Text Types Examples
1. Narrative
Tells a story, often with characters, settings, and a plot.
Example: A novel, short story, or personal anecdote.
Purpose: To entertain, explore themes, or reflect on experiences.
Style: The style of a narrative text is distinctive. It employs a chronological sequencing of
events. Coherent, right-branching sentences, varying in length, create rhythm and draw the
reader into the unfolding story. Active voice is favored to maintain directness and
immediacy, bringing scenes alive.
Structure: Beginning with an orientation, it introduces characters, setting, and time. Short
initial sentences establish the context. The complication, the next part, presents problems or
conflicts. A series of sentences, varying in length and complexity, takes the reader through
ups and downs. Ultimately, the story reaches a resolution, where the achievement or solution
is laid out.
2. Descriptive
Creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind by using sensory details.
Example: A poem describing a sunset, a travelogue describing a place, or a character
sketch.
Purpose: To evoke emotion, imagery, and engage the reader's senses. A descriptive
text is designed to describe something in a detailed manner. The writer attempts to
paint a vivid image in the reader’s mind, often by intricately describing an object,
person, place, experience, or situation.
Style: Adjectives play a significant role in a descriptive text. They enrich the text, adding
depth to the description. Similes, metaphors, and other figurative language might also be used
for more creative descriptions. The sentences can be diverse, ranging from concise statement
of facts to long, detailed depictions.
Structure: A descriptive text often starts with a short, general overview of what is being
described. Then, it delves into details, exploring appearance, characteristics, functions, and
other aspects. It closes with a brief summary or a final remark on the described subject.
3. Expository
Provides information, explains concepts, or informs the reader.
Example: A textbook chapter, news article, or scientific report.
Purpose: To educate, inform, or clarify a topic.
The main goal of an expository text is to inform or explain. It aims to provide the reader with
comprehensive information about a specific topic. This type of text gives out facts and
provides deep insights, explaining complex concepts or procedures in a manner that the
reader can understand.
Style: The style of an expository text is systematic and straightforward. It has an emphasis on
clarity. It avoids ambiguity and confusion.
Structure: Beginning with an introduction that briefly outlines the topic, an expository text
then offers a well-structured exploration of distinct aspects of the topic. Each paragraph
introduces a different point related to the topic. The conclusion summarizes the main points
and offers final insights.
Read More: Expository vs Argumentative Essay Writing
4. Argumentative / Persuasive
Attempts to convince the reader of a particular point of view.
Example: An advertisement, political speech, or editorial.
Purpose: To influence, persuade, or change the reader's opinion. An argumentative or
persuasive text is structured to persuade the readers by presenting a point of view. It
defends a position regarding an issue or topic, using reasoned arguments, facts,
statistics, and real-life examples to convince readers and lure them into adopting this
point of view.
Style: These texts should be precise, logical, and grounded in evidence. The use of rhetorical
devices like ethos, logos, and pathos can help persuade and appeal to the reader’s sense of
ethics, logic, or emotions.
Structure: Key here is to map out a clear and structured argument, often presenting the most
compelling points at the beginning and end of the piece. Consider using an essay plan. Your
piece may start with a clear statement of the thesis or position. Then, provide supporting
evidence and arguments, section by section. Each paragraph can offer a different reason or
piece of evidence supporting the thesis. A conclusion is then needed to sum up the argument,
restate the thesis, and call the reader to action.
5. Instructional
Purpose: An instructional text serves to provide instructions or directions on how to do
something. It aims to guide the reader through a sequence of steps to achieve a certain goal or
complete a task efficiently.
Style: Unlike persuasive texts, instructional texts should not try to convince anyone of
anything. Your job is to strictly provide facts. The language is direct, to-the-point, and
unambiguous.
Structure: Instructional texts usually start with an overview of the task or goal, and possibly,
what the end result should look like. Following that, a list of materials or requirements would
come next. After this, a step-by-step guide detailing how to accomplish the task is written.
6. Procedural
Provides instructions on how to do something, often in a step-by-step format.
Example: A recipe, instructions for assembling furniture, or a how-to manual.
Purpose: To guide, instruct, or teach a skill or process. Procedural texts are designed
to guide the reader through a sequence of actions or steps necessary to accomplish a
specific task. These tasks might be related to cooking, science experiments,
emergency procedures, or machinery operation, among others.
