MODUL SESSION 14

TYPES OF TEXT IN ENGLISH

Definition
Definition of Text
1. book or other written or printed work, regarded in terms of its content
rather than its physical form:"a text which explores pain and
grief"synonymswritten work, book, work, printed work, narrative

2. the main body of a book or other piece of writing, as distinct from other
material such as notes, appendices, and illustrations:"the pictures relate
well to the text"synonymswords, wording, subject
matter, content, contents are clear and, ... 
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The text classification may differ from one theory to another. Based on generic
structure and language feature dominantly used, English texts are divided into 13 types.
They are narrative, recount, descriptive, report, explanation, analytical exposition,
hortatory exposition, procedure, discussion, review, anecdote, spoof, and news
item.
These variations are known as GENRES, types of text, or kinds of text but NOT
text forms. Now we will see the summary of all kids of text.

Text Types 1: NARRATIVE

Narrative is an imaginary story that aims to entertain the reader. Of course the name of
the imaginary story is not necessarily its existence because it could be just an
imagination or a fictional story made by someone or a story made by a group of people
whose truth is not proven. Examples of narrative are Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella,
Snow White, Rabbit and Crocodile, etc.
 Purpose:
To amuse/entertain the readers and to tell a story
Generic Structure:
1. Orientation

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 2. Complication
3. Resolution
4. Reorientation (optional)
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Past Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Chronologically arranged
Narrative text can be simple a story. For more explanation you can read:

Example of Narrative Text

ROMEO AND JULIET’S ROMANTIC AND TRAGIC STORY
One day, In the town of Verona there lived two families, the Capulets and the
Montagues. They engaged in a bitter feud. Among the Montagues was Romeo, a hot-
blooded young man with an eye for the ladies. One day, Romeo attended the feast of the
Capulets', a costume party where he expected to meet his love, Rosaline, a haughty
beauty from a well-to-do family. Once there, however, Romeo's eyes felt upon Juliet, and
he thought of Rosaline no more.
The vision of Juliet had been invading his every thought. Unable to sleep, Romeo
returned late that night to the Juliet's bedroom window. There, he was surprised to find
Juliet on the balcony, professing her love for him and wishing that he were not a
"Montague", a name behind his own. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by
any other name would smell as sweet." Romeo was ready to deny his name and
professed his love. The two agreed to meet at nine o-clock the next morning to be
married.
Early the next morning, Romeo came to Friar Lawrence begging the friar to marry
him to Juliet. The Friar performed the ceremony, praying that the union might someday
put an end to the feud between the two families. He advised Romeo kept the marriage a
secret for a time.
On the way home, Romeo chanced upon his friend Mercutio arguing with Tybalt, a
member of the Capulet clan. That qurreling last caused Merquito died. Romeo was
reluctant no longer. He drew his sword and slew Tybalt died. Romeo realized he had
made a terrible mistake. Then Friar Lawrence advised Romeo to travel to Mantua until
things cool down. He promised to inform Juliet.
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In the other hand, Juliet's father had decided the time for her to marry with Paris. Juliet
consulted Friar Lawrence and made a plot to take a sleeping potion for Juliet which
would simulate death for three days. The plot proceeded according to the plan. Juliet
was sleeping in death.
Unfortunately, The Friar's letter failed to reach Romeo. Under the cover of darkness, he
broke into Juliet's tomb. Romeo kissed the lips of his Juliet one last time and drank the
poison. Meanwhile, the effects of the sleeping potion wear off. Juliet woke up calling for
Romeo. She found her love next to her but was lying dead, with a cup of poison in his
hand. She tried to kiss the poison from his lips, but failed. Then Juliet put out his dagger
and plunged it into her breast. She died.

Text Types 2: RECOUNT

Recount text is a text that telling the reader about one story, action or activity. Its goal is

to entertaining or informing the reader. Or, Recount is a text which retells event or

experiences in the past.

Purpose:
To retell something that happened in the past and to tell a series of past event
Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Event(s)
3. Reorientation
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Past Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Using adjective

Example of Recount Text:

Being Late
Last morning, Dinar, my roommate woke up late and she had to go to campus.
When she wanted to take her motorcycle, in fact she couldn’t move it because there
were some motorcycles that blocked up her motorcycle.
She tried to move all of the motorcycles, so that her motorcycle could move from
the garage. But she couldn’t do it.
Then, she called Adel who had that motorcycle which blocked it up. After that, her
friend who had that motorcycle helped her. Finally, she could move her motorcycle
and rode it to go to campus.

