Modul 1
English for Communication
Dosen Pengampu: Vidia Puspita
2. Report Text
2.1 Definition of Report Text
Report is a text which concerned with general categories of things rather than events and
happenings and with informing about technical and scientific topics. Because of this, they
can seldom be interpreted and constructed without knowledge of the field and its
associated language.
Environmental Disasters
A disaster is something that does a lot of damage. Sometimes, disasters hurt living things
and the place where they live. These disasters are called environmental disasters. Water
pollution can be an environmental disaster. Water is polluted when people put things
such as rubbish into it. Air pollution can also be an environmental disaster. Air can be
polluted bythings such as gas or smoke.
Oil Spills
Sometimes oil is spilled into water. Most oil spills are accidents. The most common
accidents are when an oil tanker hits another oil tanker, or when an oil tanker hits the
rocks.
Toxic Gas
Toxic means poisonous. Companies use toxic gas to make chemicals. Large amounts of
toxic gas can be very dangerous. It can hurt or kill animals and humans.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power can be very useful, but it can also be very dangerous if something goes
wrong. If there is an accident, it can cause dangerous radioactive fallout. This cannot be
seen, but it quickly spreads over a large area.
Smog
Smog is a big cloud of polluted air. It is like a very thick fog. It hangs just above the
ground. In some big cities, a lot of coal and oil are used. These can make smog. In some
cities, there are lots of cars and trucks on the road. The fumes from the cars and trucks can
make smog. The more pollution there is, the worse the smog gets. (Source: Derewianka
2016, p. 165.)
Modul 1
English for Communication
Dosen Pengampu: Vidia Puspita
2.2 Social/Language Function of Report Text
1. Classifying Report: to organise and describe a field or topic into a class
and subclasshierarchy.
2. Compositional Report: to organise and describe a field or topic according
to its part (apart or whole part).
2.3 Generic Structure of Report Text
The followings are the structure of Report text.
a. Opening general statement/General classification
The first part of the Report is locating what is being talked about in the
universe of things. It often takes the form of a classification or
definition (e.g. Bikes are a popular form transport). Sometimes the
opening statement may also indicate a particular aspect of the topic that is
being treated (e.g. There are many different types of bike in Australia).
b. Facts about various aspects of the subject/Descriptions
These facts will be grouped into topic areas, each marked by a topic
sentence to indicate the particular aspect of the subject being dealt with.
Each aspect might be elaborated by referring to distinctive
characteristics of the subject (color, shape, habits, behavior, etc.), or by
giving examples, or by comparing, contrasing and classifying, or by
describing components and their function.
2.4 Language Features of Report Text
Some language features that you can follow to make a Descriptive text are as follow:
1. Using general nouns. (e.g.: hunting dogs)
2. Using relating verbs to describe features. (e.g.: Molecules are tiny particles)
3. Using action verbs.
4. Using timeless present tense to indicate usualness.
5. Using technical terms.
6. Using paragraphs with topic sentences.
7. Using passive voice
Modul 1
English for Communication
Dosen Pengampu: Vidia Puspita
Look at the model of Report Text with the structure and the language
features below.
Text Structure Camel Language Features
General classification Camel is a large and Relating Verb
strong animal which is Passive Voice
commonly seen in Timeless present
desert. tense
Descriptions There are two kinds of Technical term
camel; Arabian camel
and Bactrian camel.
The first kind of camel
has one hump and the
second has two humps.
Descriptions Camels are able to Relating Verb
travel in great distances Action Verb
across hot and dry
deserts with little food
or water. They walk
easily on
soft sand of the desert.
Descriptions Camels are trained as Passive voice
means of Technical term
transportation by
carrying people and
loads on their backs.
They also serve the
people of the desert in
many other ways.
