TYPES OF TEXTS A Complete Overview

Source: http://understandingtext.blogspot.com/2008/03/text-types-complete-overview.html

Based on generic structure and language feature dominantly used, texts are divided into several 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.

Text Types Summary

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Narrative Recount Procedure Report Analytical Exposition Explanation Discussion Descriptive News item Hortatory Anecdote Spoof Review

NARRATIVE
Purpose: To amuse/entertain the readers and to tell a story. Generic Structure: 1. Orientation 2. Complication 3. Resolution 4. Reorientation Dominant Language Features: 1. Using Past Tense 2. Using action verb 3. Chronologically arranged

Example of Narrative Text: "The Story of Lake Toba"

Once upon a time, there was a man who was living in North Sumatra. He lived in a simple hut in a farming field. He did some gardening and fishing for his daily life. One day, while the man was doing fishing, he caught a big golden fish in his trap. It was the biggest catch which he ever had in his life. Surprisingly, this fish turned into a beautiful princess. He felt in love with her and proposed her to be his wife. She said; "Yes, but you have to promise not to tell anyone about the secret that I was once a fish, otherwise there will be a huge disaster". The man made the deal and they got married, lived happily and had a daughter. 1

Few years later, this daughter would help bringing lunch to her father out in the fields. One day, his daughter was so hungry and she ate his father s lunch. Unfortunately, he found out and got furious, and shouted; You damned daughter of a fish . The daughter ran home and asked her mother. The mother started crying, felt sad that her husband had broken his promise. Then she told her daughter to run up the hills because a huge disaster was about to come. When her daughter left, she prayed. Soon there was a big earthquake followed by non-stop pouring rain. The whole area got flooded and became Toba Lake. She turned into a fish again and the man became the island of Samosir.

RECOUNT
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 adjectives Narrative and recount in some ways are similar. Both are telling something in the past; so, narrative and recount usually apply PAST TENSE; whether Simple Past Tense, Simple Past Continuous Tense, or Past Perfect Tense. The ways narrative and recount told are in chronological order using time or place. Commonly narrative text is found in story books; myth, fable, folklore, etc ., while recount text is found in biographies. The thing that makes narrative and recount different is the structure in which they are constructed. Narrative uses conflicts among the participants whether natural conflicts, social conflicts or psychological conflicts. In some ways narrative text combines all these conflicts. In the contrary, we do not find these conflicts inside recount text. Recount applies series of event as the basic structure. Recount text is commonly labeled as non-fiction writing. It is one of kind text genres, beside of narrative, spoof and others. Recount text can be a found in many ways to write a biography.

Example of recount text: Short Biography of Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was born near the end of the 1800s in Ulf, Germany. He graduated from the University of Zurich in Switzerland at age 26. That was also when he did his famous work in physics. Fourteen years later he won the Nobel Prize for Physics. For the next ten years he lived in Germany and traveled a lot to talk to other scientists. Then in the early 1930s he had to leave Germany because of Hitler and the Nazi party. He moved to the United States. From that time until his death he lived in Princeton, New Jersey. He died at the age of 74.

DESCRIPTIVE
Purpose : to describe a particular person, place or thing in detail. Dominant Generic Structure: 1. Identification 2. Description Language Features: 1. Using Simple Present Tense 2. Using action verb 3. Using adverb 4. Using special technical terms Commonly a descriptive text will describe a particular thing, place, or someone. A descriptive text is structured with general identification and followed by detail description. In Identification paragraph, descriptive text will explore to answer the question of who, what when and where. The detail description will include a description to answer how it looks, where it is sees, what it does, and what it make it special.

Example of Short Descriptive Text about Jakarta

Jakarta is located on the northwest coast of Java Island, at the mouth of the Ciliwung river. It dominates Indonesian s administrative, economy, cultural activities, and is a major commercial and transportation hub within Asia. The climate is hot and humid. Rainfall occurs throughout the year. The heaviest rainfall is from November to May. The city lies on a flat, low plain and is likely to be affected by flood during period of heavy rainfall.

