Descriptive Text: Definition, Structure, and Examples

Definition of Descriptive Text in English ( Descriptive Text )

Descriptive text is a text that has the aim of describing, explaining or describing something, a person, an object, an animal, a place or other things.

The writer often uses his five senses to describe something. This is done so that we as readers can clearly imagine what the author is describing.

However, many of us sometimes confuse it with a report text because they both explain or describe something. We need to understand that there are very subtle differences between the two.

If descriptive text describes something in detail and from the author’s point of view, whereas report text in English describes something in general based on facts, research and the results of scientific observations.

For example: Descriptive text has the title, “ My Pets ” while report text can be titled “Pets.”

Additionally, there are differences in text structure and slight differences in linguistic rules. To understand these differences, see the explanation below!

Structure of Descriptive Text in English ( Descriptive Text )

The structure of descriptive text in English is divided into two parts: identification and description :

1. Identification

Identification contains paragraphs that identify the place, animal, person, object, and so on that will be described. For example:

Borobudur is a Hindu-Buddhist temple. It was built in the ninth century under the Sailendra dynasty of the ancient Mataram kingdom. Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.

2. Description

Description is a section of text that discusses the description of a place, animal, person, object and other things that will be described in detail , usually using the five senses to help explain something.

Borobudur is well-known all over the world. Its construction is influenced by the Gupta architecture of India. The temple is constructed on a hill 46 m high and consists of eight steps like a stone terrace. The first five terraces are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Buddhist sculptures in bas-relief.

The upper three are circular. Each of them is with a circle of bell shape-stupa. The entire edifice is crowned by a large stupa at the center of the top circle. The way to the summit extends through some 4.8 km of passage and stairways. The design of Borobudur, which symbolizes the structure of the universe, influences temples at Angkor, Cambodia.

Borobudur temple which was rededicated as an Indonesian monument in 1983 is a valuable treasure for the Indonesian people.

Linguistic Rules for Descriptive Texts in English ( Descriptive Text )

The following are the linguistic rules for descriptive texts in English:

1. Specific Object

In the descriptive text, we will see the object is unique, the only one in the world. Contohnya seperti: “Borobudur Temple.” “Planet Jupiter”, “My Cat”, dan sebagainya.

2. Adjective

To enhance understanding of what is being explained in descriptive text, there will be adjectives that will help readers imagine what is being described. For example: ” A beautiful mountain ” and ” The Tall Man .”

3. Simple Present Tense

The tense used in descriptive texts in English is the simple present tense . This is because something being described is based on the current situation, although it isn’t always factual. For example: The first five terraces of Borobudur Temple are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Buddhist sculptures in bas-relief.

4. Action Verbs

There are also action verbs used in descriptive texts in English. Action verbs are words that indicate an activity. Some of these verbs are: ” run ,” ” sleep ,” ” visit, ” and so on. An example sentence is: ” It was built in the ninth century under the Sailendra dynasty of the ancient Mataram kingdom. “

Examples of Structure and Linguistic Rules of Descriptive Texts in English ( Descriptive Text )

So that we can understand descriptive texts in English more deeply, let’s dissect this example of descriptive text about Kuta Beach carefully!

Examples of Descriptive Text Structure in English

Examples of Language Rules for Descriptive Texts in English

1. Specific Object

Kuta is an exciting tourist area in the southern part of Bali. Most tourists visiting Bali do not forget to spend their time in Kuta.

It is located in southwestern Bali, just minutes from the airport. Kuta is one of the world’s most famous beaches. It first attracted Western surfers with its world-renowned surf break followed closely behind by sun worshipers and party-goers attracted to its wide stretches of white sandy beach. Kuta is the center of nightlife activities. 

Kuta has a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restaurants line up the streets as well as the beachfront hotels, ranging from a small, inexpensive homestay to luxurious resorts. There are many nightclubs along Jalan Legian and Jalan Pantai Kuta. The busiest time for all night clubs is around 22:00 and will close until dawn.

2. Adjective

Kuta is an exciting tourist area in the southern part of Bali. Most tourists visiting Bali do not forget to spend their time in Kuta.

It is located in southwestern Bali, just minutes from the airport. Kuta is one of the world’s most famous beaches. It first attracted Western surfers with its world-renowned surf break followed closely behind by sun worshipers and party-goers attracted to its wide stretches of white sandy beach. Kuta is the center of nightlife activities. 

Kuta has a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restaurants line up the streets as well as the beachfront hotels, ranging from a small, inexpensive homestay to a luxurious resort. There are many nightclubs along Jalan Legian and Jalan Pantai Kuta. The busiest time for all night clubs is around 22:00 and will close until dawn.

3. Simple Present Tense

Kuta is an exciting tourist area in the southern part of Bali. Most tourists visiting Bali do not forget to spend their time in Kuta.

It is located in southwestern Bali, just minutes from the airport. Kuta is one of the world’s most famous beaches. It first attracted Western surfers with its world-renowned surf break followed closely behind by sun worshipers and party-goers attracted to its wide stretches of white sandy beach. Kuta is the center of nightlife activities. 

Kuta has a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restaurants line up the streets as well as the beachfront hotels, ranging from a small, inexpensive homestay to a luxurious resort. There are many nightclubs along Jalan Legian and Jalan Pantai Kuta. The busiest time for all night clubs is around 22:00 and will close until dawn.

4. Action Verbs

Kuta is an exciting tourist area in the southern part of Bali. Most tourists visiting Bali do not forget to spend their time in Kuta.

It is located in southwestern Bali, just minutes from the airport. Kuta is one of the world’s most famous beaches. It first attracted Western surfers with its world-renowned surf break followed closely behind by sun worshipers and party-goers attracted to its wide stretches of white sandy beach. Kuta is the center of nightlife activities. 

Kuta has a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restaurants line up the streets as well as the beachfront hotels, ranging from a small, inexpensive homestay to a luxurious resort. There are many nightclubs along Jalan Legian and Jalan Pantai Kuta. The busiest time for all night clubs is around 22:00 and will close until dawn.