UKBM BSE 3.5 / 4.

5 / 3 / 5

LET’S SMILE ….
LET’S LAUGH….

ANECDOTE
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 UKBM BSE 3.5 / 4.5 / 3 / 5

BSE 3.5/4.5/3/5.5

1. Identities
a. Subject : Bahasa & Sastra Inggris
b. Semester : 3
c. Based Competence : 3.5 & 4.5
d. Material : NARRATIVE TEXT (ANECDOTE)
e. Time Allocation : 4 JP ( 120 minutes)
f. Learning Objectives :

Well students……First of all let‟s know the couple of

objectives below so that you will have self preparation toward
what you will do in this UKBM

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Why should we learn Anecdote?

After understanding the objectives of KD 3.5/4.5 above , now I ask

you, have you ever heard or read funny and unusual incidents? what have
you felt after that? Of course you have been happy because the purpose of
anecdote text is to intertain the readers or listeners.

How about you? Have you ever experienced unusual or peculiar events? And
then tell the odd occurrence or unusual events to others. If you ever told such
an incident, it would be very easy to understand what is Anecdote Text.

Let‟s know more abaout Anecdote by reading the text book

1. Handbook ..... page ...

2. Open these link :

http://typeoftext.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-is-anecdote.html

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http://touchworldwithenglish.blogspot.com/2014/07/anecdote.html

After preparing many sources anecdote, let‟s take a look the following
steps. we are going to focus on :

MIND MAPPING

STUDENT 1
READS THE
TEXT
TO STUDENT 2

STUDENT 1
CHECK THE STUDENT 2
STORY TOLD RETELLS TO
BY STUDENT STUDENT 3
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STUDENT 3
RETELLS TO
STUDENT 4

LEARNING PROCESS
HOW TO USE UKBM

1. You can learn more about Anecdote text in .... page ...
2. You can also learn it from other books
3. Understanding the materials, you should do the exercises in this UKBM
4. You can do it on this UKBM, or on your note book

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What is Anecdote?

An anecdote is a type of spoken or written text that deals

with past incidents. The function is to retell an account or
story of unusual or amusing incident. The incident happened in
the past. The purposes are sharing with others an usual or
amusing incident and entertaining others. The generic structure
of anecdote text usually has five components and one is
optional: (1) Abstract, (2) Orientation, (3) Crisis, (4)
Reaction and (5) Coda (optional)

A. Generic Structure of Anecdote

1. Abstract : Signals the RETELLING of an unusual or amusing incident

2. Orientation : Sets the scene

3. Crisis : Provides details of the unusual incident.

4. Reaction : Reaction to the crisis

5. Coda (optional) : Reflection on or evaluation of the incident

B. Generic Features

1. It uses exclamation, rhetorical question and intensifiers (e.g. really, very,

quite etc). They are used to point up the significance of the events.

2. It usually uses Simple Past Tense.

3. Past continuous tense is sometimes used

4. Use of temporal sequencers to show the sequence of story. They are:

a) Before …
b) After …

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c) When …
d) While …
e) … until …
f) During …
g) As …
h) At that time …
i) At that moment …
j) After that …
k) Then …
l) Firstly …
m) Secondly …
n) Finally …

Now read an example of anecdote below!

Guess what happened when there was fisherman who threw a big fish back
into the water and keep only that small one? It is unusual incident, isn‟t?
One morning, a man was crossing a narrow bridge. When he saw a fisherman
under him on the shady bank of the deep smooth river he stopped to watch him
quietly.
He saw that the fisherman took it off the hook and caught a big fish. But
he threw it back to water. Then he put his hook and line in again. After a
minute he caught rather big fish. Again, he threw it back into the river. Then
the third time, he caught a small fish. He put it into his basket and started to
get ready to go. The man on the bridge was very surprised, so he spoke to the
fisherman. He asked why did he threw those beautiful big fishes back into the
water and just kept only the small one.
The fisherman looked up and answered, “I only have a frying pan”
Oh poor fisherman!