REPORT
Purpose : to present 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 A report text can be very similar to a descriptive text. However, they can be distinguished easily from the object which is discussed. A report text commonly describes things in general while descriptive text tends to explain the characterization of a specific thing. Bellow is simple example of report text

Simple and Clear Example of Report Text "Football"

Football is a game played by two teams of eleven. They try to score by kicking or heading the ball into the other team s goal. Ten of the players can not use their hands. The goal keeper can handle the ball to stop it going into the goal. Games similar to football have been played for many centuries. The rules of the games were written down in 1863. In England, the FA ( Football Association ) cup was first played for in 1872. In the same year, England played Scotland in the first game. Today the most important International Competition is the World Cup which takes place in every four years. Brazil and Italy have each won the world cup three times.

EXPLANATION
Purpose: 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. Sample of Explanation: Contoh Explanation Text tentang Venus Eclipse How Venus eclipse happens is best given to an example of explanation texts. Explanation text is compose to describe how something forms and why something exists and happens. What is an explanation text and how is the explanation text composed? Explanation text is structured by the generic level of general statement and followed with sequenced explanation. To have clear understanding on the explanation text, let's see the following example of explanation text!

How Venus Eclipse Happens On May 16, 2010, people in most regions in the world have seen a very rare natural phenomenon. It was Venus eclipse. It was very rare amazing natural event. It was reported that the Venus eclipse will seen again in the future in 2050. Do you know how this rare Venus eclipse happens?

Well, actually Venus eclipse is like Sun eclipse. Venus eclipses occurs when the position of the earth, moon and Venus is parallel. Venus planet will slowly disappear for a moment because it is covered the surface of the Moon. Venus planet seems to move to the back side of the Moon. The moon and planets are sharing a similar apparent path in the sky. That is why, it is not unusual for the moon to appear to pass close to Venus. In fact, the moon appears somewhere near it about once a month. However, most people don t see these events because they are visible in the evening sky only half the time, and then only for a short period after sunset. The apparent closeness varies from month to month as well. Note: This example of explanation text about how Venus eclipse happens is arranged from berandajiwa.info and earthsky.org

ANALYTICAL EXPOSITION Purpose: 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: The Power of Music in our life Do you agree that music is important in our life? Yes I do, music has certain role completing our day to day activities. Here are some reasons why music is heard everywhere and anywhere. Music is a way to express feelings. When we fall in love, the kind of music we d listen to would be all about love. When we re sad, we would go for music that is melancholic in nature and immerse ourselves in the sadness. When we re happy, we d choose songs with happy tunes too. Song can help to memorize the last experiences. A favorite song is a powerful documentary. People with Alzheimer which are impaired the brain would remember details about songs they were familiar with. For example, an elderly woman who couldn t even remember her husband s name would remember the details of her favorite song; when it was played, how it made her feel and things about the song that made it especially memorable for her. 5

Further, music can unite people for a cause and changes the world. A song with good lyric and striking deep chord can stimulate the universal feeling of all people. We can see it in the case of the famous and legendary Michael Jacson's Heal the World. It can arouse humanism of a lot people in this world. So what would the world be like without music? It would be lonely.

HORTATORY EXPOSITION 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 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 Sample of Hortatory: Example of Hortatory Exposition in "Online Job"

Online jobs are selected in part-time employment for many, and some have taken more seriously. A growing number of people are willing to take a job online. Working online has its advantages if we manage efectively. Why not? It offers flexibility and convenience that no other job can give. We can work from home with minimal investment and get a good income. The idea of adding weight to our pocket and makes life easier and comfortable is the most reassuring. The reason behind this great opportunity is that every day there are new companies to join. Every day and every minute men are seeking information aboute verything under the sky of the Internet. As we know, the Internet is the answer to every question, web sites need to update each section and also add reports on developments that have recently joined. Therefore, it is an expansive space for articles. There are a number of jobs we can work online. Some of them which strongly recommeded are writing, marketing, stock trading, and online education. However we should be very careful because scamming opportunities are always there. Read the other examples:

PROCEDURE Purpose: to help readers how to do or make something completely Generic Structure: 1. Goal/Aim 2. Materials/Equipments 3. Steps/Methods Dominant Language Features: 1. Using Simple Present Tense 2. Using Imperatives sentence 3. Using adverb 4. Using technical terms Sample of Procedure: Planting Chilies; a procedure text Planting is a nice activity in our spare time. The following is guided information on how to plant a chili-plant easily. Here are the steps.

