TEXT TYPES

Dra. Coral Ivy Hunt Gmez

coralhuntg@us.es
Despacho: 4.109

Universidad de Sevilla
2015-2016

1.

Descriptive
1.

2.

Informative
1.
2.

3.
4.

Narrative
Expository
Argumentative

Instructive
Persuasive

Descriptive
texts
Based on perception in space

Based on perception in space

Found in novels or short stories
Purpose: creating a vivid impression of a person,
place object
Used to create a particular mood, atmosphere

To describe a place

Useful for

Engaging readers attention

Creating characters
Setting a particular mood

Descriptive texts

Tells you what something is

like
The writer is trying to help
you imagine a person,
place or thing

Strong development of the

experience puts the reader
there
Aims to show the reader what
something/someone is like

Descriptive texts

Relies on precisely chosen vocabulary

Description of the five senses

Adjectives & adverbs

Focuses on key details, powerful verbs and
precise nouns
Look, sound, smell, touch & taste.

Comparisons

To help picture the scene

Descriptive texts
He was a big man with short straight hair,
brown teeth and a flat nose. A scar crossed
his right check from ear to chin.

Narrative texts

Based on perception in time

Telling a story- chronological order
Purpose- entertain

Train/ inform

Narrative
texts

Common structure:
story grammar

Setting (when & where)

Characters
Initiating event

Conflict

The focal point around the whole story is organized

Events

Action or occurrence that establishes a problem

One or more attempts by the main character(s) to achieve the

goal or solve the problem

Resolution

The outcome of the attempts to achieve the goal

Types of narrative texts

Imaginary, factual or a
combination of both

Narrative texts

Features

Characters with defined

personalities/identities
Dialogue often included
Descriptive language to create images in
the readers mind and enhance the story

Narrative Texts Structure

Orientation (introduction)

Complication /problem

Character, setting & time of the story are

established
Who? Where? When?

Usually involves the main character(s)

Resolution

Complication resolved for better or worse

happily or unhappily. Sometimes several
complications need to be resolved to add and
sustain interest and suspense.

Writing plan of
Narrative Texts

Plot what is going to happen?

Setting- Where? When?
Characterization- Who are the main characters?
How are they?
Structure: How will the story begin? What will be
the problem? How is it to be resolved?
Theme: Whats the message the writer is
attempting to communicate?

Informative/Expository Texts

Wants to advice or tell you about

something
Should give facts, information or
news

Clear, step-by-step way

Avoid repetition

Aims at explanation
Complex facts

Informative/Expository Texts

Newspaper
article
Website
A handout

Argumentative Texts

Based on the evaluation and

subjective judgment in answer to a
problem
Reasons advanced for or against

Instructive Texts

Tells you how to do something

Use
Commands
Verbs at the beginning of the sentence
Must & Must not
Diagrams
Pictures
Numbered or bullet points

Direct language without unnecessary words

Instructive Text Example

Bread & Butter Pudding
Cut

the bread into

small squares,
Arrange in layers and
sprinkle with sugar and
raisins.

Persuasive Texts

Tries to encourage you to

do something

Use
capital letters,
exclamation marks,
questions and
repeated words to catch your
attention

Use adjectives to make

something sound attractive

Persuasive Texts- Example

Enjoy an Enchanting Holiday
in the Maldives
Scattered across the Indian
Ocean lie islands with the
finest white sand beaches
and clearest crystal blue
waters. These are the
MALDIVES! Over 1,000 coral
islands.

Developing strategies for writing

a persuasive text

Create a persuasive text

Destination for a trip
How to write a text?
What must be included?
COMPETITION!