NARRATIVE KEY FEATURES
PURPOSE: to entertain and enthral; to allow escape form the humdrum
TEXT STRUCTURE
LANGUAGE FEATURES
Simple chronological
 Written in first or third person
 Beginning, middle and end
 Dialogue in differing tenses
 Opening (to include setting and
 Mainly past tense (some narratives,
character), problem, build up (key
especially oral texts use present
events), climax/complication,
tense in increase sense of
resolution, authorial comment.
immediacy/involvement)
 Verbs used to describe actions,
Other structures (more complex
thoughts and feelings
chronological)
 Figurative language – metaphor,
 Stories within stories (Badger’s
simile, personification
Parting Gifts)
 Literary effects – alliteration,
 Parallel plots
assonance, words that describe
 Multi plots (running parallel and
(adjectives, nouns and verbs), use of
touching at times (e.g. Eastenders)
passive verb form
 Circular structures ( e.g. Rosie’s
 Connectives that signal time (then,
Walk)
next, afterwards, just then, an hour
 Cyclical structures (stories told by
later etc.)
different characters, from different
 Connectives used to shift attention
perspectives, sometimes of the same
(at the very moment, meanwhile,
events)
previously etc.)
 Connectives used to inject suspense
(suddenly, without warning etc.)
 Mixture of short simple sentence
structures (for suspense, dramatic
impact etc.) and long complex
sentences (to move plot forward, to
add detail and description in a n
economical way,
COMMON FORMS OF NARRATIVE:
 Science fiction and fantasy (imaginary worlds)
 Mystery adventure
 Ghost story
 Historical story
 Myth, legend, fable
 Traditional story
EXPLANATION KEY FEATURES
PURPOSE: to explain how or why something happens
TEXT STRUCTURE
LANGUAGE FEATURES
 Title often asks a question or defies
 Present tense (the process is general)
the process to be explained
 Time connectives and other devices
 Text usually opens with general
to aid chronological structure
statement(s) to introduce the topic
 Casual connectives and other devices
 A series of logical steps explaining
demonstrating effect.
the process, usually in time order
 Often accompanied by diagram(s)
 Basic skeleton framework - a
flowchart
COMMON FORMS OF EXPLANATION TEXT
 Textbook
 Encyclopaedia entry
 Non-fiction book (e.g. geography, biology)
 Technical manual (e.g. for car, dishwasher)
 Question and answer articles and leaflets
 Write-up of science experiment
INSTRUCTIONAL KEY FEATURES
PURPOSE: to tell someone how to do or make something
TEXT STRUCTURE
LANGUAGE FEATURES
 Title or opening sets out what’s to be
 Usually written in imperative, present
achieved
tense (some instructions require third
 Starts with a list of items required
person narrative)
 Often accompanied by diagram(s)
 In time order (often numbered steps
 Sequenced steps in order to achieve
and/or time connectives)
the goal – what to do in time order
 Clear, concise language, e.g.
 Skeleton framework – a flowchart
adjectives and adverbs chosen for
clarity rather than vividness and
effect.
 The author addresses an anonymous
reader , not a named individual.
Common forms of instruction text
 Recipe
 Technical manual (e.g. for car, computer)
 Non-fiction book ( e.g. sports skills, art)
 Timetable, route finder
 List of rules
 Posters, notices, signs
 Sewing or knitting pattern
 Instructions on packaging (e.g. cooking or washing instructions)
RECOUNT KEY FEATURES
PURPOSE: to retell events (from either the point of view of someone who was there
or form an impersonal standpoint)
TEXT STRUCTURE
LANGUAGE FEATURES
 Orientation: setting the scene –
 Past tense
who, what, when, where?
 Time connectives and other devices
 Sequential organisation – what
to aid chronological structure
happened, in time order
 First person or third person writing
 Closing statement(s) – bringing the
 Focus on specific participants (named
writing to a satisfactory
individuals/groups)
conclusion
 Basic skeleton framework - a
timeline
COMMON FORMS OF PERSONAL RECOUNT







Letter
Autobiography
Diary or journal
Newspaper report
Magazine article
Write-up of trip or activity
Account of science experiment
COMMON FORMS OF IMPERSONAL RECOUNT







Non fiction book (e.g. history)
Biography
Magazine article
Newspaper report
Encyclopaedia entry
Obituary
Account of science experiment
DISCUSSION KEY FEATURES
Purpose: to present arguments and information from different viewpoints
Example: an answer to an essay question
Text structure
Language features
 Opens with a clear statement of the
 Generally present tense, third
issue under discussion
person
 One of two types of organisation:
 Formal impersonal style
Arguments for + supporting
 Logical language constructions and
information followed by arguments
connectives
against + supporting information
 Connectives/language constructions
Argument/ Counter –argument,
to show shifts from one point of
presented one point at a time
view to the other.
 Arguments supported by evidence
and /or examples
 Reader must be clear which side
argues which point
 Skeleton frame work - a for-andagainst grid.
COMMON FORMS OF DISCUSSION TEXT
 Newspaper editorial
 Non-fiction book on an ‘issue’
 Exam answer in secondary education
 Write- up of a debate
 Formal essay
 Leaflet or article giving balanced account of an issue.
PERSUASION KEY FEATURES
Purpose: to argue the case for a point of view
Example: an editorial from a spoof newspaper
Text structure
Language features
 Opening statement of the
 Present tense
case to be argued
 Usually generic participants
 Arguments, given in the form
 Logical language
of point plus elaboration
constructions and
 Elaboration may be evidence,
connectives
explanation, examples
 Persuasive devices, often
 Conclusion: reiteration of the
including emotive and
case and summary of the
rhetorical language.
points
 Skeleton frameworkpronged bullet points
Common forms of discussion text
 Advertisement
 Catalogue
 Travel brochure
 Pamphlet from pressure group
 Political manifesto
 Newspaper or magazine article
 Poster or flier
 Book blurb
 Letter to the editor or editorial
INFORMATION KEY FEATURES
Purpose: to describe the characteristics of something e.g. “Birds”, “Ancient Greece”
Example: an extract from a general encyclopaedia
Text structure
Language features
 Introductory information about
 Present tense (except historical
what is to be described: who, what,
reports)
when, where? (overall classification)
 Usually general nouns and pronouns
 Non-chronological organisation
(not particular people or things)
 Description organised according to
 Third person writing
categories or information
 Factual writing, often involving
 Skeleton framework- a spidergram
technical words and phrases.
COMMON FORMS OF INFORMATION WRITING
 Information leaflet
 School-project file
 Encyclopaedia entry
 Magazine article
 Non-fiction book
 Letter