, we, you, we, etc.

Description Text Structure

In general, descriptive text structure consists of identification, section description, and closing. Here are the details.

1.      General Description

It consists of Identification and classification. Identification contains the characteristics of objects, signs and so on that are observed. Classification is a grouping according to type and group.

2.      Part Description

Contains descriptions of parts of the object being described.

3.      Closing

It is the author's general impression about the object that has been described in general and part by part.

 

The opinion of the expert reinforces the explanation above, convinced Mahsun (2014, p.45), who reveals that the structure of the description consists of:

1.      Title

A few words are usually affixed in the title that represent the contents of the descriptive text and the object being described.

2.      General description

Contains the definition or identity of the object to be described

3.      Part description

It is an explanation and classification of the object being described. Classification is described in more detail by providing concrete and clear pictures of the part of the object being described.

Paragraph Development Pattern Text Description

Kurniasari (2014, p.142) reveals that the pattern of developing a descriptive paragraph is divided into two, namely:

1.      Subjective Pattern

The subjective pattern is a pattern used to describe the object in question. Still, in a way that is accompanied by an opinion from the author, for example, "the place is comfortable to see, fun, and scary." The sentence includes the subjective type of the person describing it. The subjective pattern describes the object described in the way, opinion, opinion of the author himself.

2.      Objective Pattern

While the objective pattern means a depiction that is not accompanied by the author's opinion or opinion, the object is described as it is. Usually, this pattern is used to write meaningful scientific papers in descriptive texts that do not stand alone (located in other texts).

 

Types of descriptive text that do not stand alone or are in other texts have several different consideration aspects. Namely, the approach and presentation pattern. Here is the description.

Approach Description

Descriptions can be made using a particular approach. According to Keraf (1981: 104-131), the approach is as follows.

1.      Realistic Approach

A realistic approach tries to make the description of the observed object is described following the real situation, and objective evidence can be seen.

2.      Impressionist Approach

The Impressionist approach is an approach that tries to describe something at a glance its objectivity, and it can almost be said to be subjective. This is usually done when the description is not the main part of the writing.

3.      The approach according to the Attitude of the Author

This approach refers to how the attitude and views of the author towards the object he describes. The author is free to choose one attitude, such as being serious, not ignoring it too much, taking an ironic attitude, etc.

Presentation Pattern Description

Keraf (1981: 138-141) suggests that the order in which the description is presented includes questions about how something is seen. The point of view pattern can be classified with several patterns below.

1.      Static Pattern

In this pattern, the writer or observer is in a state of silence (static) so that he can cast his gaze to the place to be described by following certain sequences from the start of the particular point of view where he is (still).

2.      Moving Pattern

The second pattern is to view an object with moving conditions. So, the writer can describe how the atmosphere and feelings he feels when he sees it in motion. For example, the tree in front feels abandoned faster, while the mountain behind is still visible.

3.      Skeleton Pattern

An outline pattern is when the object being described is too large or broad, making it difficult to describe it as a whole. Thus, the description is made into a framework to be described based on its parts.

An example of descriptive text can be seen on the page below:

Example of a descriptive text and its structure

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