Genre In English

1. RECOUNT

Tujuan komunikatif:

Melaporkan peristiwa, kejadian atau kegiatan dengan tujuan memberitakan atau menghibur.

Struktur teks (Generic Structure) :

* Pendahuluan (orientasi), yaitu memberikan informasi tentang apa, siapa, di mana dan kapan;

* Laporan (rentetan) peristiwa, kegiatan yang terjadi, yang biasanya disampaikan secara berurut

Contoh:

 Holiday

Last week I and my family went to Pangandaran beach for having holiday.

Arived there, we looked for a hotel. Afteer that I visited spill market to buy swiming dress. Then I went to the beach for swimming and surving. The next day, I visited the souvenir shop. There were many kinds of souvenir. I bought some souvenirs there. Meanwhile my parents and my sister were looking for beach dress at the market. Finally, we went home and we had the holiday.

2. REPORT

Social function report:
To describe the way things are (for example: a man -made thing, animals, plants). The things must be a representative of their class.
Text organization report:

1. General classification (introduces the topic of the report/tells what phenomenon under discussion is.)
2. Description (tell the details of topic such as physical appearance, parts, qualities, habits/behaviour).

Language features report:

• Use of general nouns ( Whales, Kangaroo, Computer)
• Use of present tense(Komodo dragons usually weigh more than 160 kg)
• Use of behavioural verbs (Snakes often sunbathe in the sun)
• Use of technical terms ( Water contains oxygen and hydrogen)
• Use of relating verbs (is, are, has) 

Contoh:

Whales

General Classification

Whales are sea-living mammals

Description: (behaviours, qualities, parts)

They therefore breathe air but cannot survive on land. Some species are very large indeed and the blue whale, which can exceed 30m in length, is the largest animal to have lived on earth. Superficially, the whale looks rather like a fish, but there are important differences in its external structure: its tail consists ofa pair of broad, flat, horizontal paddles (the tail of a fish is vertical) and it has a single nostril on top of its large, broad head. The skin is smooth and shiny and beneath it lies a layer of fat (blubber). This is up to 30 cm in thickness and serves to conserve heat and body fluids.

3. PROCEDURE

Social function Procedure:
To help us do a task or make something. They can be a set of instructions or directions.
Text organization:
1. Goals ( the final purpose of doing the instruction)
2. Materials ( ingredients, utensils, equipment to do the instructions)
3. Steps ( a set of instruction to achieve the final purpose)
Language features :

• Use of imperative ( Cut…….., Don’t mix……..)
• Use of action verbs (turn, put)
• Use of connectives(first, then, finally) 

Contoh:

The Hole Game

Materials needed

Two players

One marble per person

A hole in ground

A line (distance) to start from

Method (step 1-n)

1. First you must dub (click marbles together).

2. Then you must check that the marbles are in good condition and are nearly worth the same value.

3. Next you must dig a hole in the ground and draw a line a fair distance away from the hole.

4. The first player carefully throws his or her marble towards the hole.

5. Then the second player tries to throw his or her marble closer to the hole than his or her opponent.

6. The player whose marble is closest to the hole tries to flick his or her marble into the hole. If successful, this player tries to flick his or her opponent’s marble into the hole.

The person flicking the last marble into the hole wins and gets to keep both marbles.

4. NARRATIVE

Social function narrative:
To amuse or entertain the readers with actual or imaginary experience in different ways. Narrative always deals with some problems which lead to the climax and then turn into a solution to the problem.
Generic Structure Narrative:

1. Orientation ( who was involved, when and where was it happened)
2. Complication ( a problem arises and followed by other problems)
3. Resolution ( provide solution to the problem)

Language features Narrative:

• Use of noun phrases ( a beautiful princess, a huge temple)
• Use of adverbial phrases of time and place ( in the garden, two days ago)
• Use of simple past tense ( He walked away from the village)
• Use of action verbs ( walked, slept)
• Use of adjectives phrases ( long black hair) 

Contoh:

Snow White

Orientation

Once upon a time there lived a little girl named Snow White. She lived with her Aunt and Uncle because her parents were dead.

Major Complication

One day she heard her Uncle and Aunt talking about leaving Snow White in the castle because they both wanted to go to America and they didn’t have enough money to take Snow White.

Resolution

Snow White did not want her Uncle and Aunt to do this so she decided it would be best if she ran away. The next morning she ran away from home when her Aunt and Uncle were having breakfast. She ran away into the woods.

Complication

She was very tired and hungry.

Resolution

Then she saw this little cottage. She knocked but no one answered so she went inside and fell asleep.