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Text Types 3: DESCRIPTIVE

Text Types 3: DESCRIPTIVE

DESCRIPTIVE
Definition: 
Descriptive text is a text to describe a particular place/ thing/ person

Generic Structure:
•  Identification (mention the special participant)
• Description (mention the part, quality, and characteristics of subject being
described)
Language Features:
The use of adjectives and compound adjectives.
Example:  Descriptive Text
Wakatobi

(Identification)
Wakatobi is the name of an archipelago and regency in Sulawesi Tenggara, Indonesia.
The name of Wakatobi is derived from the names of the main islands in the archipelago:
Wangiwangi, Kaledupa, Tomea, and Binangko. Do you know what? It is the best diving
sites ever.

(Description)
There are many reasons why I call Wakatobi as the best diving sites ever. First, the reefs
in Wakatobi diving are unlike others in the region because of the dry climate and uplifted
limestone. This means Wakatobi is an exceptionally clean environment due to the lack of
soil erosion. Second, being a national park, fishing is strictly limited and the reefs of
Wakatobi are protected. These superb reefs are supported and protected by the local
fishing communities who obtain a fair share of the income generated by Wakatobi dive
tourism in exchange for adopting more sustainable practices, such as leaving large
stretches of reef completely untouched. Third, Wakatobi is located at the world’s coral
reef triangle center with its 942 fish species and 750 coral reef species from a total of 850
world’s collection comparing to the two world’s famous diving center of the Caribbean
Sea that owes only 50 species and other 300 species in the red sea.

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Text Types 4: REPORT
There are many students who sometimes confuse Because, report text is similar to the
descriptive text. Report text is a text that describes something in general. Every text has
a communicative purpose. Communicative purpose of report text is to present
information about something in general.

Purpose:
To presents information about something, as it is.
Generic Structure:
1. General classification
2. Description
Dominant Language Feature:
1. Introducing group or general aspect
2. Using conditional logical connection
3. Using Simple Present Tense
Example of report text with title ‘School’:

School’:
School is a building for children who want to study. School is an institution for
formal education and designed for the teaching of students or pupils under the
supervision from the educators or teachers. At school, students can learn anything, for
example, mathematics, English, science, social, physics, biology, and art. Students go to
school in the morning and start their lessons at 07.30 o’clock. They have ninety minutes
for every subject that they studied. At school, students can interact with their friend, make
relationship and students are also educated to become a better person and expected to
have a good personality. A student may not come late or truant the school. If students do
those things it can be assumed as an offense and students can be punished.
There are so many rules at school that cannot be broken and must be followed by
all students. School usually have many classrooms. Besides that, there are library,
mosque, and canteen for lunch, teacher’s office, field for sports and etc. School has to be
a comfort and pleasure place for students because students will spend most of their time
at school.

Text Types 5: EXPLANATION

Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific
and cultural phenomena. Explanation text is to say ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the forming of the
phenomena. It is often found in science, geography and history text books.
Purpose:

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 To explain the processes involved in the formation or working of natural or socio-
cultural phenomena.
Generic Structure:
1. General statement
2. Explanation
3. Closing
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Using action verbs
3. Using passive voice
4. Using noun phrase
5. Using adverbial phrase
6. Using technical terms
7. Using general and abstract noun
8. Using conjunction of time and cause-effect
Example of Explanation Text
How does Rain Happen?
Rain is the primary source of fresh water for most areas of the world, providing
suitable conditions for diverse ecosystems, as well as water for hydroelectric power
plants and crop irrigation.
The phenomenon of rain is actually a water circle. The concept of the water cycle
involves the sun heating the Earth’s surface water and causing the surface water to
evaporate. The water vapor rises into the Earth’s atmosphere. The water in the
atmosphere cools and condenses into liquid droplets. The droplets grow until they are
heavy and fall to the earth as precipitation which can be in the form of rain or snow.
However, not all rain reaches the surface. Some evaporates while falling through
dry air. This is called virga, a phenomenon which is often seen in hot, dry desert regions.