Style: Procedural texts are characterized by precise and unambiguous language. It is critical
that the wording is exact to ensure clear communication of instructions.
Structure: Procedural texts should be written with the same goal in mind as instructional
ones: begin with an overview of the task, followed by any necessary materials or preparation
steps. Next, a detailed, step-by-step procedure is included. It often concludes with any
necessary follow-up instructions or warnings.
7. Recount
Purpose: The purpose of a recount text is to retell past events, usually in chronological order.
It serves to provide a detailed account of an event, experience, or historical occurrence.
Style: A recount is usually descriptive and personal, involving a chronological presentation
of events, with expressive language to convey emotions or impressions that the writer felt
during the events.
Structure: A typical recount text starts with the introduction, setting the scene, and often
specifying the time, place, and participants involved. The series of events then unrolls in the
order they occurred. Finally, it concludes with a personal comment, reflection, or evaluation
of the event.
Apa yang Dimaksud dengan Recount Text? (What is
Recount Text)
Apa pengertian recount text?
Definisi recount text adalah jenis teks bahasa Inggris yang menceritakan kembali
kejadian atau peristiwa di masa lampau. Cerita tersebut dapat berupa aksi atau
aktivitas sebelum seseorang menuliskan teks.
Kalau dalam bahasa Inggris, recount text is a text which retells events or experiences in the
past. Tanpa disadari, kita pasti sering menceritakan pengalaman lampau dalam kehidupan
sehari-hari. Misal, bercerita tentang aktivitas berlibur seperti di artikel 11 Cerita Liburan
Bahasa Inggris Singkat dan Artinya, mengikuti perlombaan, sampai cerita saat momen
perayaan ulang tahun.
Tujuan Recount Text (Purpose of Recount Text)
Ada beberapa tujuan dari teks recount, yaitu:
1. Memberikan informasi pada pembaca
Recount text dapat digunakan untuk memberikan informasi tentang suatu kejadian atau
pengalaman di masa lalu pada orang lain. Dalam hal ini, informasi tersebut bisa berupa
laporan perjalanan, pengalaman pribadi, atau laporan tentang suatu acara.
2. Menghibur pembaca
Seperti kebanyakan teks lain, recount text juga berfungsi untuk menghibur pembaca.
Pasalnya, jenis teks bahasa Inggris yang satu ini umumnya ditulis untuk menceritakan sesuatu
yang menyenangkan.
3. Merefleksikan suatu hal
Dalam beberapa kasus, teks recount bisa dijadikan sebagai media untuk merefleksikan dan
menganalisis peristiwa atau pengalaman tertentu. Inilah alasan mengapa diary dan jurnal
pribadi termasuk sebagai recount text.
4. Mendokumentasikan pengalaman penting
Selain melalui foto dan video, kamu juga dapat mengabadikan pengalaman penting di masa
lalu melalui teks recount.
5. Mempelajari sejarah
Dalam konteks pendidikan, recount text sering digunakan untuk mempelajari dan memahami
peristiwa sejarah.
Generic Structure of Recount Text (Struktur Recount
Text)
Guys, perlu kita ketahui bahwa teks apapun umumnya memiliki struktur penulisan. Pada
recount text pun tentu ada struktur yang harus kita ikuti.
Generic structure of recount text ada tiga, yaitu orientation berupa pengenalan, series of
event yang berisi rangkaian cerita, serta re-orientation yang menuangkan rangkuman
dan ending dari keseluruhan isi cerita.
Ayo simak pembahasan struktur dan contoh teks recount dengan saksama!
1. Orientation
Kamu sadar nggak, kalau sebagian besar teks akan diawali dengan orientation. Dalam bahasa
Indonesia, artinya orientasi alias pengenalan.
Sudah pasti, isi dari orientation adalah informasi mengenai tokoh atau karakter, lokasi,
waktu kejadian, etc.
Melalui orientation, harapannya pembaca dapat memahami jalan/alur cerita dari penulis.