Complication

Meanwhile, the seven dwarfs were coming home from work. They went inside. There they found Snow White sleeping. Then Snow White woke up. She saw the dwarfs. The dwarfs said, what is your name? Snow White said, ‘My name is Snow White’.

Major Resolution

Doc said, ‘If you wish, you may live here with us”. Snow White said, ‘Oh could I? Thank you.’ Then Snow White told the dwarfs the whole story and Snow White and the 7 dwarfs lived happily ever after.

5. NEWS ITEM

Social function news item:
To inform readers or listeners about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or important.
Generic structure news item:

1. News worthy event ( tells the event in a summary form)
2. Background events ( elaborate what happened, tell what caused the incident)
3. Sources ( comments by participants, witnesses, authorities and experts involved in the event)

Language features news item:

• Information on the use of head lines.
• Use of action verbs( hit, attack)
• Use of saying verbs( said, added, claimed)
• Use of passive sentences ( Aceh was hit by Tsunami in 2004)
• Use of adverbs in passive sentences (The victims were badly injured) 

Contoh:

Town ‘Contaminated’

Newsworthy Event

Moscow -A Russian journalist has uncovered evidence of another Soviet nuclear catastrophe, which killed 10 sailors and contaminated an entire town.

Background Events

Yelena Vazrshavskya is the first journalist to speak to people who witnessed the explosion of a nuclear submarine at the naval base ofshkotovo – 22 near Vladivostock.

The accident, which occurred 13 months before the Chemobyl disaster, spread radioactive fall-out over the base and i.earby town. but was covered up by officials of the then Soviet Union. Residents were told the explosion in the reactor of the Victor-class submarine during a refit had been a ‘thermal’ and not a nuclear explosion. And those involved in the clean up operation to remove more than 600 tonnes of contaminated material were sworn to secrecy.

6. DESCRIPTIVE

Social Function descriptive:
To describe a particular person, place or thing.
Generic Structure descriptive:

1. Identification (identify phenomenon to be described)
2. Description (describe parts, qualities, characteristics)

Language features descriptive:

• Focus on specific participants
• Use of attributive and identifying processes
• Frequent use classifiers in nominal groups.
• Use of the Simple Present Tense 

Contoh:

Natural Bridge National Park

Identification

Natural Bridge National Park is a luscious tropical rainforest.

Description

It is located 110 kilometres south of Brisbane and is reached by following the Pacific Highway to Nerang and then by travelling through the Numinbah Valley. This scenic roadway lies in the shadow of the Lamington National Park.

The phenomenon of the rock formed into a natural ‘arch* and the cave through which a waterfall cascades is a short 1 kilometre walk below a dense rainforest canopy from the main picnic area. Swimming is permitted in the rock pools. Night-time visitors to the cave will discover the unique feature of the glow worms.

Picnic areas offer toilets, barbecues, shelter sheds, water and fireplaces; however, overnight camping is not permitted.

7. ANALYTICAL EXPOSITION

Social function analytical exposition:
To persuade the readers or the listeners that something in the case, to analyze or to explain.
Generic Structure analytical exposition:

1. Thesis (usually includes a preview argument. It introduces topics and indicates the writer’s position)
2. Arguments (consists of a point and elaboration sequence. The number of points may vary, but each must be supported by discussion and evidence)
3. Reiteration (restates the position more forcefully in the light of the arguments presented)

Language features analytical exposition:

• Emotive words such as : alarmed, worried.
• Words that qualify statements such as: usual probably
• Words that link arguments such as: firstly, however, on the other hand, therefore.
• Usually present tense
• Compound and complex sentences 

Contoh:

The Importance of English 

Thesis { I personally think that English is the world’s most important language. Why do I say that?

Argument 1 { Firstly, English is an international language. It is spoken by many people all around the world, either as a first or second language.

Argument 2 { Secondly, English is also the key which opens doors to scientific and technical knowledge, which is needed for the economic and political development of many countries in the world.

Argument 3 { Thirdly, English is a top requirement of those seeking jobs. Applicants who master either active or passive English are more favorable than those who do not.

Conclusion { From the fact above, it is obvious that everybody needs to learn English to greet the global era. 

