Kinds of Texts

NARRATIVE TEXT

A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story. The stoy can be imaginary or based on a real incident. A narrative always deals with some problems which lead to the climax and then turn into a solution to the problem.

Communicative Purpose

·         To tell a story about something or someone

·         To amuse or entertain to the readers / listeners

Example of Narrative Text

Short stories, folk tales, legend, myths, fables, novels, cartoon strips.

Generic Structure

·         Orientation  : ( where & when the story happen ) and introduce the participants of the story.

·         Complication : tells the beginning of the problem which lead to the climax.

·         Resolution : provides solution to the problem either in a happy ending or sad ending.

·         Re – orientation : gives a closing remark to the story. It consists of a moral lesson or advise.

Language Features

·         Past tense, Time connectives and conjunction

·         Direct and Indirect speech

·         Nouns, pronouns, noun phrases, adjectives, adverb.

Example of Narrative text

Two Thin Goats

Once there were two goats. Both of them were hungry. They were tied together with a brown rope. They wanted to eatthe green leaves from to separated bushes. One bush was on the left. The other bush was on the right. The goats thought they could do everything on their own. However, the rope was short. They tired and tired but they could not reach the bushes. They were sad. Then, the goats to work together. First, they ate the leaves on the right. Then. they ate the leaves on the left. The leaves were delicious. The goats were happy.

Explanation

An explanation is a piece of writing that gives straightforward information. It explain the process related to the formation of natural, social, scientific, cultural phenomena.

Communicative Purpose

To enable the readers to understand the processes involved in the formation or the working of natural, social, scientific, cultural phenomena.

Example of explanation texts

Reports on natural phenomena, articles on scientific inventions.

Generic Structure

·         General Statement : present the subject that is going to be explained

·         Explanation            : supports the folowing paragraph

·         Conclusion

Language features

·         Simple present tense

·         Passive voice

·         Action verbs, technical language

·         Noun phrases, adverbial phrases

Discussion

A discussion is a piece of writing that explores the pros and cons or advantages and disadvantages of an issue to allow the reades to reach a logical conclusion. A balanced view of the writer is reflacted throughout the writing.

Communicative Purpose

To present arguments / opinions / information from different viewpoints

Example of Discussion texts

Newspaper editorials, thesis, journals, debates.

Generic structure

·         Issue

·         Arguments-for

·         Arguments-against

·         Conclusion or recommendation

Language features

·         Relating verbs, thinking verbs, adverbs of manner

·         Modalities, causal sonnectives, additive connectives, General nouns

Example of discussion

Many people say that examination should be abolished because they aren’t the best measure of students’ capabilities. These people believe that students can study on their own and do better without the nagging worry and pressure exerted by examinations.

Yet, there are persuasive reasons to show that examinations should not be abolished. It is insufficient that teachers assign homework and correct it. Because this isn’t done under supervision, they can’t be sure that it is really the work of the students themselves. Moreover, homework is not a test of student’s ability; homework is more a method of marely keeping him occupied.

Nowadays, in the hunt for jobs, students need to produce some evidence of their capabilities. Prospective employers like to see copies of examination results, this is the only way a student’s qualification can be judge. This attitude greatly encourages the use of examinations, if not making them a necessity.

PROCEDURE

A procedure is a piece of writing which consist of instructions to follow

Communicative Purpose

To tell the steps in doing or making something in a sequential order

Examples of Procedure Text

Instruction manuals, recipes

Generic structures

·         Goal             : states an opening statement with an objective

·         Material      : list the materials or items needed

·         Steps          : provide a series of steps listed in a logical order.

Language features

·         Present tense

·         Adjectivees, nouns,

·         Imperative verbs

·         Quantifiers

·         Sequence connectors

Example of Procedure Text

How To Charge Handphone Battery

Prepare your :

·         hand phone

·         battery charger

Steps :

1.      Connect the charger to your hand phone, the flash symbol on the charger plug must face upward.

2.      Wait until the battery icon appears on the screen.

3.      Charge the battery approximately 5 hours or until the battery icon indicates that the battery is fully charged.

4.      Remove the charger by pulling out from your hand phone.

Review

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.

Communicative Purpose

      Review text is used to critic the events or art works for the reader or listener, such as movies, shows, book, and others.

Generic Structure of Review Text

·         Orientation : Background information of the text.

·         Evaluations : Concluding statement, judgement, opinion, or recommendation.

·         Interpretative Recount : Summary of an art works including character and plot.

·         Evaluative Summation : The last opinion consisting the appraisal or the punch line of the art works  being criticized.

Language Features

·         Using the present tense.

·         Use adjective : bad, good, valuable

·         Frequent use of long clause (clause length) and complex.

NEWS ITEM

A news item is a piece of writing about an important event or situation that happens on a particular day.

Communicative Purpose

To inform the readers or listeners of the details of events, accidents, or incidents that have happened

Example of News item Text

Informative articles

Generic structures

·         Newsworthy event

·         Background events

·         Sources

Language features

·         Action verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns

·         Present Tense, past tense

·         Connectors

·         The use of the journalist’s 5 W’s ( what, where, when, who, why )

Example of News Item

Landslide in Bukittinggi

Two people died while four others were wounded in a landslide at a yard behind a house near Teleng market in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra on Tuesday.

The death people were 3-year-old Yusuf, who was the son of a kiosk owner at the market, Bujang, and 22-year-old Meli, who was a visitor to the market. The injured were rushed to the Achmad Muchtar and Yarsi hospitals.

Bukittinggi Deputy Mayor Ismet Amziz said Tuesday it was suspected that recent heavy rainfall had caused the landslide.

