Narrative –
Purpose - to construct a view of the world that entertains the reader, viewer or
listener. E.g. Novels, fairy tales, fiction stories etc.
Recount –
Purpose – to retell a series of events, usually in the order they occur. E.g. Newspapers,
conversations, speeches, TV interviews, letters etc.
Report –
Purpose – to classify, describe or to present information about the subject. E.g.
Textbooks, articles, lectures, research assignments etc.
Procedure –
Purpose – to instruct someone on how something is done. E.g. Recipes, instructions,
directions etc.
Explanation –
Purpose – to explain how or why something occurs. E.g. Common usage - How
something occurs; How something happens; How to solve a problem.
Exposition –
Purpose – to argue or persuade by presenting one side of an issue. E.g. Debates,
advertisements, editorials, legal defences, essays etc.
Discussion –
Purpose – to present differing opinions on a subject to the reader, viewer or listener.
E.g. Debates, news articles, current affairs, interviews, essays etc.
Response –
Purpose – to respond to an artistic work by providing a description of the work and a
judgement. E.g. Reviews of books, films songs and other texts, literary essays etc.
Constructing a narrative
The steps for constructing a narrative text are:
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an orientation (can be a paragraph, a picture or opening chapter) in which the
narrator tells the audience about who is in the story, when the story is taking
place and where the action is happening
a complication that sets off a chain of events that influences what will happen
in the story
a sequence of events where the characters react to the complication
a resolution in which the characters finally sort out the complication
a coda that provides a comment or moral based on what has been learned from
the story (an optional step).
Language features of a narrative
The language features usually found in a narrative are:
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specific characters
time words that connect events to tell when they occur
verbs to show the actions that occur in the story
descriptive words to portray the characters and settings.
Constructing a written recount
The recount text type retells past events, usually in the order in which they happened.
The steps for constructing a written recount are:
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a first paragraph that gives background' information about who, what, where
and when (called an orientation)
a series of paragraphs that retell the events in the order in which they
happened
a concluding paragraph (not always necessary).
Language features in a recount
The language features usually found in a recount are:
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proper nouns to identify those involved in the text
descriptive words to give details about who, what, when, where and how
the use of the past tense to retell the events t words that show the order of
events (for example, first, next, then).
Constructing an information report
The steps for constructing an information report are:
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a general opening statement that introduces the subject of the report—it can
include a short description and a definition
a series of paragraphs about the subject—usually a new paragraph describes
one feature of the subject and begins with a topic (or preview) sentence
a conclusion that summarises the information presented and signals the end of
the report.
Language features of an information report
The language features usually found in an information report are:
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technical language related to the subject
generalised terms
use of the timeless present tense.
Constructing a procedure text
The steps for constructing a procedure test are:
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an introductory statement that gives the aim or goal
a list of the materials that will he needed for completing the procedure
a sequence of steps in the order they need to be done.
Language features of a procedure text
The language features usually found in a procedure are:
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the use of technical language
sentences that begin with verbs and are stated as commands
the use of time words or numbers that tell the order for doing the procedure
the use of adverbs to tell how the action should be done.
Constructing a written explanation
The steps for constructing a written explanation are:
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a general statement about the event or thing
a series of paragraphs that tell the hows or whys
a concluding paragraph.
Language features in an explanation
The language features usually found in an explanation are:
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technical language
words that show cause and effect
use of the timeless present tense.
Constructing an exposition
The steps for constructing an exposition are:
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an introductory statement that gives the author's point of view and previews
the argument that will follow—in some texts, the opening statement may be
“attention grabbing”
a series of arguments that aim to convince the audience - pictures might also
be used to help persuade the audience
a conclusion that sums up the arguments and reinforces the author's point of
view.
Language features of an exposition
The langauge features usually found in an exposition text are:
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the use of words that show the author's attitude (modality)
the use of words that express feelings (emotive words)
the use of words to link cause and effect.
Constructing a written discussion
The steps for constructing a written discussion are:
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an introductory paragraph that has a statement or question about the topic
a series of paragraphs that give evidence, opinions or arguments for and
against the topic
a conclusion that gives a final point of view, either for or against the topic.
Language features in a discussion text
The language features usually found in a discussion text are:
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the use of generic terms related to the topic
the use of words that show a comparison or a contrast
the use of words that link arguments.
Constructing a response
The steps for constructing a response are:
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a paragraph that introduces the text being judged—this should contain
information on the title of the text, the name of the person who constructed it
(the author/artist), when it was constructed and a brief summary of the work
a description of the text that gives details about the orientation, complication,
sequence of events and resolution—this step may include other features of the
text
a judgement of the text that includes your opinions and maybe some
recommendations.
Language features of a response
The language features usually found in a response are:
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words that express judgements and the writer's attitudes (modality)
the use of the present tense
descriptive words.