Text Types 6: ANALYTICAL EXPOSITION

Analytical Exposition is a text that elaborates the writer‘s idea about the phenomenon
surrounding. Its social function is to persuade the reader that the idea is important
matter, and to analyze the topic that the thesis/opinion is correct by developing an
argument to support it.
Purpose:

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 To reveal the readers that something is the important case
Generic Structure:
1. Thesis
2. Arguments
3. Reiteration/Conclusion
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using modals
2. Using action verbs
3. Using thinking verbs
4. Using adverbs
5. Using adjective
6. Using technical terms
7. Using general and abstract noun
8. Using connectives/transition
Example of Analytical Exposition Text
Controlling Children Using Computer
Computer and internet are useful as well as powerful. Information about health
and safe usage of computer and Internet, especially for children, should be owned
by each family. Computer connected to internet is powerful way to socialize with
others. It can be good but also bad effect. Recently we hear a lot of children get the
advantage of social networking sites but we often see the news about the
disadvantage of it for children. Healthy and safety of computer and Internet usage
should continue to be campaigned.
The role of parent in assisting and directing children in using computer is very
necessary. Installation of software monitor such as key logger which has function to
watch and note all activities relating to keyboard usage is helpful but not enough to
protect children from potential harms. Children tend to hide what they have done in
front of the computer to their parent. They see that all of they have done are their
privacy and no one may know.
We can not prevent children from using computer because it is multifunctional.
However, many parents worry about what their kids do in front of the computer;
whether they are doing homework or even just playing games. Or spending all time
to surf internet which is the materials do not fit with his age. There is a tendency,
especially teenagers, want to become acquainted with many strangers out side.
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 The lack parental supervision of children’s activities is likely to pose a potential
danger to them. So parental monitor against the use of computers needs to be
done from time to time.

Text Types 7: HORTATORY EXPOSITION

As Analytical Exposition Text, Hortatory Exposition Text is a kind of English text that
belongs to the argumentative text . Hortatory Exposition is a type of English text which
represents the author’s attempt to influence the reader to do something or act in a
particular way. In Hortatory Exposition Text, the authors give some opinions about
certain things to reinforce the main idea of the text.
Purpose:
To persuade the readers that something should or should not be the case or be
done
Generic Structure:
1. Thesis
2. Arguments
3. Recommendation
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Using modals
3. Using action verbs
4. Using thinking verbs
5. Using adverbs
6. Using adjective
7. Using technical terms
8. Using general and abstract noun
9. Using connectives/transition
Example of Hortatory Exposition
The Importance of Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are non-subject education activities and counseling
services to assist the development of learners according to their needs, potentials,
talents, and interests through activities that are specifically organized by educators
and / or educational personnel who are capable and authorized in the school.

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 Extracurricular is highly recommended to be followed by each students because it
has a lot of benefits.
The benefits of extracurricular activities are numerous. Students can get
useful knowledge. In any selected extra-curricular activities, there are certainly
basic knowledge. For example, English Club extracurricular where students can
learn the grammar properly and correctly. Another example is forming school
bands, it can explore students talent in music so their talents are not buried.
Through extracurricular students can cultivate a sportive spirit in various
competitions (eg; basketball or football) whether it is held internally in school or
outside the schools. Extra curricular can also teach the students the meaning of
organization, eventhough on a small scale. In that organization, students can learn
to be leaders, administrators, or even learn to make an interesting event in an
extracurricular exhibition and many more positive things that students can gain by
following extracurricular activities.
In order to develop students’ interests and talents, they can choose any
extracurricular which suits their ability. However, do not forget to manage the time
between academic activities and extracurricular activities.

Then what is the basic difference between analytical and hortatory exposition. In
simple word. Analytical is the answer of “How is/will” while hortatory is the answer
of “How should”. Analytical exposition will be best to describe “How will student do
for his examination? The point is the important thing to do. But for the question”
How should student do for his exam?” will be good to be answered with hortatory. It
is to convince that the thing should be done.

Text Types 8: PROCEDURE

There are three definition about procedure text : (1)Texts that explain how something
works or how to use instruction / operation manuals e.g. how to use the video, the
computer, the tape recorder, the photocopier, the fax. (2) Texts that instruct how to do a
particular activity e.g. recipes, rules for games, science experiments, road safety rules.
(3) Texts that deal with human behavior, e.g how to live happily, how to succeed.

