TEXT TYPES IN ENGLISH

Mark Anderson & Kathy Anderson

2002
 LANGUAGE AND TEXT
Our ability to use spoken and written language makes us different to all other creatures on
Earth. Knowing a language allows us to communicate, to interact with others and to
understand our world.
We are not born with language. We have to learn how to use it and understand it so we
can gain meaning and communicate our messages to others. When we know a language, we
can make choices about the words we need to use and put these words together to create
meaning. Our knowledge of words and word patterns allow us to read, write, speak and listen
in a meaningful way.
Language, therefore, is a system of sounds (for speaking) and symbols (for writing)
which can be arranged in patterns to communicate meaning between those who know the
system.
Texts are pieces of written or spoken language created for a particular purpose. When
we speak or write, we create texts. When we listen, read or view texts, we interpret them for
meaning. A good piece of text requires the creator to make the right choices from the language
system; choices about words, sentences, processes and features. These choices will reflect our
purpose and context.
The purpose of a text might be to persuade or inform or a combination of both. The
context is influenced by our culture (beliefs, attitudes, values) and situation (what is
happening, who is involved and whether we are speaking or writing).
There are two main categories of text: literary and factual. Literary texts, such as
Aboriginal dreaming stories, movie scripts, plays, novels, song lyrics and soap operas, appeal to
our imagination and emotions. Factual texts, such as advertisements, announcements, recipes,
reports and Internet web sites, present information and ideas in order to show, tell or persuade
us.
 THE TEXT TYPES

Text can be divided into different text types. Each text

types has a typical structure that can be recognised by
users of our language system. Text types are used by
speakers and writers to communicate for a particular
purpose. Knowing how to identify and construct text
types, then, is the basis of literacy.
 LITERARY TEXTS
The category of literary text can be divided into three main text types: NARRATIVE, POETIC,
and DRAMATIC. When a speaker or writer makes judgements about any of these text types, a
response text is created.

The NARRATIVE text type tells a story using spoken or written language. It can be
communicated using radio, television, books, newspapers, and computer files. Pictures, facial
expressions and camera angles can also be used to help communicate meaning. Narratives are
also usually told by a story teller. This person gives his/her point of view to the audiences and
determines the order in which the event s of the story will be told.

POETIC text types express feelings and impressions of life. A poem can tell a story or
give the poet’s views of people and events. Poems can have common structures such as
rhyming the last word of lines or using a certain number of lines.

DRAMATIC text types use acting to communicate ideas and experiences. Dramas can
be spoken or written. They often use visuals such as facial expressions, costumes and sets to
help communicate meaning.

RESPONSE text types give a person’s response (judgement, opinions, reactions) to

another text such as a book, film or poem. The purpose of a response is to describe to the
audience the artistic work and provide a judgement about it.
 FACTUAL TEXTS
The main texts in this category are EXPLANATION, INFORMATION, REPORT,
DISCUSSION, EXPOSITION, RECOUNT, FACTUAL DESCRIPTION, PROCEDURE AND
PROCEDURAL RECOUNT.

An EXPLANATION tells how or why something occurs. Explanations can be

spoken or written and the purpose is to tell each step of the process ( THE HOW) and to
give reasons (THE WHY).

An INFORMATION report is a piece of text that presents information about a

subject. The purpose is to classify and/or describe using facts about the subject’s parts,
behaviour and qualities. The subject is usually a ‘general thing’, for example ‘skin’ rather
than a particular person’s skin.

A DISCUSSION gives the for and against, the positive and negative, or the good
and bad points. A discussion can be in oral or written form. The purpose of a discussion
is to present to the audiences different opinions on a topic and, at the end, your opinion.

An EXPOSITION is a piece of text that presents one side of an issue. The purpose
of an exposition is to persuade the reader or listener by presenting one side of an
argument, that is, the case ‘for’ or the case ‘against’.
 FACTUAL TEXTS
A RECOUNT is a piece of text that retells past events. Its purpose is to provide the
audience with a description of what occurred and when it occurred.

A FACTUAL DESCRIPTION describes a particular person, place or thing. Its

purpose is to ‘tell’ about the subject by describing its features without including personal
opinions. A factual description differs from an information report because it describes a
specific subject rather than a general group.

A PROCEDURE is a piece of text that tells how to do something. Its purpose is to

provide instructions for making something, doing something or getting somewhere.

A PROCEDURAL RECOUNT text retells, in sequential order, the steps taken to

achieve a goal. It is written after the procedure has been done. The purpose of a
procedural recount is to retell the steps taken which led to something happening.
 LEVELS OF GRAMMAR
Grammar is the rules in a language system for the use of words to create meaning. It is
about word patterns. Grammar operates on three levels in a piece of text. Knowing how
grammar operates allows us to identify and describe the use of words, sentences and
structures in a piece of text.

At the word level we need to have an understanding of vocabulary (the words in

a language that you know their meaning) and, when writing, spelling. It is important to
be able to describe the choice of words used by the creator of a piece of text.

At the sentence level the rules of grammar always apply. We need to understand
how sentences are structured so as to be meaningful.

At the text level we can examine the processes and features. This involves
looking at the purpose of the text, the structures used and how the text is organised.
A PROCEDURAL RECOUNT text retells, in a sequential order, the steps taken to
achieve a goal. It is written after the procedure has been done. The purpose of a
procedural recount is to retell the steps taken which led to something happening.
 What is a text?
When words are put together to communicate a meaning, a piece of text is
created. Texts consist of spoken or written words that have the purpose of
conveying a message.
Text is created by a speaker or writer. When constructing a piece of text
the speaker or writer makes choices about the words used and how these
words will be put together. The choice of words will depend on the purpose
and context (surroundings) of the text.
Text is interpreted by listeners or readers. Communication occurs when
the message created by speaker is successfully interpreted by the listener or
when a writer’s words are understood by the reader.
There are two main categories of text: literary and factual. Within these
are various text types. Each text type has a common structure.
 The text types
The text types represent the most common ways in which language is
structured to achieve a particular purpose. Writers and speakers use these
structures in order to help the reader or listener understand the text. The main
literary types are:
narratives poems dramas
These text types are used to tell us about human experiences, usually in
an imaginative way. Their purpose is to make readers and listeners think,
laugh, cry or be entertained. Visual elements (pictures, props, facial
expressions, etc.) can be employed by the narrator to help communicate
meaning.
Factual text types present information or ideas. The purpose of these
texts is to inform, instruct, educate or persuade the listener or reader. The
main factual text types are:
 explanation  recount
 information report  factual description
 discussion  procedure
 exposition  procedural recount
 The text types

Narrative Explanation Recount

Poetic Information report Factual description

Dramatic Discussion Procedure

Response Exposition Procedural recount