Draft Eva-Do not publish-Types of texts
There are different types of texts depending on their intention, their discursive function, the type of language they use or the format in which they are presented. They are not rigid categories, since in the same writing we can find features of various types of text.
- 1. Narrative texts
- 2. Descriptive texts
- 3. argumentative texts
- 4. expository texts
- 5. Instructive texts
- 6. Normative texts
- 7. Informative texts
- 8. persuasive texts
- 9. Scientific texts
- 10. advertising texts
- 11. humanistic texts
- 12. lyrical texts
- 13. dramatic texts
- 14. unimodal digital texts
- 15. Multimodal digital texts
1. Narrative texts
This type of text tells a succession of events that take place in a defined space and time. They are usually narrated in chronological order to make it easier for the reader to understand the evolution of the story.
A narrator describes the actions, which can be real, fictional or based on real events, within a structure that consists of a beginning, a climax and an end. Although the text narrates fantastic events, it must be plausible for the reader.
The story, the novel, the chronicle or the report are some examples of this type of text.
Narrative text example:
"In a place in La Mancha, whose name I don't want to remember, not long ago there lived a hidalgo of those with a lance in a shipyard, an old shield, a skinny nag and a running greyhound..."
Don Quixote of La Mancha, by Miguel de Cervantes.
2. Descriptive texts
Descriptive texts aim to represent the characteristics and qualities of a person, animal, landscape, object, phenomenon or feeling.
This representation can be objective, precise and close to reality, subjective, revealing the author's opinions and feelings, or sensory, aimed at creating sensations in the reader.
The presence of descriptive texts is recurrent in portraiture, prosopography, technical texts or lyrical poems.
Descriptive Text Example
The suspect has been described as a tall man, approximately 1.90 meters. Very white skin, marked and greenish veins, with a circular mole on the left cheek and a slight tremor in the right hand.
3. argumentative texts
They are texts that are based on a central idea with the intention of proving or refuting it. The argument is unfolded throughout the text to make it more understandable to readers.
Argumentative texts can use resources such as quotes, verifiable data or examples to reinforce the argument. They express ideas in a clear, direct and orderly way to gain coherence and capture the reader's attention.
Reviews, theses, opinion articles or essays are some examples of argumentative texts.
Argumentative essay example
The time that passes only rushes or rather slides into an abyss, into the abyss of what has not been lived at all. Of what has not been fully experienced because something is missing: to be memorable.
Zambrano, M. (1998). Dreams and time (p.29). siruela
4. expository texts
The expository texts present a series of ideas in an informative way. They can serve as the basis for an oral speech or for the presentation of concepts in a specialized field.
They serve to communicate ideas in a pedagogical way, use technical or specialized language and are usually structured in short and specific sentences that make their understanding easier.
Expository text example:
Tea comes from a plant called Camellia sinensis. After harvest, Camellia sinensis leaves go through different processes (withering, drying, oxidation, fixation, etc.) to obtain green, white, black, Oolong or post-fermented tea.
5. Instructional or directive texts
They are texts that offer the necessary instructions to carry out an action. Their content is usually specific and they use a language that allows the instructions to be accessible to the majority of readers.
They present the information in a hierarchical way (steps, sequences, numbered list, etc.) and use graphic resources, such as infographics or images, to facilitate understanding.
Instructional Text Example
How to use the floor cleaner:
- Wear gloves to avoid direct contact with the product.
- Open the container and use one measure of cleaner for each liter of water.
- Dampen the floor mop in the mixture.
- After cleaning, pass a new floor mop dampened with water only.
6. Normative texts
Normative texts are created to record rules or guidelines that must be followed in a given context.
Normative texts of a legal nature, such as laws and agreements, are relevant to the social order, since they are drafted to be complied with and non-compliance entails a sanction.
Legal texts are one of the most well-known and relevant types of normative texts, they must be created by lawyers, judges or legislators and have legal validity.
Example of normative text
“To the supplier that does not comply with its legal or contractual obligations with the consumer, at the request of the injured party, the judge may apply a civil fine in favor of the consumer, which will be graded based on the seriousness of the act and other circumstances of the case, regardless of other compensation that corresponds (...).”
Article 52 of the Argentine Consumer Defense Law.
7. Informative texts
They are a type of text whose function is to inform about reality objectively. They tell stories or real events and order the information from the most important to the least relevant.
They do without the emotions or points of view of the author and use a specific language that adapts to the topic addressed.
Although specific topics are covered, the information must be accessible to all readers.
Informative text example
“Covid-19: They identify a compound that blocks access of the coronavirus to cells
Researchers at the University of Geneva detected a group of compounds from the “sulfhydryl” family, capable of inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 virus five thousand times more than other elements.”
Fragment of news published in the Mexican newspaper El Universal, in November 2020.
8. persuasive texts
They are a type of text whose function is to persuade or induce a change of opinion or behavior in the reader before a certain event.
They can resort to rational appeal, using arguments, or subjective appeal, using emotions.
The paragraphs are usually short and the sentences simple, they can also use graphic elements that reinforce the main idea.
Advertising texts or political propaganda are examples of persuasive texts.
persuasive text example
In the United States, cigarette smoking causes 80-90% of lung cancer deaths.
One less cigarette is one more breath of life to enjoy with those who love you.