Purpose:
To help readers how to do or make something completely

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Generic Structure:
1. Goal/Aim
2. Materials/Equipments
3. Steps/Methods
Features:Dominant Language
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Using Imperatives sentence
3. Using adverb
4. Using technical terms

Examples of Procedure Text

HOW TO MAKE A CUP Of COFFEE

MATERIALS AND INGEDIENTS :

– 2 spoons of sugar
– one spoon of coffee powder
– hot water
– a cup
– aspoon

PROCEDURE :
1. Prepare two spoons of sugar, a cup, hot water, one spoon of coffee powder, a spoon.
2. Put one spoon of coffee powder into the cup.
3. Pour some hot water into the cup.
4. Add 2 spoons of sugar into a cup of coffee
5. Stir it well and the hot coffee is ready to drink

Text tyeps 9: DISCUSSION

Discussion text is defined as a text to present a problematic discourse. The problem will
be discussed from different viewpoints. The are some supporting arguments as well as
against arguments. A discussion text is commonly found in philosophical, historic, and
social writing.

Purpose:
To present information and opinions about issues in more one side of an issue
(‘For/Pros’ and ‘Against/Cons’)
Generic Structure:
1. Issue

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 2. Arguments for and against
3. Conclusion
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Use of relating verb/to be
3. Using thinking verb
4. Using general and abstract noun
5. Using conjunction/transition
6. Using modality
7. Using adverb of manner
Examples of Discussion Text
Nuclear Energy : Advantage Or Disadvantage
Nuclear energy is commonly offered as an alternative to overcome the crisis of
energy. The debate whether the use of nuclear energy is an appropriate choice or not,
has not come to an end. Some people agree with the utilization of it because of its
benefits. Some others, however, disagree because of its risks to the environment.
Those who agree with the operation of nuclear reactors usually argue that nuclear
energy is the only feasible choice to answer the ever – increasing energy needs. In their
opinion, the other sources of energy: oil, coal, and liquid natural gas are not renewable
and safe, while nuclear energy can be sustainable when produced in a safe way.
However, people who disagree with the use of nuclear energy point out that the
waste of nuclear products can completely destroy the environment and human lives. A
meltdown in reactor, for example, usually results in the contamination of the surroundings
soil and water. Take for example, the blow up of the nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl
Nuclear Power Station in Russia twenty years ago. The serious contamination imperiled
people and the environment severely.
It is obvious that nuclear energy should be avoided because it really endangers
the environment but what about a less polluted energy instead of nuclear energy. Is there
any alternative energy to overcome the crisis of energy? In my opinion, nuclear energy is
the best choice to overcome the crisis of energy. However, government should make
sure that nuclear reactor’s construction and maintains are safe.

Text Types 10: REVIEW

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Review text is an evaluation of a publication, such as a movie, video game, musical
composition, book; a piece of hardware like a car, home appliance, or computer; or an
event or performance, such as a live music concert, a play, musical theatre show or
dance show.
Purpose:
To critique or evaluate an art work or event for a public audience
Dominant Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Evaluation
3. Interpretative Recount
4. Evaluation
5. Evaluative Summation
Dominant Language Features:
1. Focus on specific participants
2. Using adjectives
3. Using long and complex clauses
4. Using metaphor
Example of Review Text
“Love You Like a Love Song” by Selena Gomez
“Love You Like a Love Song” is single from one of Disney’s shining stars, Selena
Gomez. The youngs who love this young singer/actress will like this song.
Gomez isn’t known for having a super-strong voice or the most original arrangements,
but she deserves props for this song, which mercifully tones down the standard synth-
pop noise and kicks the vocal performance up a notch.
The end result sounds a bit more creative and mature than the rest of the bubblegum-
pop pack. Selena’s music is always great, and her voice sounds great especially in the
bridge.
In the past century people seem to believe that a love song for pop has to be acoustic
with guitars, and love songs for Rap/Hip-Hop have to sound the same.
This doesn’t seem to bother Rihanna, Lady GaGa, and now Selena Gomez. To be
honest in the past century “Love You Like A Love Song” has been the most original love
song in years.
Monotune was perfectly done here, and the Autotune was good layered, Autotune is not
just robotic Beyonce and Rihanna use it to .
Must original love song and just song in years. Its about loving someone like a love song
its gonna use love song cliches.

