Examples of Descriptive Text in Historical Placesj Mahal Eiffel Tower Colosseum Monas Prambanan
12 December 2015
What is a descriptive text? It is one of text genres which tries to portray the the object as detail as what the writer see to his readers. The descriptive text is mostly about person, animal, thing, and historical place written through the sequence of the element structure.
Based on the school curriculum 2013, the theme of which descriptive text portray is about interesting places to visit, such as tourism objects and other unique or interesting places. Below are some examples of descriptive texts completed with the analysis of the generic structure for each text.
1. THE AMAZING TAJ MAHAL IN INDIA
Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. It was built by a Muslim Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife at Agra.
Taj Mahal is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal. The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it.
The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.
Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.
Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river.Source: www.islamicity.com/culture/Taj/default.htm
Generic Structure Analysis
1. Identification: It introduces the place which the text will describe in more detail. In this sample, the identification is the Taj Mahal
2. Description: It elaborate more details what the Taj Mahal looks like. The first thing is the building complex parts, then followed with building architecture and design, the dome chambers, and the building materials
1. Identification: It introduces the place which the text will describe in more detail. In this sample, the identification is the Taj Mahal
2. Description: It elaborate more details what the Taj Mahal looks like. The first thing is the building complex parts, then followed with building architecture and design, the dome chambers, and the building materials
2. The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is an iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest building in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; millions of people ascend it every year.Generic Structure Analysis
Named for its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair.The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-story building. Upon its completion, it surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930; however, due to the addition in 1957 of the antenna, the tower is now taller than the Chrysler Building. Not including broadcast antennas, it is the second-tallest structure in France after the 2004 Millau Viaduct.
The tower has three levels for visitors. Tickets can be purchased to ascend, by stairs or lift, to the first and second levels. The walk to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the walk from the first to the second level. The third and highest level is accessible only by elevator. Both the first and second levels feature restaurants.
The tower has become the most prominent symbol of both Paris and France, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.
1. Identification: It introduces the palace which the text will describe in more detail. In this sample, the identification is the The Eiffel Tower
2. Description: It elaborate more details what the Eiffel Tower looks like. The first thing is the location, then followed with physical appearance, the tower, and the symbol of the tower
3. Colosseum
The Colosseum or Coliseum, otherwise called the Flavian Amphitheater (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; and Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo), is a circular amphitheater in the focal point of the city of Rome. Manufactured of concrete and stone, it is the greatest amphitheater ever and is considered as one of the best works of construction modeling and designing.Generic Structure Analysis
The Colosseum is found only east of the Roman Forum. Development of this building started under the Vespasian head in 72 AD, and was done in 80 AD under his relatives and beneficiary Titus. Further remodels were made amid the rule of Domitian (81–96).These three heads which are known as the Flavian administration, and the amphitheater was named in Latin in light of the fact that its connection with their family name (Flavius).
3. Identification: It introduces the place which the text will describe in more detail. In this sample, the identification is the The Colosseum
4. Description: It elaborate more details what and how Colosseum looks like. The first thing is the location, then followed with building materials, the time for building, and the meaning Flavian administration
4. Monas National Monument
The National Monument, or "Monas" as it is popularly called, is one of the monuments built during the Sukarno era of fierce nationalism.Generic Structure Analysis
The top of the National Monument (Monas) is Freedom Square. It stands for the people's determination to achieve freedom and the crowning of their efforts in the Proclamation of Independence in August 1945. The 137-meter tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kg of gold. The base houses a historical museum and a hall for meditations.
The monument is open to the public and upon request the lift can carry visitors to the top, which offers a bird's eye view on the city and the sea.It goes early to beat the crowds and the haze. It is easy for the less physically able as lifts take visitors to the top. The diorama exhibition in the basement gives such a distorted view of Indonesian history.
This imposing obelisk is Jakarta's most famous landmark. Construction started in 1961 under President Soekarno but was not completed until 1975, under President Soeharto. The monument houses a couple of museums. The Freedom Hall depicts Indonesia's struggle for independence through a series of dioramas, whereas the Hall of Contemplation displays the original Declaration of Independence document and a recording of the speech.
1. Identification: It introduces the place which the text will describe in more details. In this sample, the identification is the The National Monument
2. Description: It elaborates more details what the National Monument looks like. The first thing is the building parts, and then followed with visitor fasility, the time for completing to build the monument.
5. Prambanan Temple
Candi Prambanan or Candi Rara Jonggrang is a nineth-century Hindu sanctuary situated in Central Java, Indonesia, and devoted to theTrimurti, the statement of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva).Generic Structure Analysis
The sanctuary compound is more or less 17 kilometers (11 mi) upper east of the city of Yogyakarta on the limit between Central Java and Yogyakarta territories.
The sanctuary compound which is considered as an UNESCO World Heritage site, is the greatest Hindu sanctuary site in Indonesia. It is portrayed by its stature and pointed structural planning, and the towering 47-meter-high (154 ft) focal building inside an extensive complex of individual sanctuaries. Prambanan awes numerous guests from over the world.
1. Identification: It introduces the place which the text will describe in more details. In this sample, the identification is the Prambanan Temple
2. Description: It elaborates more details what the Prambanan Temple looks like. The elaboration is the location and followed by the building parts.
Thats's all about the example of descriptive text in tourism object and historical places completed with the analysis of the generic structure. Hopefully, this post can motivate students of high school to try make and develop their own written descriptive text like the school curriculum imposed. Happy learning English!