1. Home
  2. Information Services
  3. Assignment Assistance
  4. Text Types

Text Types

Before we start to write we need to be clear about the purpose of our writing. Writing for a specific purpose has its own particular language and structure or ‘text type'. Below is an outline of the common text types:

Recount

Purpose

To reconstruct past experiences by retelling events in the order in which they have occurred.

Structure

1. Orientation - background information about who, where and when.

2. Series of events in chronological order.

3. A personal comment.

Narrative

Purpose

To tell a story

Structure

1. Orientation - who/what, where and when.

2. Complication

3. Series of events.

4. Resolution.

Procedure

Purpose

To show how something is accomplished through a series of steps.

Structure

1. Opening statement of goal or aim.

2. Materials required listed in order of use.

3. Series of steps listed in chronological order.

Information Report

Purpose

To present factual information about a class of things, usually by classifying them and then describing their characteristics.

Structure

1. Opening general definition or classification.

2. Sequence of related statements about topic.

3. Concluding statement.

Explanation

Purpose

To present factual information about a class of things, usually by classifying them and then describing their characteristics.

Structure

1. Opening general definition or classification.

2. Sequence of related statements about topic.

3. Concluding statement.

Discussion

Purpose

To present information and opinions about more than one side of an issue.

Structure

1. Opening statement presenting the issue.

2. Arguments or evidence for different points of view.

3. Concluding recommendation.

Exposition

Purpose

To put forward an argument or particular point of view.

Structure

1. Point of view is stated.

2. Justification of arguments in a logical order.

3. Summing up of argument.

Description

Purpose

To describe the characteristic features of a particular thing.

Structure

1. Opening statement - introduction to the subject.

2. Characteristic features of the subject.

3. Concluding statement (optional).

Response

Purpose

To present information and opinions about more than one side of an issue.

Structure
Personal Response

 

 


Review


1. Context - background information on the text.

2. Personal opinion and/or reaction.

3. A personal comment.


1. Context - background information on the text.

2. Description of the text (including characters and plot).

3. Concluding statement (judgement, opinion or recommendation).