Contoh orientation dalam recount text:
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go on a vacation to one of my dream countries,
Turkey. I went there with my husband. We departed from Soekarno-Hatta Airport in
Tangerang. We had a very long flight for around 12 hours by Turkish Airlines and we
landed at Istanbul Airport, Istanbul.
Beberapa tahun lalu, aku berkesempatan untuk pergi berlibur ke salah satu negara impian
saya, Turki. Aku pergi ke sana dengan suamiku. Kami berangkat dari Bandara Soekarno-
Hatta di Tangerang. Kami memiliki penerbangan yang sangat panjang selama sekitar 12 jam
dengan Turkish Airlines dan kami mendarat di Bandara Istanbul, Istanbul.
Dapat kita lihat dari potongan paragraf di atas, bahwa penulis mengenalkan tokoh,
lokasi, dan juga waktu peristiwa yang akan diceritakan.
Jangan skip kabar penting di bawah ini guys! Penasaran dengan kemampuan bahasa Inggris-
mu sekarang? Kira-kira ada di level mana ya? Tenang, ada Free Placement Test dari English
Academy yang bisa bantu cari tau. Bersertifikat, loh!
2. Series of Events
Kamu familiar dengan kata events? Yes, event adalah kejadian, sedangkan series berarti
rangkaian.
Dalam bagian ini, penulis akan menuliskan rangkaian mengenai peristiwa/kejadian
yang mereka alami (inti dari recount text).
Selain itu, biasanya para author mengungkapkan personal remarks on the events, alias
pernyataan pribadi mengenai cerita yang ditulis. Contoh paragrafnya seperti ini:
On the first day, due to exhaustion, we just stayed at the hotel near Hagia Sophia to rest.
The next day, we left for Taksim to visit one of the popular destinations, Galata Tower. We
saw a lot of shopping centers and local authentic cafes there. After that, we visited one of
the Malaysian restaurants that I really wanted to visit in the Blue Mosque area.
Pada hari pertama, karena kelelahan, kami hanya menginap di hotel dekat Hagia Sophia
untuk beristirahat. Keesokan harinya, kami berangkat menuju Taksim untuk mengunjungi
salah satu destinasi populer, Galata Tower. Kami melihat banyak pusat perbelanjaan dan kafe
otentik lokal di sana. Setelah itu, kami mengunjungi salah satu Restoran Malaysia yang
sangat ingin kami kunjungi di area Blue Mosque.
3. Re-orientation
Dalam membuat recount text, akhir dari sebuah cerita disebut dengan re-orientation.
Pada bagian ini, penulis akan menuangkan rangkuman dan kesimpulan dari
keseluruhan cerita sekaligus memberitahu ending-nya (sad/happy).
Jika ada, author juga akan menambahkan kesan dan pesan untuk pembaca. Contoh
sederhana dari re-orientation:
A trip to Turkey a few years ago was an experience I will never forget for the rest of my
life. The bonus, two weeks after arriving in Indonesia, God trusts us to have the child. We
think that having quality time with a partner is very important.
Perjalanan ke Turki beberapa tahun yang lalu adalah pengalaman yang tidak akan pernah
saya lupakan seumur hidup. Bonusnya, dua minggu setelah tiba di Indonesia, Tuhan
mempercayakan kami untuk memiliki anak. Kami berpikir bahwa memiliki waktu yang
berkualitas dengan pasangan sangat penting.
Ciri-Ciri Recount Text (Characteristics of Recount Text)
Recount text memiliki dua ciri utama, yaitu:
1. Dalam recount text tidak ada konflik yang diceritakan oleh penulis, berbeda dengan
teks naratif bahasa Inggris yang memiliki conflict pada strukturnya.
2. Selalu ada urutan cerita secara kronologis, misal ada cerita di hari pertama, hari kedua,
dan seterusnya.
Language Features of Recount Text (Kaidah Kebahasaan
Recount Text)
Saat akan membuat recount text, tentu ada beberapa kaidah kebahasaan yang perlu kamu
perhatikan. Hal ini bertujuan untuk membedakan recount text dengan jenis teks yang lain.
Mengutip dari berbagai sumber, terdapat 10 language features of recount text:
1. Using simple past tense
Kamu masih ingat dengan tenses ini, kan? Yap, dalam recount text bahasa inggris, sebagian
besar cerita diisi menggunakan kalimat simple past tense untuk menunjukkan aktivitas di
masa lampau.