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Text Types 11: ANECDOTE
Anecdote is a text which retells funny and unusual incidents in fact or imagination. Its
purpose is to entertain the readers. (Text that retells odd or unusual events both facts
and imaginations)
Purpose:
To share with others an account of an unusual or amusing incident
Generic Structure:
1. Abstract
2. Orientation
3. Crisis
4. Reaction
5. Coda.
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using exclamations, rhetorical question or intensifiers
2. Using material process
3. Using temporal conjunctions
Example of Anecdote Text
A Blessing behind Tragedy
There was a black family in Scotland years ago. They were Clark family with nine
children. They had a dream to go to America. The family worked and saved. They were making
plan to travel with their children to America. It had taken several years but finally they had saved
enough money. They had gotten passport. They had booked seats for the whole family member
in a new liner to America.
The entire family was full of anticipation and excitement with their new life in America.
However few days before their departure, the youngest son was bitten by a dog. The doctor
sewed up the boy. Because of the possibility of getting rabies, there were being quarantined for
long days. They were in quarantine when the departure time came. The family dreams were
dashed. They could not make the trip to America as they had planned. The father was full of
disappointed and anger. He stomped the dock to watch the ship leaved without him and his
family. He shed tears of disappointment. He cursed both his son and God for the misfortune.
Five days latter, the tragic news spread throughout Scotland. The ship, the mighty Titanic,
had shank. It took hundreds of passenger and crew with it. Titanic which had been called the
unsinkable ship had sunk. It was unbelievable but it was.

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 The Clak family should have been on that ship, but because of the bitten son by a dog,
they were left behind. When the father heard the news, he hugged the son and thanked him for
saving the family. He thanked God for saving their lives. It was a blessing behind a tragedy.

Text Types 12: SPOOF

Many writers interpret Spoof Text as below :
“Spoof is a text which tells a factual story, happened in the past time with unpredictable
and funny ending”.

Or, “Spoof is a type of story which have has twist (funny part in the end of the story). It
contains an unpredictable event which makes the story funny”.

So it usually contains funny story, funny word games or it could be a combination of both.
Then what is the difference with the Anecdote text? The difference is Spoof Text usually
tells a personal experience whereas anecdote does not.

Purpose:
To tell an event with a humorous twist and entertain the readers
Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Event(s)
3. Twist
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Past Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Using adverb
4. Chronologically arranged
Example of Spoof Text
Nasreddin’s Coat
One day Nasreddin had been invited to the dinner party. He went to the party
by wearing old clothes.
When he arrived in the party, nobody looked at him and nobody gave him a seat.
He got no food in the party so he went home and change his clothes
Next he put on his best clothes. He wore his newest coat and went to the party
again. The host at once got up and came to meet him. The host offered him the
best table and gave him a good seat and served him the best food
Nasreddin sat and put off his coat. He put his coat and said; “Eat the food,
Coat!” the hosts and guests were very surprised and asked Nareddin; “What are
doing?” Nasreddin replied calmly; “When I came here with my old clothes, nobody
looked at me. Then I went home and put on my best clothes. I came back in my

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 newest coat and you all give me this best food and drink. So, you give food to my
coat instead of me”. Getting Nasreddin’s answer, they just shook the head.

Text Tyeps 13: NEWS ITEM

News item is a text which informs readers about events of the day. The events are
considered newsworthy or important.

It means if there is an important event that should be known by many people, then this
event deserves news. Well, the news text is called the news item text. However, if there
are events that people do not deserve, then they are not definitely worth to be new

Purpose:
To inform readers about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or
important
Dominant Generic Structure:
1. Newsworthy event
2. Background events
3. Sources
Dominant Language Features:
1. Short, telegraphic information about story captured in headline
2. Using action verbs
3. Using saying verbs
4. Using adverbs : time, place and manner

Example of News Item

Town Contaminated
Moscow – A Russian journalist has uncovered evidence of another soviet
nuclear catastrophe, which killed 10 sailors and contaminated an entire town.
Yelena Vazrshavskya is the first journalist to speak to people who witnessed
the explosion of a nuclear submarie at the naval base of Shkotovo- 22 near
Vladivostok. The accident which occurred 13 months before the Chernobyl disaster,
spread radioactive fall out over the base and nearby town, but was covered up by
officials of the Soviet Union. Residents were told the explosion in the reactor of the
Victor-class submarine during a refit had been a ‘thermal’ and not a nuclear
explosion. And those involved in the clean up operation to remove more than 600
tones of contaminated material were sworn to secrecy.
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 A board of investigators was later to describe it as the worst accident in the
history of the Soviet Navy.

This is the summary of all types of text for learning English . Remember that these
text types are classified but it is impossible to build a long text in English only
through one single type. In functional writing, a text will be structured with a
combination of two or more genres to achieve the writer’s goal.

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