8. HORTATORY EXPOSITION

 Social function hortatory exposition:
To persuade the readers or the listeners that something should or should not be the case.
Generic structure hortatory exposition:

1. Thesis ( stating an issue of concern)
2. Arguments ( giving reasons for concern, leading recommendation)
3. Recommendation (stating what ought or ought not to happen)

Language features hortatory exposition:

• Emotive words: alarmed, worried
• Words that qualify statements: usual probably
• Words that link arguments: firstly, however, on the other hand, therefore
• Usually present tense
• Compound and complex sentences
• Modal auxiliary: can, may, should, must 

Contoh:

Corruption

Thesis
(Announcement of issue concern)
Do you know what the meaning of corruption is? What is the relation between money and corruption? Well, corruption is common everywhere in the world, even in the United States. It’s just a matter of intensity. However, it is quite shocking when one reliable survey claims Jakarta as the most corrupt place in Indonesia.
Argument 1
The survey has made me sad, actually, because I stay and earn a living here in the capital. As most people know, Tanjung Priok port smuggling is not a new thing at all. Entrepreneurs who want to minimize their tax payments tend to do such a thing more often. They even bribe the officials.
Argument 2
Well, I think the measures taken so far to overcome the problem by punishing the corruptors is still not far enough. We have to prevent the younger generations from getting a bad mentality caused by corruption.
Recommendation
I believe we should start at the earliest stages in school and I think everyone should be involved in the effort to eradicate corruption. We must not make any distinction.
Adapted from: The Jakarta Post, February 2005

  

9. EXPLANATION

Social function explanation:
To explain the process involved in the formation or working of natural or socio cultural phenomena
Generic structure explanation:

1. A general statement to position the reader
2. A sequenced explanation of why or how something occurs
3. Closing

Language features explanation:

• Focus on generic, non-human participants.
• Use mainly of general and abstract nouns, action verbs, simple present tense, passive voice, conjunction of time and cause, noun phrases, complex sentences, and technical language. 

Contoh:

A brief Summary of Speech Production

General Statement to Position the Reader

Speech production is made possible by the specialised movements of our vocal organs that generate speech sounds waves.

Explanation

Like all sound production, speech production requires a source of energy. The source of energy for speech production is the steady stream of air that comes from the lungs as we exhale. When we breathe normally, the air stream is inaudible. To become audible, the air stream must vibrate rapidly. The vocal cords cause the air stream to vibrate.

Explanation

As we talk, the vocal cords open and close rapidly, chopping up the steady air stream into a series of puffs. These puffs are heard as a buzz. But this buzz is still not speech.

Explanation

To produce speech sounds, the vocal tract must change shape. During speech we continually alter the shape of the vocal track by moving the tongue and lips,etc. These movements change the acoustic properties of the vocal tract, which in turn produce the different sounds of speech.

10. DISCUSSION

Social function discussion:
To present information and opinions about more than one side of an issue (“for” points “against” points)
Generic structure discussion:

1. Opening statement presenting the issue
2. Arguments or evidence for different points of view ( pros and cons)
3. Concluding recommendation

Language features discussion:

• Use of general nouns: alcohol, abortion, smoking, etc.
• Use of relating verbs: is, are, etc.
• Use of thinking verbs: think, feel, hope believe, etc.
• Use of additive connectives: addition, furthermore, besides, etc.
• Use of contrastive connectives: although, even, if, nevertheless, etc.
• Use of causal connectives: because, because of, etc.
• Use of modal auxiliary: must, should, etc.
• Use of adverbial manner: hopefully. 

Contoh 1:

Gene Splicing

Issue

Genetic research has produced both exciting and frightening possibilities. Scientists are now able to create new forms of life in the laboratory due to the development of gene splicing.

Arguments for

Point

On the one hand, the ability to create life in the laboratory could greatly benefit mankind.

Elaboration

For example, because it is very expensive to obtain insulin from natural sources, scientists have developed a method to manufacture it inexpensively in the laboratory.

Point

Another beneficial application of gene splicing is in a agriculture.

Elaboration

Scientists foresee the day when new plants will be developed using nitrogen from the air instead of from fertilizer. Therefore food production could be increased. In addition, entirely new plants could be developed to feed the world’s hungry people.

Argument against

Point

Not everyone is excited about gene splicing, however. Some people feel that it could have terrible consequences.

Elaboration

A laboratory accident, for example, might cause an epidemic of an unknown disease that could wipe out humanity.

Conclusion

As a result of this controversy, the government has made rules to control genetic experiments. While some members of the scientific community feel that these rules are too strict, many other people feel that they are still not strict enough.\

Contoh 2:

The Advantage and Disadvantage of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power is generated by using uranium which is a metal mined in various part of the world. The first large scale of nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England in 1956.

Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant for engine. Nuclear power produces around 11% of the world's energy needed, and produces huge amounts of energy. It cause no pollution as we would get when burning fossil fuels. The advantages of nuclear plant are as follow:

• It costs about the same coal, so it is not expansive to make.
• It does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
• It produces huge amounts of energy from small amount of uranium.
• It produces small amount of waste.
• It is reliable.

On the other hand, nuclear power is very, very dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable, a lot of money has to be spent on safety because if it does go wrong, a nuclear accident ca be a major accident.

