STUDYING GENRES

TYPES OF TEXT / GENRES

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.

1. DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

The Definition and Purpose of Descriptive Text
Descriptive text is a text which say what a person or a thing is like.

Its purpose is to describe and reveal a particular person, place, or thing.

The Generic Structure of Descriptive Text
Descriptive text has structure as below:
Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described.
Description; describing the phenomenon in parts, qualities, or/and characteristics.

The Language Feature of Descriptive Text
Using attributive and identifying process.
Using adjective and classifiers in nominal group.
Using simple present tense

2.  Report Text

Definition of Report
Report is a text which presents information about something, as it is. It is as a result of systematic observation and analysis

Generic Structure of Report
1. General classification: Stating classification of general aspect of thing; animal, public place, plant, etc     which will be discussed in general
2. Description: Describing the thing which will be discussed in detail; part per part , customs or deed for living creature and usage for materials

Language Feature of Report
• Introducing group or general aspect
• Using conditional logical connection; when, so, etc
• Using simple present tense

3. WHAT IS NARRATIVE TEXT

Definition of Narrative

Narrative is a text focusing specific participants.

Its social function is to tell stories or past events and entertain the readers.

Generic Structure of Narrative

A narrative text will consists of the following structure:

1. Orientation: Introducing the participants and informing the time and the place

2. Complication: Describing the rising crises which the participants have to do with

3. Resolution: Showing the way of participant to solve the crises, better or worse

Language Features of Narrative

· Using processes verbs

· Using temporal conjunction

· Using Simple Past Tense

4. Recount Text

Definition of Recount
Recount is a text which retells events or experiences in the past.

    Its purpose is either to inform or to entertain the audience.

      There is no complication among the participants and that differentiates from narrative

Generic Structure of Recount
1. Orientation: Introducing the participants, place and time
2. Events: Describing series of event that happened in the past
3. Reorientation: It is optional. Stating personal comment of the writer to the story

Language Feature of Recount
• Introducing personal participant; I, my group, etc
• Using chronological connection; then, first, etc
• Using linking verb; was, were, saw, heard, etc
• Using action verb; look, go, change, etc
• Using simple past tense

NOTE :

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 book; myth, fable, folklore, etc while recount text is found in 

biography.

The thing that makes narrative and recount different is the structure in which they are constructed.

Narrative uses conflicts among the participants whether natural conflict, social conflict or psychological 

conflict. 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

5. Procedure Text

Definition of Procedure

Procedure is a text that show a process in order.

How to do something

How to make something

Its social function is to describe how something is completely done through a sequence of series

 ( First, second,third...,next,than, after that, later, finally )

Generic Structure of Procedure

1. Goal: showing the purpose

2. Material: Telling the needed materials

3. Step 1-end: Describing the steps to achieve the purpose

Language Feature of Procedure

· Using temporal conjunction

· Using action verb

· Using imperative sentence

· Using Simple Present Tense