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To get better comprehension about anecdote text, here is the summary:

1. Social Function : to share with others an account of unusual, uncommon or

amusing incident.

2. The text organization or generic structure of anecdote is

a. ABSTRACT : signals the retelling of unusual, uncommon or amusing

incident

b. ORIENTATION : introduction or sets the scene

c. CRISIS : provides details of unusual, uncommon or amusing incident

d. INCIDENT : reaction to the CRISIS

e. CODA : (OPTIONAL), a reflection or an evaluation of unusual, uncommon

or amusing incident

3. The language features of anecdote text are:

a. using exclamation (e.g great!, what a bad day!, a very strange incident!
etc)
b. using of rhetorical questions (e.g what do you like to do when you make
wrong thing? , oh no, it is a stupid thing, isn‟t?)
c. using intensifiers (e.g very, so + adjective , much etc)
d. using material processes (e.g protected, employed, spoke etc)
e. using temporal conjunctions (e.g then, afterwards, ever since, while,
before, after etc).

NOTES:

1. Exclamations, rhetorical questions and intensifiers are used to point up the

significant of the events or incidents. And Material processes and temporal
conjunctions are used to tell what is going on or happened.
2. Material processes are verbs that show us what happened and what
someone do or what is done.
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3. Temporal conjunctions are conjunctions that show the time sequence of

events.

A.FUNCTION OF ANECDOTE
• To Bring Cheer
Sometimes telling a story just makes people laugh or brightens the mood. In the
example about favorite recipes, the woman is sharing a tale with her friends or
coworkers about a time that she experienced a disaster in the kitchen. Whether she
tried to boil an egg without water or made fudge that turned as hard as a rock,
the other people are sure to have a good laugh.

• To Reminisce
In several of these examples, such as the parents on Christmas morning and the
elderly couple, people are talking about their pasts. They are looking back favorably
on moments in their lives and sharing the joy of that time with others.

• To Caution
In the fire safety case, the speaker is trying to show the audience what can happen
if they do not follow proper procedures. Sometimes just laying out rules for
individuals is not effective. They need to hear frightening stories of dangers that can
be avoided

• To Persuade or Inspire
Returning to the examples about tutors and tutoring sessions, the speakers want
the students to know they are there to help, and that they have faced similar
struggles. They want the students to know that there is the possibility of a
brighter future if they put the work in. Of course, anecdotes do not have to serve
such specific purposes all the time. They can just be part of a natural conversation
with other people. Anecdotes and humorous pieces are not only jokes, but exquisite
literary devices as well. Their major purposes are to stir up laughter, to disclose a
truth in a general way, or to describe a feature of a character in such a way that
it becomes humorous and at the same time gives us a better understanding of the
character. Anecdotes may also serve as cautions. Writers tell their readers about the
possibilities of future happenings in case they do not follow particular processes and
techniques.

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B.How to Write an Anecdote

Anecdotes are often used in speeches not only to entertain with a simple story but
also to reveal a greater truth. An anecdote is a narrated story that is biographical
in nature and must be about a real person. Often called "modernday parables,"
anecdotes are short narratives that make the listeners both laugh and think. As long
as the story illustrates the point that the narrator is trying to make, it can be
considered an anecdote. Many people use anecdotes in speeches, church sermons and
wedding toasts, so learning how to write an anecdote will certainly come in handy
over the course of a lifetime.

• It must be true
An anecdote must be a true story about someone. It might be you, and
therefore the anecdote would be written in first person. If you witnessed the
event, you would write the anecdote in third person. As with any good story or
essay, an anecdote must relay the who, what, when, where, why and how of the
"plot." While there's no need to go overboard in details, these essential elements
frame the story.

• It must be short
An anecdote is simply a slice of life that illustrates a point, often with wit and
humor. By connecting the point to a memorable story, narrators can ensure that
listeners will be more likely to remember it. An anecdote should not contain any
information that is not essential to the understanding of the story and, as the
ultimate in short-story writing, every word counts. When writing an anecdote,
reveal only the details that matter, and leave the rest behind.