Source: thejakartapost.com/news/2009/11/10/two-die-bukittinggi-landslide.html

RECOUNT

A recount is a piece of writing that tells events in a chronological sequence. A recount text is similar to a narrative text. The story can be an event or a situation that took place on particular day.

Communcative Pupose

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

Example of Recount Text

Incident reports, newspaper reports, police reports, articles, letters, journals, diary.

Generic structure

·         Orientation

·         Events

·         Evaluation

·         Re-orientation

Language Features

·         Nouns, pronouns, action verbs

·         Past tense

·         Adverbs, adjectives, conjunction.

Example of Recount text

Holiday in Bali

We had a wonderful holiday in Bali. It was a really great place. The people were friendly, the food was great, and the weather was a lot better than at home.
Most days were pretty. I swam two or three times a day, but my brother Fachri just spent all his time lying on the beach with his eyes closed.
Last Saturday I got on the bus and went to the north of the island, It was much quieter there than here–very beautiful, but no tourists. The next day we went across to
the east coast to see some of the old villages.I learned Balinese–I couldn't say much, but it was fun to try. Fachri actually spoke it quite well, but he was afraid to open his mouth, so I was the one who talked to people.

ANNOUNCEMENT

An announcement is a public statement giving people information or news. It is often in a form of a card or newspaper item.

Communicative Purpose

To give a formal written notice of certain events

Example of Announcements

Written notice, news of birth, wedding and events

Generic Structure

·         Opening

·         Content

·         Closing

Language Feature

Simple present 

Example

Attention please!

Due to some technical problem. The flight will be delayed for about 2 hours.
We apologize for the inconviniet.

ANNOUNCEMENT
Join us in :
English speek contest
Desember 12, 2004
Student hall SMA 5 Jogja
If you are interested in, please contact Miss Yulia at
the student assosiatin room

ADVERTISEMENT

An advertisement is a public announcement in  newspaper or on the radio, television or internet advertising something such as a product for sale or an event.

Communicative Purpose

To promote an idea, a product or influence behavior

Generic Structure

·         Name of the product

·         Explanation about the product

·         Contac person

Language Features

·         Present tense

·         Passive voice

·         Persuasive words

·         Connectors

·         Subjective opinions using pronoun I and We

Example of Advertisement

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Opening Date & Location To Be Announced
Call: 712-792-8178 updates.

BROSCHURE

A broschure is also known as apamphlet. It is a thin, bounless booklet and usually gives information about upcoming events.

Communicative Purpose

To give information about something such as forthcoming events, holiday sites, etc.

Example of broschure

Broschure of workshop, broschure of institutions

Generic structure

·         Title

·         Date

·         Time

·         Place

·         Additional information ( ticket box, price )

Language Features

·         Present tense

·         Passive voice

Example

HIV WORKSHOP

I’m Not My Disease

Date            : November 23, 2011

Time            : 10 p.m – 12.00 p.m

Location       : Rose Building, Sudirman Road Jakarta

Ticket         : Rp 150.000 for three days including lunch and snack

CP      : Chika Noya 0813-9064-7781

LETTER

A letter is a piece of handwritten or printed text addressed to a recipient and typically sent by mail.

Comminicative Purpose

To communicate through written symbols

Example of Letters

Letters to the editor, letters of complaint

Generic structure

1.     A sender’s address

2.    A sent date

3.    Recipient address

4.    Greetings

5.    Contents of the letter

6.    Leave-takings

7.    Sender’s signature

Language Features

·         Written in any tenses

·         Emotive words are only available in personal letters

·         Passive voice& connectors

·         Modal auxiliaries

·         Subjective opinions using pronoung I and We

·         Verb and Verb phrases

Jl. Melati 6 Surabaya

June 12, 2012

Dear Aini,

Long time no see you since you moved to Jakarta. Where are you studying now? I heard that you often win lots of competition and Olympiad. I am really proud of you.

Next month, my parents will attend their friend’s wedding party in Jakarta. They will be there for two days, on weekend. I am planning to come with them. I really hope that I can see you in Jakarta. I really can’t wait to see you soon.

                                                                                    Warm regards,

                                                                                    Gia

MESSAGE

A message is a written communication similar to a letter but without the formal address block at the beginning, especially one that is circulated to people within an office organization.

Communicative Purpose

To communicate in brief

Example of Messages

Memorandum, short notice, short message service (SMS)

Generic structure

·         Recipient’s name

·         Sender’s name

·         Subject

·         Date

·         Content

Language features

·         Present tense

·         No connector

·         Subjects are omitted

Example of Message

Dear Mrs. Jessica,

I need your help. Please deliver some tart

cakes for birthday party.

I’m waiting the cake before 10 a.m.

tomorrow morning.

Mrs.Rubent

SPOOF

A spoof ia humorous story that tells event in achronological sequence with a twist

Communicative Purpose

To entertain the readers with an amusing story

Example of Spoof Text

Short stories

Generic Structure

·         Orientation

·         Events

·         Twist

Language Features

·         Simple past tense

·         Pronouns

·         Adjectives, adverbs, action verbs

·         Time connectors and Sequence connectors

Example of Spoof Text

One day, there was a student. His name was Jimmy. He was studying in the classroom. The teacher asked students to write but Jimmy did not do it.

The teacher approached Jimmy. He wanted to know why Jimmy did not write any word on his book. So the teacher asked: “Jimmy, why aren’t you writing?” Simply Jimmy replied:

“I don’t has a pencil.” Responding to Jimmy's answer, the teacher said: “Jimmy, that’s not a correct sentence. Then he continued explaining. The correct way is: I don’t have a pencil; he doesn’t have a pencil; we don’t have a pencil.”

Hearing the teacher's explanation, Jimmy asked: “Who stole all the pencils then?”