Pola kalimatnya terbagi menjadi dua, yaitu ada verbal sentence dengan rumus subject + verb
2 + complement dan nominal sentence yang rumusnya subject + be + complement. Kalau
lupa, cek lagi artikel Simple Past Tense: Pengertian, Rumus, Fungsi, dan Contoh
Kalimat ya!
Ini contoh kalimatnya:
Last week, my friends and I went to Jogja.
(Minggu lalu, saya dan teman-teman pergi ke Jogja.)
Went merupakan bentuk simple past tense dari go.
2. Using specific participant
Recount text juga erat hubungannya dengan specific participant, yaitu sesuatu yang
memiliki objek tertentu, tidak bersifat umum, dan unik (hanya ada satu). Contohnya
antara lain Istanbul Airport, Borobudur Temple, Muara Angke, Geusan Ulun
Museum, etc.
3. Using personal participant
Personal participant contohnya seperti I, my group, my friends, my husband, etc. Dalam
recount text, biasanya personal participant akan muncul di bagian orientation sebagai
pengenalan tokoh ataupun karakter dalam cerita
4. Using action verb
Mengutip dari artikel 11 Tipe Kata Kerja Bahasa Inggris (Verb) Beserta Contohnya,
action verb adalah kata kerja yang merujuk pada tindakan yang kamu lakukan dan bisa
terlihat oleh orang lain. Verb ini dikenal juga dengan dynamic verb. Contoh kalimatnya:
First, we visited Parangtritis beach.
(Pertama, kami mengunjungi pantai Parangtritis.)
Visited adalah kata kerja yang bisa terlihat oleh orang lain
5. Using linking verb
Masih soal kata kerja, sebagai teks yang menceritakan rangkaian peristiwa tentu tak lepas
dari linking verb, yaitu kata kerja yang menghubungkan antara subjek dan keterangan.
Tapi, yang harus digarisbawahi adalah, linking verb digunakan untuk memberi
keterangan deskriptif dan identitas dari subjek. Jadi, bukan merujuk pada tindakan
yang dilakukan oleh subjek.
Beberapa contoh yang termasuk linking verb adalah be, become, seem, appear, grow. Be
terdiri dari is, am, dan are untuk simple present tense. Sementara itu, yang berlaku pada
recount text adalah bentuk simple past tense–nya, yaitu was dan were. Contoh kalimatnya:
Yesterday, I was busy towards the end of the month and I had to work late.
(Kemarin, saya sibuk menjelang akhir bulan dan saya harus bekerja lembur.)
Di sana, was berfungsi untuk menghubungkan antara I dan busy towards the end of the
month.
6. Using chronological connection/sequence connective
Chronological connection atau yang dikenal juga sebagai chronological
connector/connector of sequence adalah kata sambung yang digunakan untuk
menyatakan urutan terjadinya peristiwa. Tentunya kaidah ini sejalan dengan definisi dari
recount text itu sendiri.
Chronological connector berguna untuk menyatakan aktivitas yang terjadi lebih dulu
dan mana yang terjadi selanjutnya. Kata sambung ini memudahkan pembaca untuk
memahami urutan peristiwa secara keseluruhan.
Contoh chronological connector adalah then, next, in the end, in addition, dan lain
sebagainya. Perhatikan contoh berikut ini:
We looked around in that Zoo, and also took pictures of those animals. Then, we felt hungry,
so we went to a restaurant.
(Kami melihat-lihat di Kebun Binatang itu, dan juga memotret binatang-binatang itu.
Kemudian, kami merasa lapar, jadi kami pergi ke restoran.)
7. Using conjunction
Conjunction adalah bagian dari part of speech yang tugasnya adalah menghubungkan
dua kata, frasa, atau kalimat.
Contoh-contoh conjunction dalam recount text adalah and, or, until, although, while, but,
and many more. Begini jika diaplikasikan dalam kalimat:
One of my friends warned me that Samyang was very spicy, but I didn’t want to listen to her.
(Salah satu teman saya memperingatkan saya bahwa Samyang sangat pedas, tetapi saya tidak
mau mendengarkannya.)