Okay guys, you have had materials of anecdote. You have enough stories to
amuse yourselves as well as your friends. Are you ready to intertain them ? let‟s
continue doing the exercises below?

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Read the following story then answer the following questions

STILTS

The king wanted to test Abunawas' smartness. So, he invited

Abunawas to the palace.
"You want me, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, you've fooled me many times. And that's too much. I want you to leave
this country. Otherwise, you'll have to go to jail."
"If that is what you want," Abunawas said sadly, "I will do what you say."
"Remember, start from tomorrow you may not step on the ground of this
country anymore," the king said seriously.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Abunawas then left the palace sadly. The following morning the king ordered two
of his guards to go to Abunawas „s house. They were surprised. Abunawas was still
there. He was swimming in a small pool in his front yard.
"Hey, Abunawas, why haven't you left this country? The king ordered you not to
step on the ground of this country again, didn't he?"
"Sure he did," answered Abunawas calmly. "But, look at me. Do I step on the
ground? No, I'm swimming. I'm in the water."
The guards were not able to argue with Abunawas. So, they left and went back
to the palace to report what they had seen. The king was curious on Abunawas „s
excuses not to leave the country. Therefore, he summoned Abunawas. Abunawas came
to the palace on stilts.
" Abunawas, I will surely punish you because you did not do what I said. And
now, look at you! You walked on stilts like a child. Are you crazy?" said the king
pretended to be furious.
“I remember exactly what you said, Your Majesty," Abunawas answered calmly.
"This morning I took a bath in the pool so that I did not have to stand on the ground.
And since yesterday I have been walking on stilts. So as you see, I do not step on the
ground.”
The king was not able to say anything. He thought that Abunawas was really
smart. He then offered Abunawas drink. Abunawas was glad and smiled a lot.
http://english-story-collection.blogspot.co.id/2013/08/101-story-of-abunawas-stilts.html

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LET‟S DISCUSS THE TEXT !

1. Why did the king invite Abunawas to the palace?

2. Why did the king punish Abunawas?
3. What was the punishment?
4. Did Abunawas do the punishment? Why?
5. Which paragraph is :
a. ABSTRACT ?
b. ORIENTATION ?
c. CRISIS ?
d. INCIDENT ?
6. Is there any Coda?

Fill the column below based on the text above. Number 1 is done as the
example

NO Simple Past Past continuous Tense Temporal Sequences

1. He was swimming in a Abunawas then left
small pool the palace sadly

2. ............................... ............................... ...............................

3. ............................... ............................... ...............................

4. ............................... ............................... ...............................

5. ............................... ...............................

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...............................

6. ............................... ............................... ...............................

Etc ............................... ............................... ...............................

From the text you see that the tenses mostly used in the text Simple
Past and Past Continuous.

When we talk abaut past events, it relates mostly with Simple Past as well as
Past Continuous. Do you know the diffrence in using them? Before we learn
about them, take a look the picture below. Suppose it happened several minutes
ago.

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1. What is the man doing?

2. What happened with the apple?
3. The picture shows 2 actions, right?
4. From the two actions :
 Which happened first?
 Which happened next?
 Which needs longer time?
 Which needs a very short time?

Are you still confused about both?

Here's a quick reminder of the rules of using past simple and past
continuous together.

In this sentence there are two verbs:

Mr. Hilmy was sitting under the tree when an apple dropped on his head

The first action is a long action - it lasted for a period of time. We therefore
use the past continuous.

The second action is a short action that has interrupted the first. So for this
we need past simple!

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The regular past simple is formed using 'ed' and the past continuous is formed
using was/were + past participle.

Now I've reminded you of how to use these tenses, try to do the exercise below
and see if you can decide which verb needs which tense. Good luck!

