44 Examples of Funny Anecdotal Texts, Complete with Discussion of the Structure

In everyday life, we often come across funny stories or joke whose contents satirize or criticize issues that are currently hot in society, such as the messy politics in this country, education policies, and so on. The stories above may be some examples of essays that include anecdotal texts. Actually, what is meant by the text of the anecdote? To answer this question, here we provide an overview of the meaning, characteristics, writing rules, and the structure of anecdotal texts along with examples.

Understanding Anecdotal Text Teks 

In short, anecdotal texts can be interpreted as short funny stories written as a form of criticism of a phenomenon in society. Meanwhile, according to the KBBI, anecdotes are defined as short stories that are interesting because they are funny and impressive, usually about important or famous people and based on actual events.

Anecdotal text is an essay or story based on events that actually happened in real life that are written briefly and contain elements of humor or humor in it. Although it contains elements of humor or humor that aims to arouse the reader's laughter, the main purpose of writing the text anecdote is to criticize, insinuate, or reveal the truth behind an event that is happening in Indonesia Public. Anecdotal texts have no topic restrictions. Authors are free to choose topics such as politics, health, education, and others. Usually, anecdotal texts feature important or famous characters in them to attract the attention of the readers.

Characteristics of Anecdotal Text

To distinguish it from other essays or stories, anecdotal texts have the following characteristics:

• Tells about things that are humorous or jokes.
• In general, it tells about humans and animals.
• Presented in a form resembling a fairy tale.
• Factual, the topics discussed have or are happening in the community.
• Usually featuring important or famous figures to attract the reader's attention
• Aims to criticize a phenomenon, or event, or character. Anecdotal texts are often used as media criticize public services in the political, social, economic, social, culture, defense, and security (poleksosbudhankam).

Anecdotal Text Writing Structure

In writing, anecdotal texts have structures that build the whole text. In general, the structure of anecdotal text is divided into Abstraction, Orientation, Event, Crisis, Reaction, and Code. To find out the parts of the structure in more depth one by one, here is a review of the structure of the anecdotal text:

• Abstract: This section is located at the beginning of the anecdotal text. The contents are in the form of an overview of the contents of the written anecdotal text.
• Orientation: The second part of this anecdotal text is an introduction to the written anecdotal text. This section contains the beginning and the things behind the events or events in the written anecdote text.
• Event: This section summarizes a series of events or events that occur in the written anecdote text.
• Crisis: In this section, the problems that are the main focus of the anecdotal text are raised.
• Reaction: This section contains the steps for solving the problems that arise in the critical section.
• Coda: This section is the end of an anecdote text. In this section there is a conclusion from the story or phenomenon discussed in an anecdotal text.

Anecdotal Text Language Rules

Like other types of essays in Indonesian, anecdotal texts also have their own linguistic rules. Here are some linguistic rules that become the standard in writing anecdotal texts:

• Using past tense adverbs, such as one day; one morning bright; and others.
• Using conjunctions or connecting words, such as then; then; cause and effect; therefore; and others.
• Using usage word work, like go; return; Street; and others.
• Events or stories are presented chronologically or sequentially based on time events.
• Using the type of rhetorical question, which is a type of question that does not require an answer. This question is used to create a subtle satire effect.

Steps to Write Anecdotal Text

Before starting to write anecdote text, here are some easy ways to know in writing anecdote text:

1. Determine the topic of the text to be written. Topics can be based on real events, imagination, or a combination of the two.
2. Determine the purpose of the text to be written. This goal setting is useful so that the story that is written will be right on target and not too long-winded.
3. Collect writing materials. Writing materials can be obtained by observing events in the surrounding environment. In addition, writing materials can be extracted from the author's imagination. In making writing material, the author can add a cause-and-effect relationship to a problem that contains an element of humor in it.
4. Develop an outline. After topics, goals, and ingredient have been collected, the next thing to do is to build an outline of the essay and arrange it into a story intact.

Anecdotal Text Examples

Here are some examples of anecdotal texts and their descriptions.

1. Indonesian President 'Crazy'

One time, during his visit to the United States, the fourth Indonesian President was involved in small talk with the American President at the White House. The Indonesian president then told about the presidents who had served in Indonesia.

"Presidents in Indonesia are all crazy," said the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

“Why do you talk like that? Can you please explain?”, the US President asked not understanding.

“Yes, our first president was crazy about women. Then the second president is crazy about treasure. Then the president who served before me, he's a tech freak."

"Then what about you yourself who serve as president at this time?", the US President asked.

The President of the Republic of Indonesia replied with a laugh, "Now, the crazy ones choose me"

The story above is an example of anecdotal text. This anecdote text highlights the incident of the election of the fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia, namely K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid. At that time the election of Gusdur was enough to create a debate, considering the physical health condition of Gusdur, where one of the requirements to become president was "physically and mentally healthy". If viewed from the structure, the anecdotal text above can be described as follows:

• Abstraction :

One time, during his visit to the United States, the fourth Indonesian President was engaged in small talk with the American President at the White House.

• Orientation :

The Indonesian president then told about the presidents who had served in Indonesia.

• Crisis:

The President of the Republic of Indonesia said, "Presidents in Indonesia are all crazy."

• Reaction:

“Why do you talk like that? Can you please explain?”, the US President asked not understanding. “Yes, our first president was crazy about women. Then the second president is crazy about treasure. Then the president who served before me, he's crazy technology.”. "Then what about you yourself who serve as president at this time?", the US President asked.

• Code :

The President of the Republic of Indonesia replied with a laugh, "Now, the crazy one chose me

2. Bodrex

One day during the fasting month, an old man suddenly felt dizzy in his head. The grandfather immediately took the medicine Bodrex in the cupboard to relieve his headache. His grandson who saw the incident then asked, "Grandpa is fasting, why is grandfather taking medicine?". With an innocent look, the grandfather replied casually, "That's medicine Bodrex, can be drunk anytime."