8. Using adverbs
Secara sederhana, adverbs adalah kata keterangan. Ia memberikan lebih banyak
informasi atau mendeskripsikan lebih detail dari kata kerja, kata sifat, dan kata
lainnya.
Contohnya adalah extremely, carefully, slowly, etc. Kalau dalam kalimat, contohnya adalah:
She walked carefully.
(Dia berjalan dengan hati-hati.)
Carefully berperan untuk menerangkan kata kerja walked.
9. Using adverb(ial) phrase
Loh, apa bedanya adverbial phrase dan adverb? Sekilas memang sulit untuk
membedakannya, guys.
Adverbial phrase adalah frasa yang bersifat adverb, alias frasa yang fungsinya
menjelaskan. Kalau adverb adalah bagian kalimat yang fungsinya menjelaskan
keseluruhan kalimat, verb, adjective, atau adverb lain.
Nah, adverbial phrase adalah bagian dari adverb, tapi nggak selalu satu kata dan biasanya
merupakan bagian dari klausa atau frasa.
Adverbial phrase itu sendiri jenisnya beragam, tapi yang paling banyak digunakan dalam teks
recount adalah adverb phrase of time dan adverb phrase of place yang berfungsi untuk
menerangkan waktu dan tempat kejadian.
Yuk, simak baik-baik contoh di bawah ini:
Adverb phrase of time: Camelia found her book in the classroom. (Camelia
menemukan bukunya di kelas.)
Adverb phrase of place: My team won the volleyball tournament last week. (Tim saya
memenangkan turnamen bola voli minggu lalu.)
10. Using time connectives and sequence connective
Jadi guys, connectives ini adalah kata atau frasa yang menghubungkan bagian kata,
frasa, klausa atau kalimat. Kalau kamu lihat lagi di point nomor 6 dan 7, mereka
adalah bagian dari connectives. Adapun time connectives contohnya adalah in the
meantime, the next day, dsb.
Selain itu, ada juga sequence connective untuk mengurutkan sebuah informasi
berdasarkan langkahnya. Contoh: before, after, then, first, second, third, finally, at last.
8. Report
Purpose: Report texts are written to present information about a subject. The subject could
range from real-world entities like animals, humans, or natural phenomena to abstract
concepts like principles, theories, or ideas.
Style: Reports are communicated objectively without the use of personal pronouns or
subjective language. They contain facts, statistics, and specific information related to the
subject, presented in a clear, systematic manner.
Structure: A report usually begins with an introduction, defining the topic and offering a
brief overview. A series of sections or subheadings then ‘chunk’ the content to make it easy
to navigate, each covering different aspects of the topic. A conclusion or summary often ends
the report.
9. Discussion
Purpose: A discussion text is intended to present multiple perspectives on a specific issue,
allowing the reader to consider all angles before forming their own viewpoint. It aims to
deepen understanding and foster a broader perspective by objectively exploring diverse
opinions and arguments related to a topic.
Style: Discussion texts use neutral, unbiased language. The writer presents all sides of the
argument fairly and objectively, without leaning towards supporting one over another.
Structure: The text begins with an introduction of the issue at hand. This is followed by
presenting point and counterpoint for each aspect of the issue, examining arguments in favor
and against it. An effective discussion text ends with a conclusion or summary that
encapsulates the multiple perspectives without indicating a personal preference.
10. Response
Purpose: A response text serves to provide a personal interpretation or reaction to a piece of
content, such as a book, film, article, or speech. It aims to deepen the understanding of the
original content, examine its components, and express personal thoughts, feelings, and
reactions to it.
Style: Response writing is subjective, reflecting the opinion and personality of the writer.
Despite the writer’s personal voice being apparent, a good response should maintain an even-
handed and critical approach.
Structure: Commence with an overview of the content being responded to, including its title
and creator. Next, give a brief summary or description of the content. Following this, present
your personal reactions, impressions, and points of critique. Lastly, conclude by summarizing
your views and stating your final thoughts.
11. Poetic
Purpose: The purpose of a poetic text is to convey emotions, experiences, concepts, and
ideas using creative and imaginative language. It’s a form of verbal art that uses aesthetics
and rhythmic qualities to charm and engage readers.