PUT THE VERBS IN BRACKETS INTO CORRECT FORMS OF SIMPLE PAST OR

PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE. REMEMBER THE USE OF REGULAR AND
IRREGULAR VERBS

1. The children (play) in the park when it (start) to rain.

2. I (watch) a movie when I (notice) him standing outside.
3. She (arrive) when I (have) a bath, so I couldn't answer the door!
4. I (see) a famous celebrity when I (shop) on Oxford Street yesterday.
5. Charlie (hide) in my wardrobe when Lola( find) him. She ( scream)!
6. Suddenly the computer (not work) when I (check) my bank balance.
7. I (live) in Cape Town when Michelle Obama (visit).
8. My parents (watch) me carefully but my brother (distract) them so I
could sneak out the window!

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CHAIN RETELLING

1. Make group of four. ( student 1, 2, 3, and 4)

2. The text is read by student 1 in front of student 2
secretly
3. Then student 2 retell to student 3
4. Then Student 3 retelling to student 4 . Student 4
checks whether student 3 story true or false

This is another example of anecdote that you can use to do the above
instruction

YOU MUST BE CLEVER

Once upon a time, there was a poor man. His name was Abu Nawas. Although
he was poor, but he was clever and diligent. One day, he saw a notice on
the wall of palace. The notice was about the plant of the king to choose his
advisor.
"I must get the chance, I must show that I am good enough to be advisor,
otherwise I will never get a chance to be a rich man"
Then he went to the palace to register to be a candidate. Many people seem
to doubt his quality. But he was confident to be the winner. After waiting
in the palace for many days, somebody came,
"Go with me to meet the king!!" he asked.
He followed and met the king on the throne. There, Abu sat on the floor
waiting for the king said.
"okay, your name is Abu Nawas isn't it?!!" king asked.
"Yes your Honour!" Abu Nawas replied
"Okay, now answer the simple question. How many birds are there in this
country?"
"Your Honour if this the question I will answer 99.999" Abu Nawas answered.
"Why are you so sure Abu Nawas? he asked.
"Yes, you may count them now!" Abu Nawas felt sure.
"And if they are less, what do you bet?" he asked

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"it means some of them are visiting to their neighbours" Said Abu Nawas.
"And if they are more than that number??!!" he asked again.
"it means some of their neighbours are visiting them " Abu Nawas answered
confidently.
After thinking for a while than the king said, "Abu Nawas I admit you are the
most suitable candidate to be my advisor!" he smiled.
"You must be a clever man, I am looking for!" king said.
Then Abu Nawas became the advisor of the king and lived in the palace. Soon
after that, his life changed and became a rich man
http://dyahhpangestuti.blogspot.co.id/2012/10/story-telling-abu-nawas.html

After learning Anecdote step by step, mention what skills you have got

from this UKBM. What are they?

1 …………….

2 ……………

3 ……………

4 ……………

5 ……………

THEN YOU HAVE TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS HONESTLY

TO TEST HOW FAR YOUR UNDERSTANDING TOWARD THIS UNIT IS.

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REFLECTION

Take a If your answer is “Yes”. Put if your answer is

“NO”Table self reflection toward the understanding of ANECDOTE

No Reflection

1 Have you understood the concept of ANECDOTE?

2 Have you understood the concept of ANECDOTE?

3 Can you mention the social function of ANECDOTE?

4 Can you tell the story of ANECDOTE to your partner?

Up to this step ask yourself, how far is your understanding about this UKBM.
What percent (%) is yours?

Before ending

1. Let‟s check how far your understanding about Anecdote by doing some
more exercises in BTP /Students Book
2. For those who need more improvement in understanding this chapter,
please learn more about this from many sources
3. Be sure that you are mastering in RETELLING STORY
4. Have you understood making sentences using Simple Past and Past
Continuous Tense?
5. How do you differ between Simple Past and Past Continuous Tense?
6. What tense do you use to express a past short action?
7. What tense do you use to express a past long action?
8. Bring the gold with you if you are master in doing this module best!

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Have you done ….?

NO ACTIVITIES PAGE

1 Answering questions 9 - 11

2 11 - 12

Filling the column

3 12 - 13

Answering questions

4 Grammar exercises 13 – 14

5 14

Chain Retelling

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