Firstly, dry a handful seeding under the sunlight Secondly, put the seeding on the soil. It should be in open area Next, wait it. There will come out the sprout after that let it be bigger. Finally, put it in another big pot. It will soon grow bigger and bigger and yield us some fresh chilies soon.

Analyzing the Text Generic Structure Analysis Goal; informing on how to plant chillies. Material; excluded Steps; showing the steps or method in planting chillies; from drying seed to putting the sprout in big pot.

language Feature Analysis Imperative sentences; dry a handful seeding, put it, etc Action verb; put, dry, etc Temporal conjunction; next, finally, firstly, secondly Simple present tense pattern; planting is a nice activity, the following is a guided information Read the other examples:

DISCUSSION Purpose: to present information and opinions about issues in more one side of an issue ( For/Pros and Against/Cons ) Generic Structure: 1. Issue 2. Arguments for and against 3. Conclusion Dominant Language Features: 1. Using Simple Present Tense 8

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 Example:

National exam becomes the hot topic in most of discussions. Though the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the go-vernment on the organization of the national exams, the controversy over whether it is necessary to maintain the national exams (UN) has continued. Some debates include the primary questions such as; does the quality of Indonesia education depend on the national exam?, will the quality of the Indonesian education system worsen without natipnal exam? People, who support the national exam explain that the quality of the Indonesia education system will drop without the national exam, so they try to defend the current system. Hoever there are people who disagree with the opinion. Those who against this national exam kept in our high school education say that it doesn't need the national exams because the quality of education does not just depend on the national exam. Further, the national exam only measures a small portion of students' competence in specific subjects, and does not measure students' competences throughout the semester. In fact, the national examination can still be useful as an instrument to evaluate or detect the level of students' cognitive competence in several subjects, on a national scale.
Arranged from: www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/19/quality-education-and-national-exams.html

REVIEW 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 9

2. Using adjectives 3. Using long and complex clauses 4. Using metaphor Sample of Review: Example of Review Text in 2012 Movie 2012 Film Review 2012 is Roland Emmerich's film which uses the Mayan calendar and other end-of-days prophecies for their doomsday scenario. It imagines the world coming to an end in 2012.

2012 film brings off a series of wonders. The movie hits its peak early on. It starts when Cusack drives a limo through the streets of Los Angeles as freeways and skyscrapers crumble all around him from the shock of a 10.5 earthquake. The preposterous flying sequence is equally thrilling. The climax occurs aboard the giant ark, when an equipment malfunction almost threatens the entire mission.

Unfortunately, the crucial sequence is not filmed or edited with the requisite clarity. In 2012 film, Emmerich leaves us befuddled as to exactly what is happening to whom. However, Emmerich' 2012 deserves credit for offbeat casting. Cusack supplies his trademark hangdog charm. McCarthy has perhaps his best role ever as Peet's cocky. Danny Glover lends dignity to the role of the tormented president. Chiwetel Ejiofor, as the chief scientist, brings a moving sense of anguish to a stock role. Platt has fun playing the villain of the piece, and Woody Harrelson also chews the scenery as a bugeyed radio prophet trying to warn his listeners about Armageddon.