People are increasingly concerned about this matter. In the 1990's nuclear power was the fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world.

11. REVIEW

Social function review:
To critique an art work or event for a public audience
Generic structure review:

1. Orientation ( background information on the text)
2. Evaluation ( concluding statement : judgment, opinion, or recommendation. It can consist of more than one.
3. Interpretative Recount ( summary of an art works including characters and plot).
4. Evaluative summation: the last opinion consisting the appraisal or the punch line of the art works being criticized.

Language features review:

• Focus on specific participants
• Use of adjectives
• Use of long and complex clauses
• Use of metaphor
• Reviews are used to summarize, analyze and respond to art works. They may include: movie, TV shows, books, plays, concerts, etc. 

Contoh 1:

Private Lives Sparkle

Orientation

Since the first production of’Private Lives’ in 1930, with the theatre’s two leading sophisticates Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence in the leads, the play has tended to be seen as a vehicle for stars.

Evaluation

QUT Academy of the Arts’ production boasted no ‘stars’, but certainly fielded potential stars in a sparkling performance that brought out just how fine a piece of craftsmanship Coward’s play is.

Evaluation

More than 60 years later, what new could be deduced from so familiar a theme?

Director Rod Wissler’s highly perceptive approach went beyond the glittery surface of Witty banter to the darker implications beneath.

Interpretative Recount

With the shifting of attitudes to social values, it became clear that Victor and Sibyl were potentially the more admirable of the couples, with standards better adjusted than the volatile and self-indulgent Elyot and Amanda.

Evaluation

The wit was there, dexterously ping-ponged to and fro by a vibrant Amanda (Catherine Jones) and a suave Elyot (Daniel Kealy).

Evaluation

Julie Eckersley’s Sibyl was a delightful creation, and Phillip Cameron-Smith’s more serious playing w&sjust right for Victor. Jodie Levesconte was a superb French maid. James Maclean’s set captured the Thirties atmosphere with many subtle touches.

Evaluative Summation

All involved deserve the highest praise.

Contoh 2:

The Advantage and Disadvantage of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power is generated by using uranium which is a metal mined in various part of the world. The first large scale of nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England in 1956.

Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant for engine. Nuclear power produces around 11% of the world's energy needed, and produces huge amounts of energy. It cause no pollution as we would get when burning fossil fuels. The advantages of nuclear plant are as follow:

• It costs about the same coal, so it is not expansive to make.
• It does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
• It produces huge amounts of energy from small amount of uranium.
• It produces small amount of waste.
• It is reliable.

On the other hand, nuclear power is very, very dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable, a lot of money has to be spent on safety because if it does go wrong, a nuclear accident ca be a major accident.

People are increasingly concerned about this matter. In the 1990's nuclear power was the fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world.

12. SPOOF

Social function: To tell an event with a humorous twist.

Generic structure:

1. Orientation (who were involved, when and where was happened)

2. Events ( tell what happened in a chronological order)

3. Twist (provide the funniest part of the story)

Language features:

-Use of connectives (first, then, finally)

-Use of adverbial phrases of time and place (in the garden, two days ago)

-Use of simple past tense (he walked away from the village)

Contoh:

The Blonde and the Lawyer

A blonde and a lawyer are seated next to each other on a flight from LA to NY. The lawyer asks if she would like to play a fun game.

The blonde, tired, just wants to take a nap, politely declines and rolls over to the window to catch a few winks.

The lawyer persists and explains that the game is easy and a lot of fun.

He explains, “I ask you a question, and if you don’t know the answer, you pay me $5.00, and vise versa.”

Again, she declines and tries to get some sleep. The lawyer, now agitated, says, “Okay, if you don’t know the answer you pay me $5.00, and if I don’t know the answer, I will pay you $500.00.”

This catches the blonde’s attention and, figuring there will be no end to this torment unless she plays, agrees to the game. The lawyer asks the first question. “What’s the distance from the earth to the moon?” The blonde doesn’t say a word, reaches into her purse, pulls out a $5.00 bill and hands it to the lawyer. “Okay” says the lawyer, “your turn.”

She asks the lawyer, “What goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four legs?” The lawyer, puzzled, takes out his laptop computer and searches all his references, no answer. He taps into the air phone with his modem and searches the net and the library of congress, no answer. Frustrated, he sends e-mails to all his friends and coworkers, to no avail. After an hour, he wakes the blonde, and hands her $500.00.

The blonde says, “Thank you”, and turns back to get some more sleep.

The lawyer, who is more than a little miffed, wakes the blonde and asks, “Well, what’s the answer?” Without a word, the blonde reaches into her purse, hands the lawyer $5.00, and goes back to sleep.