Types of Texts
Types of Texts
Types of Texts
Literary Factual
Procedure To give • Begins with a statement of goal (could be the title) • Recipe
instructions • Lists materials needed in order of use • Instructions
on how to • Gives a series of steps (instructions) in order • Manual
• Each instruction begins with a verb in the present
make or do
tense
something
Expository • To give reasons • Begins with a sentence that gives a point of • Advertisement
Essay for a point of view on a topic (thesis) • Lecture
view • Lists the arguments giving reasons and evidence • Essay
• To try to • Speech
for them
convince others • Newspaper or
about an issue • Uses convincing language eg ‘will damage’ magazine
instead of ‘may damage’ article
Type Purpose Characteristics Example
Discussion To examine issues from • Begins with some • Academic essay.
essay more different points of background information • Debate
view in order to make an leading to the issue. • Conversation.
Informed decision. • Lists arguments for and
against, giving evidence
or different points of view.
• Gives a conclusion that
summarizes both sides or
recommend one point of
view
Type Purpose Characteristic Example
Narrative • To entertain, • The scene is set in a time and place Picture books,
• amuse or instruct. and cartoons, mystery, fantasy,
• To tell a story • Characters are introduced adventure, science fiction,
using a series of • It usually has a problem that is historical fiction, fairy tales,
events and addressed and resolved. myths, legends, fables,
descriptions • May contain a message for the Plays, novels, short story, film.
reader.
Poetry To express feeling •Each poem has a series of steps • Sonnet
and reflections or moves. • Lyric verse
on experience, •May be structures in stanza or verses. • Song
people and events. •May take free-verse form • Jingle
•A range of devices are used to shape • Epic ballad
a poem.
•Features some sort of rhythm.
Type Purpose Characteristic Example
Review To summarize, • It describes how features (eg Commentary on a
analyses and characters, plot, language film, play, book, etc.
assess the features, humour, etc) may or
appeal of a novel, may not appeal
play or film, to
a broader
audience
Genre Type of writing Characteristic
Academic Scientific/empirical article, academic • It is objective.
(Scientific, essay, reading report, research paper, • It is commonly written in thirtd
technical,
empirial, et.c)
thesis, research project, journal person (it).
interview, monograph, conceptual
map, questionnaire, flow chart.