All in one, 2012's cinematography, production design and visual effects are awards-worthy. Music also propels the movie. It presents American Idol runner-up, Adam Lambert, who provides a rousing anthem over the end credits. Simplified from: www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/2012-film-review-1004041300.story

ANECDOTE Purpose: to share with others an account of an unusual or amusing incident Generic Structure: 1. Abstract 10

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 Sample of Anecdote: Contoh Text Anecdote SNAKE IN THE BATHROOM It is bit difficult to find out some examples of anecdote text. Most texts available over the Internet which are labeled as anecdote just referring to funny story. Meanwhile, in term of text type or text genres, anecdote text is separated to spoof which has main element of funny thing. Actually the point of anecdote is the CODA (hikma), what do the participants learn from the series of event in the story. The following text is good example of anecdote. Take a look!

Snake in the Bathroom How would you like to find a snake in you bath? We had just moved into a new house, which had been empty for so long that everything was in a terrible mess. Anna and I decided that we would clean the bath first, so we set to, and turned on the tap. Suddenly to my horror, a snake's head appeared in the plug hole. Then out slithered the rest of his long thin body. He twisted and turned on the slippery bottom of the bath, spitting and hissing at us. For an instant I stood there quite paralyzed. Then I yelled for my husband, who luckily came running and killed the snake with the handle of a broom. Anna, who was only three at the time, was quite interested in the whole business. Indeed I had to pull her out of the way or she'd probably have lean over the bath to get a better look. We found out later that it was a black mamba, a poisonous kind of snake. It had obviously been fast asleep, curled up at the bottom of the nice warm water-pipe. It must have had an awful shock when the cold water came trickling down! But nothing to the shock I got! Ever since then I've always put the plug in firmly before running the bath water

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SPOOF 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 Sample of Spoof: xample of Spoof "What Time is It?" Reading a spoof text can be very interesting as it has an unpredictable plot of the story. There will be a tricky "arrangement". As we build understanding of the plot to certain condition, a spoof text will be ended with a special contradictory ending. Bellow is another example of spoof text.

What time is it? A tramp lie down and sleep in the park. He had been sleeping for about 5 minutes when a couple walked by. The man stopped, woke the tramp up , and asked him, "Excuse me. Do you know what the time is?" The tramp replied, "I'm sorry - I don't have a watch, so I don't know the time." The man apologized for waking the tramp and the couple walked away.

The tramp lay down again, and after a few minutes went back to sleep. Just then, a woman, who was out walking her dog, shook the tramp's shoulder until he woke up again. The woman said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, but I'm afraid I've lost my watch - do you happen to know the time?" The tramp was a little annoyed at being woken up again, but he politely told the woman that he didn't have a watch and didn't know the time.

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After the woman had gone, the tramp had an idea. He opened the bag that contained all his possessions and got out a pen, a piece of paper and some string. On the paper, he wrote down, 'I do not have a watch. I do not know the time'. He then hung the paper round his neck and eventually dropped off again.

After about 15 minutes, a policeman who was walking through the park noticed the tramp asleep on the bench, and the sign around his neck. He woke the tramp up and said, "I read your sign. I thought you'd like to know that it's 2:30 p.m."

NEWS ITEM Purpose: to inform readers about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or important Dominant Generic Structure: 1. Newsworthy event(s) 2. Background event(s) 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.

Sample of news item: "Two Tibetan Monks Receive Prison Terms" A News Item Text News items text is a text which tells the daily newsworthy. It has generic structure of NEWSWORTHY EVENT, BACKGROUND EVENT, and SOURCES, To see the implementation of this structure, see the following news item passage.

Two Tibetan Monks Sentenced to Prison

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A Chinese court sentenced two more Tibetan monks to long prison terms on Tuesday, accusing them of intentional homicide in the death of another monk, who immolated himself last March, according to Xinhua.

The court sentenced Tsering Tenzin and Tenchum of the Kirt Monastery in the Tibetan area of Sichuan Province to 13 and 10 years in prison, respectively. On Monday, the same court found a 46year-old monk, Drongdru, guilty of intentional homicide in the death of the monk, a 16-year-old who was his nephew and disciple.

Prosecutors said that after the teenager immolated himself, the three monks hid him and delayed emergency treatment. Human rights groups said the teenage monk was protesting government policies in Tibet.

This News Item Text sample is taken from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/world/asia/01briefs-China.html

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