Descriptive: A descriptive text, in simple terms, may be defined as a piece of writing

which describes varied range of topics covering human (appearance,

characterization etc.), natural subjects, scenes, creative works, phenomena and
such. How vividly a reader shall be able to picturize a subject being describes, is
highly dependent upon the quality of the description by the writer. A descriptive
block in a text is easily identifiable from Action or Dialogue. It brings narrative
pause in a text.
Examples: Short stories, novels

Expository: Exposition means explanation. Thus, E.t. is a one which explains an

idea or develops a thought supported by facts, logical points, opinions etc. An e.t. is
usually considered to be a broad category which includes descriptive, narrative and
argumentative form of text.
Characteristics
1. Text is well structured with elements like definition, classification, description,
argument, illustration, examples etc. all being logically related.
2. Writer cares about accurate information.
3. E.t. strives to impart knowledge in readers for better understanding of the
principles behind a process or develop a clearer concept about a topic.
4. E.t. is authentic reference and source based and unbiased.
5. Purpose of e.t. is to inform and instruct.
Examples: Scientific research papers, biographies, travel guide etc.

Narrative: A narrative text is all about telling a story real or imaginary. Since it
accounts of some events or incidents, a n.t. enunciates the occurrence of it
sequentially.
Characteristics
1. A n.t. usually has a narrator (speaker) and a narratee (listener).
2. A n.t. may have descriptions and dialogues (ie it may be written in active
voice mode)
3. The narration of such a text can be either 1 st. 2nd (rarely) or 3rd. person based.
4. A n.t. can be informative, persuasive or entertaining.
5. A narrator may express his own views through such a text.
6. A n.t may give an idea of the culture of a land / region.
Examples: Fairy tales, ballads, legends, reported incidents etc.

Suggestive: A suggestive text is a composition that contains an implied meaning

behind the literal meaning of the written text. Hence, it is suggestive in nature as it
invokes a reader to delve in to explore the deep inner substance of the writing.
Characteristics
1. Adept use of tropes (rhetorics) is noticeable.
2. Such texts need connotation for better understanding
3. Scope of enjoying and appreciating the text is less unless its essentiality is
comprehended.
4. S.t. are thought provoking as the underlying meaning may ask for philosophic
insightfulness, broader periphery of knowledge or intellectual richness.
Examples: poems of T.S. Eliot, plays of Shakespeare etc.