Style: Poetic language heavily incorporates figurative and connotative language. It frequently
uses devices such as similes, metaphors, rhyme, rhythm, assonance, and alliteration to create
a specific mood or emotion.
Structure: The structure of a poem can vary vastly – it may adhere to a specific form (like
sonnets, haikus, or limericks) complete with rules regarding rhyme, meter, and stanza length,
or it may be free verse, with no such rules.
12. Journalistic
Purpose: Journalistic texts aim to report news stories to inform readers, viewers, or listeners
about events happening locally or globally. These texts provide factual information about
real-world event in a balanced, fair, accurate, and comprehensive manner.
Style: Journalistic writing requires use of clear, concise, and direct language. The language is
primarily factual and explanatory, striving to be impartial and unbiased.
Structure: Journalistic texts usually adopt the “inverted pyramid” structure. The most crucial
information is presented first – summarizing the ‘who, what, where, when, why, and how’ of
the story. Following paragraphs provide further details and context, with the least important
information towards the end.
See Also: Informational Texts Examples
13. Transactional
Purpose: Transactional texts serve to communicate an intended message between individuals
or organizations. Common examples include emails, reports, proposals, business letters and
memos.
Style: The tone and style of transactional texts depend on their intended audience and
purpose. Formality levels may vary – generally, they are written in clear, straightforward
language.
Structure: Transactional texts usually start with a salutation or an introduction, followed by
the body containing the key message or information. They end with a closing, which may
include a call-to-action, a closing remark or a sign-off.
14. Exemplification
Purpose: Exemplification texts are those which use examples to make a point, stress a point,
or clearly present a pattern or form. These texts aim to make abstract ideas concrete, clarify
concepts, or provide evidence supporting statements or theories.
Style: The language of exemplification texts is straightforward and facts-based, leveraging
detailed examples to make concepts clearer and more understandable.
Structure: They start with a thesis statement or main idea. Next, they introduce and elaborate
various specific examples to exemplify and prove the thesis statement. Finally, a conclusion
wraps up the discussion and reiterates how the examples support the main idea.
15. Compare and Contrast
Purpose: The purpose of a compare and contrast text is to examine the similarities and
differences between two or more subjects, such as concepts, items, people, or events. It aids
in understanding and scrutinizing the association between the subjects.
Style: This kind of writing is analytical and require a balanced and objective presentation of
facts, making sure to avoid bias or favoritism.
Structure: Such texts generally follow one of two structures: block or alternating. In the
block method, all about the first subject is described, followed by all about the second. In the
alternating method, corresponding points about the first and second subjects are alternated for
comparison.
Read More: Compare and Contrast Essay Examples
16. Cause and Effect
Purpose: Cause and effect text is written to identify and explain the reasons or causes for an
event or behavior and the resulting effects or outcomes. It establishes a relationship between
variables and events.
Style: Clarity is particularly important in cause and effect writing because it should aim to
lucidly explain causal chains where one thing leads to another.
Structure: Generally, the text starts with an introduction to the event. This is followed by the
’cause’ section explaining its origins or reasons. Then comes the ‘effect’ section detailing the
outcomes, consequences, or results. Lastly, a conclusion synthesizes the major points and
may contain author’s opinion on the event.
Read More: Cause and Effect Examples
17. Diary/Journal Entry
Purpose: A diary or journal entry is written to express personal thoughts, feelings, and
experiences, making them a form of autobiographical writing. The objective is self-reflection,
documentation of life events or ideas, and emotional exploration.
Style: Being highly personal, these texts don’t normally adhere to strict stylistic protocols.
Language is informal and conversational, representing the writer’s voice.
Structure: Diary or journal entries do not follow a strict format. They often start with the
date and proceed with the entries. Entries can range from brief notes to detailed narratives.
18. Critical Review
Purpose: A critical review analyses, interprets, and appraises a text or other work (like a film
or play). It’s meant to provide an evaluation of the item’s merit, significance, value, or
relevance, based on careful examination and evidence-based claims.
Style: Even though a critical review presents the writer’s opinion, it should be a balanced,
logical, and professional examination of the work.
Structure: A traditional critical review includes an introduction summarizing the key details
of the work being reviewed, the body containing the evaluation, and a conclusion
summarizing the review.