Functional texts: types, characteristics and functions

Do you know what functional texts are? It is a type of text where the appellative function of language predominates, that is, the one that refers to the fact that the sender looks for some kind of behavior or reaction in the receiver through the words.

Thus, they are texts that provide instructions or guidelines for the recipient in relation to some activity, action or task. But what are its fundamental characteristics? And its functions and utilities? How can they be classified? We will answer these and other questions through this article.

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Functional texts: what are they?

Functional texts are those that, as their name indicates, fulfill a specific function; that is, they are texts that They address the recipient of the message in a direct, clear and concrete way, and have the mission that he / she performs a specific action.

Through this type of text, we guide the recipient of the message in the execution of said action. Beyond this guide, sometimes functional texts also provide the recipient with the materials they need to perform the action in question (which is the action we want to see or "get").

The language function that predominates in this type of text is the appellative function. This function of language (also called conative function) is the one that focuses on the receiver of the message, and it has to do with the fact that the sender expects some kind of reaction from the receiver. Through it, the sender tries to influence the behavior or attitude of the receiver.

What are they used for?

As we will see below, functional texts seek to instruct the reader in some activity or task.

These are very frequent texts in our day to day, and in addition to giving us instructions in relation to any task, they also provide us with indications, recommendations, advice, guidelines, etc., that may facilitate the action or performance of the receiver in the task in question.

Examples

Some examples of functional texts are: cooking recipes, instruction manuals, formulations of a remedy (formulations are texts with the fundamental information of a material), information notes from schools, style manuals, instructions in a written exam, etc.

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Characteristics

As we have been able to investigate, the functional texts they are generally instructional texts (that is, those who instruct us in some activity). What characteristics do they present?

1. Qualification

Functional texts, as well as instructive texts, always have a title; the title gives us the information whether the text we are going to read is simply instructive, or is it directly a manual (for example an instruction manual).

2. Subtitle

Depending on whether the text is very long or very short, and the characteristics of the instructions used, we can also find subtitles in this type of text.

3. Numbering

Numbering is also frequent in functional and instructional texts. Normally, these detail the steps to follow when obtaining something (for example, assembling a piece of furniture, in the case of an instruction manual, or operating a coffee maker).

4. Graphic resources

Another characteristic of functional texts, or instructional texts, is that they usually present different graphic resources to enrich its content and facilitate its understanding. These resources are: vignettes, illustrations, colors, tables, graphics ...

However, the text itself is still the most important thing in this type of document, since it is the one that provides the information on what to do.

5. Specialized vocabulary

The vocabulary used is a type of vocabulary that is specialized in the subject in question, as well as being very precise. May include use of technical terms.

6. They fulfill a specific function

As we anticipated at the beginning of the article, functional texts fulfill a specific function; that is, they are not purely recreational or entertainment texts.

Types of functional texts

At the same time, functional texts can be of different typology (These are functional texts as long as they meet the aforementioned characteristics, although these will vary from one type of text to another). Thus, the types of functional texts that we can find are the following:

1. Journalistic texts

Journalistic texts fulfill three functions: inform, train and entertain. When they also fulfill the appellate function of language and instruct in something, we speak of journalistic functional texts.

2. Advertising texts

This type of text disseminates content that encourages the purchase of certain products or services. The function of language that predominates here is the referential or representative, which is related to some communication factors such as referent and context (that is, any factor external to one's own communication).

3. Scientific and technical texts

Functional texts can also be of a scientific and / or technical nature; they are objective, verifiable and clear texts. Here too the referential function of language predominates.

4. Literary texts

When functional texts are literary, their mission is to last over time (that is, they are texts that "seek" to be preserved for their artistic value). They are addressed to everyone, and communication is established between the author of the text and his readers.

5. Historical texts

Through them stories are told, which are represented by different characters and which are framed within a historical period or moment.

6. Entertainment texts

Its objective is for the receiver to be entertained, enjoy and have a good time. The information that the reader obtains through this type of text is usually not relevant (that is, the objective here is another).

7. Informative texts

Finally, functional texts also They can be informative texts, when the sender intends to make known a specific situation to the receiver.

Another possible classification

We have seen how functional texts can "specialize" in different fields (that is, there are different types of it). However, it is not the only existing classification.

Now we are going to see another one, which divides them into three types: personal, school and work texts. What does each one consist of and what examples can we find in each group?

1. Personal texts

As their name suggests, they are for personal use. Examples of them are: agendas, emails, diaries ...

2. School texts

In this case we find: class notes, concept maps, synoptic tables... Of course, let us remember that functional texts must always fulfill the appellative function of language.

3. Labor texts

Finally, functional work texts are those related to the work or professional environment. Examples of them are: petition letters, job applications, memoranda, etc.

Bibliographic references:

• Cascón, J.A. & Madruga, J.A. (1989). Comprehension of texts and instruction. Education around the world.
• Corbacho, A. (2006). Texts, types of text and specialized texts. Journal of Philology, 24: 77-90.
• Mendoza, N. (2007). The types of texts in Spanish: forms, technique and production. Language and communication series, 2007/06, Caracas: IESALC.