The story above is an example of anecdotal text. This anecdote text tries to discuss about tagline from one of the drug brands, Bodrex. Tagline "Can be taken at any time" actually means that this drug can be taken before or after meals. However, the text was deliberately misinterpreted to display an element of humor in it. If viewed from the structure, the anecdotal text above can be described as follows:

• Abstract: One day in the fasting month.

• Orientation: An old man suddenly felt dizzy in his head.

• Crisis: The grandfather immediately took the medicine Bodrex in the cupboard to relieve his headache.

• Reaction: His grandson who saw the incident then asked, "Grandpa is fasting, why do you even take medicine?".

• Koda: With an innocent look, the old man replied casually, “That's medicine Bodrex, can be drunk anytime."

3. International 'Tariff' School

In a school, a teacher is seen teaching in a classroom. Sofa is one of the students in the class.

"Before ending the lesson, the teacher will give a little announcement.", suddenly there was a boisterous protest from the students.

"Calm down!", the teacher took over the situation again. "There is good news, starting next year's lessons, our school will become SBI.". The class became noisy again after hearing the announcement from the teacher.

"That means our school will become an international standard school, ma'am?" asked a student.

"So true. As the level of our schools increases, we must also prepare things to improve our capabilities, both from the teaching staff and from the students. What do you think we should prepare?”, the teacher threw questions to his students.

"Ability language England, ma'am. Because if our school becomes SBI, then the daily language of instruction will be English, ma'am,” said one student.

"Yes, that is true. Anything else to add?”

"Must prepare more money, ma'am.", said Sofa from the back row.

"What do you mean, Sofa?", the teacher was surprised by the student's answer.

"Yes, yes, ma'am. We have to prepare more payment money. Because if our school becomes an SBI, not only is the level international, but the 'fare' is also international."

Laughter broke out throughout the classroom, the teacher could only shake his head in response to the answer of one of his students.

The story above is an example of anecdotal text. The text of the anecdote tries to criticize the international standard school policy which some time ago had been implemented in several schools in the country. This policy has become a polemic because it is considered to discriminate between one class of students and another. In addition, international standard school policies are also considered as an opportunity to ask for higher fees from students' parents. If viewed from the structure, the anecdotal text above can be described as follows:

• Abstraction :

In a school, there is a teacher in the middle of a classroom. Sofa is one of the students in the class.

• Orientation :

"Before ending the lesson, the teacher will give a little announcement.", suddenly there was a boisterous protest from the students.

• Crisis:

"There is good news, starting next year's lessons, our school will become SBI."

• Reaction:

"So true. As the level of our schools increases, we must also prepare things to improve our capabilities, both from the teaching staff and from the students. What do you think we should prepare?”, the teacher threw questions to his students.

"Must prepare more money, ma'am.", said Sofa from the back row.

"What do you mean, Sofa?", the teacher was surprised by the student's answer.

• Code :

"Yes, yes, ma'am. We have to prepare more payment money. Because if our school becomes an SBI, not only is the level international, but the 'fare' is also international.” Laughter broke out throughout the classroom, the teacher could only shake his head in response to one answer his student.

4. 'The End - The End of Money'

In a class, there is a Citizenship Education lesson taking place. The teacher was seen explaining enthusiastically.

“As previously explained in junior high school, our Constitution has changed several times following the conditions of the Indonesian people at that time. However, even so, the 1945 Constitution remains the reference for all applicable regulations in Indonesia Indonesia from then until now. In other words, all regulations in Indonesia are regulated in the 1945 Constitution.”, the teacher looked around the class, and saw a student sleeping in the back seat.

"Tono, try to explain about the changes to the Constitution so far and what all the regulations regulated in the Constitution mean!", the teacher half shouted to wake him up.

What Tono meant was awakened by his seatmate's elbow, "Me, sir?", the answer was still half asleep.

"Yes, try to explain about the amendments to the Constitution so far and what all the regulations regulated in the Constitution mean!", the teacher repeated his question.

"I don't know, sir, about the amendment to the Constitution," he answered casually. "But I can explain why all the regulations are regulated in the Constitution."

"You mean? Try to explain!"

"Why are all regulations regulated in the Constitution, because all regulations in Indonesia are the Constitution, aka money in the end."

Suddenly the atmosphere of the class became crowded. The entire class, including the teacher, laughed at Tono's remarks.

The story above is an example of anecdotal text. The text of the anecdote tries to raise the phenomenon that often occurs in the people's representative institutions that formulate legislation. Laws often no longer pay attention to the needs of many people, but are more often carried with interests that benefit several parties. If viewed from the structure, the anecdotal text above can be described as follows:

• Abstraction :

In a class, there is a Citizenship Education lesson taking place. The teacher was seen explaining enthusiastically.

• Orientation :

“As previously explained in junior high school, our Constitution has changed several times following the conditions of the Indonesian people at that time. However, even so, the 1945 Constitution remains the reference for all applicable regulations in Indonesia from the past until now. In other words, all regulations in Indonesia are regulated in the 1945 Constitution.”, the teacher looked around the class, and saw a student sleeping in the back seat.

• Crisis:

I don't know, sir, about the amendment to the Constitution," he answered casually. "But I can explain why all the regulations are regulated in the Constitution."

• Reaction:

“You mean, try to explain!”

• Code :

"Why are all regulations regulated in the Constitution, because all regulations in Indonesia are the Constitution, aka money in the end." Suddenly the atmosphere of the class became crowded. The entire class, including the teacher, laughed at Tono's remarks.

So, that was the review of Anecdotal Text. If you find this article useful, please share it.