LK 1 REPORT TEXT

In general, report text is one type of text that is categorized as “factual texts.” This kind of text
is often said as “twin brother” of descriptive text. So that many students are “confused” how to
distinguish these texts.

But actually, it is not too difficult to distinguish between Descriptive Text and Report Text.
Descriptive text gives a specific description; on the other side the report text gives description
in general about an object. In other word, descriptive text describes a specific object while the
report text describes common object. Descriptive text is written based on opinions of what the
author sees and feels. Then, the report text is written scientifically based on the results of deep
research.

Definition of Report text

The term report text is often also known as informational report. The Report, in Concise Oxford
Dictionary 10th Edition, is defined as 1) an account given of a matter after investigation or
consideration. 2) a piece of information about an event or situation. It can be concluded, in
term of language, the report text is a text that function to provide information about an event
or situation, after holding investigation and through various considerations.

The definition of report text is also almost similar to what is often mentioned in some English
books at high school level, “Reports text is a text which is the result of systematic observation
and analyzes.”

Thus, actually Report Text and Descriptive Text have a fairly clear distinction, although it
appears that the both text are said to be “twin siblings”.

In conclusion, in the report text it usually contains facts that can be proven scientifically.

Generic Structure of Report text

As descriptive text, Report text also has only two generic structures:

# General Classification; Stating classification of general aspect of thing; animal, public place,

plant, which will be discussed in general

# Description: tells what the phenomenon under discussion; in terms of parts, qualities, habits

or behaviors.
The other says that the generic structure of Report Text are :
* General information
* Bundles of Specific Information

General information is the part that mentions general information from the written objects
discussed. Then, the Bundles of specific information, is the descriptions of objects in detail.

Purpose of Report text

Every text must have the purpose why it was written. So do this. Some experts mention that the
purpose of the report text is:

Its social purpose is presenting information about something. They generally describe an entire
class of things, whether natural or made: mammals, the planets, rocks, plants, countries of
region, culture, transportation, and so on.

It can be concluded the purpose of report text is to convey information of observation through
systematic analysis. The information described in the report text is usually general, whether
natural or artificial like mammals, planets, rocks, plants, states, culture, transportation, and so
forth.

The purposes of report text are:

1. To describe something in general

2. To present information about (something), as it is
3. To describe the way things are

Language Features of Report text

– Use of general nouns: hunting dogs, rather than particular nouns: our dog;
– Use of relating verbs to describe features: Molecules are tiny particles;
– Some use of action verbs when describing behavior: Emus cannot fly;
– Use of timeless present tense to indicate usualness: Tropical cyclones always begin over the
sea;
– Use of technical terms: Isobars are lines drawn on a weather map;
– Use of paragraphs with topic sentences to organize bundles of information; repeated naming
of the topic as the beginning focus of the clause
 Cat

A cat is one of the mammal animal which is liked a lion. It is called small lion. Although
they have a similarity but they are different much. A cat is categorized as a tame
animal, is a carnivore which consumes meat flesh or fish. We can see it everywhere
such as at home, at road, at the cat conservation and other.

This mammal, has four legs for making it easy to run so don’t be shocked if you see the
fast cat takes your meal in the dining table. It can run as fast as a dog. It has paws to
protect itself from the enemy, climbing the tree and danger. It has sharp teeth which
are useful to cut the meal, eat something and bring something. The beautiful and
smooth feather is for protecting form the unpredicted situation and keeps the
important body part. Every cat has different feather color, such as cream, black, white,
or black-white and other.

It is a tame pet so everybody takes care of it at home, to protect from the mouse too.
But we have to be careful when we are with it. There are many diseases from the cat,
for example influenza, cough, respiratory error who can be caused by the cat feather. If
you have a cat at home and you love it so much, please wash your hand before
touching your meal and face, sweep the floor after it sleeps and also takes a bath it
once a day.

1. What is the topic of the text?

2. What is the main idea of paragraph 2?
3. Why do people like cats as their pets?
4. What diseases can a cat cause?
5. What are the differences between a cat and a lion?
6. “Although they have a similarity but they are different much.
What does the word they refer to?
7. “A cat is categorized as a tame animal, is a ….”
The underlined word has the same meaning as ….
8. How does a cat protect itself?
9. How fast can a cat run?
10. What are a cat’s teeth like?
II. Please fill in the table as the generic structure of the text.

Paragraph Name of the part of the text Purpose Main idea

Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
III. Find a report text and make ten questions from the text.