9. Scientific or academic texts
They show the result of scientific or academic research, are aimed at a specialized audience and are used in both natural sciences and social sciences.
In this type of text objective and verifiable data, methodologies, findings and conclusions obtained through research are collected.
They use technical language in accordance with the field of research addressed. The text must be clear and concise and, in addition, it must provide references to the research sources.
science text example
“(...) People who exercised had 1.49 (43 2%) fewer days of poor mental health in the past month than people who didn't. exercised but otherwise had different physical and sociodemographic characteristics (W = 7 42 × 10 10, p < 2 2 × 10 -16). All types of exercise were associated with a lower mental health burden (minimum reduction of 11.8% and a maximum reduction of 22.3%) than not exercising (p < 2 × 2 × 10-16 for all types of exercise)".
Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1 2 million people in the US. USA Between 2011 and 2015: A Cross-Sectional Study, by Sammi R Chekroud, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Amanda B Zheutlin, Martin Paulus, Harlan M Krumholz, John H Krystal, et al., in The Lancet Psychiatry (Aug. 2018).
10. advertising texts
They are texts with a clear commercial orientation, which show the characteristics of a product or company, to promote the consumption of its goods and services.
Advertising texts are loaded with persuasive resources, which lead the consumer to have a favorable opinion of the product.
They usually present ideas in a concrete way to make them easier to remember. They are creative texts full of associations of ideas that generate an impact on the public.
The advertising texts are aimed at a specific group of people and the messages are designed to be related to that specific audience.
Advertising copy example
“The detergent that cleans your clothes and cares for your hands, now in a liquid version. Greater performance, more cleaning”
11. humanistic texts
This type of text is characterized by disseminating knowledge related to the area of Humanities (Letters, Literature, Ethics, Anthropology, Sociology, Arts, etc.). Use argumentation and exposition as the main resources for the transmission of ideas.
Although they deal with academic topics, they are not always objective, rather they are reflections or interpretations of the authors. The author's conclusions are often subject to debate or controversy, given their subjective nature.
They use technical terms typical of the area of knowledge treated and invite reflection and critical thinking.
Example of humanistic text:
"Freedom is being able to say 'yes' or 'no'; I do it or I don't do it, whatever my bosses or others say; this suits me and I want it, that does not suit me and therefore I do not want it. Freedom is deciding, but also, don't forget, realizing that you are deciding. The most opposite of letting go, as you can understand. And in order not to get carried away, you have no choice but to try to think at least twice about what you are going to do; yes, twice, sorry, even if your head hurts..."
Fragment of Ethics for Amador, by Fernando Savater.
12. lyrical texts
The lyrical texts express ideas through a rich and sophisticated poetic language, which fulfills a aesthetic function and in which literary figures abound such as metaphor, comparison or hyperbole.
They express feelings and emotions from the point of view of the author or his characters and can do so in verse or prose.
The aesthetic component is also expressed in its form, through the number of lines, the number of syllables in each line and the use of rhyme.
lyrical text example
Let each word carry what it says.
Let it be like the trembling that sustains it.
To remain like a heartbeat.Rafael Cadenas, Ars poetica
13. dramatic texts
The story is told through dialogue and the events are divided into acts or scenes. Dramatic texts are the basis of theater and its different genres, such as tragedy, comedy or farces.
The stories can be fictional or real and the action is carried out by one or more characters.
Each act or scene has its own structure of beginning, climax and ending and in turn are part of an overall structure.
These texts may include stage directions, which are notes in the margin with which the author leaves instructions for the actors.
dramatic text example
The teacher— How many are one and one?
The student — One and one are two.
The teacher (admired by the wisdom of the student): - Oh, very good! She seems very advanced in her studies. You'll easily get your full Ph.D., miss.
The student— I celebrate it, all the more so because you are the one who says it
Eugene Ionesco, The Lesson
14. unimodal digital texts
It refers to all documents that were created using a word processor, such as Word, Google docs. Texts that have been digitized also fall into this category, such as when we scan a document to convert it to pdf format.
They are the same as a printed text, what varies is that their format is digital and they do not always require the internet for their creation or dissemination.
In some cases, unimodal texts are just digital versions of existing texts.
Unimodal text example:
15. Multimodal digital texts
They are digital texts that, in addition to written content, include resources such as audio, video, animations, graphics or gifs.
Your goal is feedback (feedback) or user participation, so they require an internet connection.
We can find three types of multimodal text:
- Multimedia: are texts that include written content, images and/or video to reinforce the message of the text.
- hypertext: is a text unit designed specifically for the web, which in turn is part of a larger unit, such as a blog within a web page. It may contain multimedia resources.
- intertext: they allow interaction with the user, either because they can comment on the content or because they can generate their own content.
Multimodal text example:
References:
Cervantes Saavedra, M. d (1953). The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha (1st. ed.). Saragossa: Luis Vives.
Esteban Del Campo, Á., & Aparicio, Y. (2016). Poetic anthology of Rafael Cadenas.
Homer, Iliad, I vv. 1-13
Ionesco, E. (2006). The lesson.
Marotto, C. M., & Duarte, A. (2007). Narrative text comprehension and inferences. Subjectivity and cognitive processes, (10), 163-183.
Sanchez, A. c. (2006). Texts, text types and specialized texts. Journal of Philology of the University of La Laguna, (24), 77-90.
Saveter, F. (1991). Ethics for lovers (No. BJ1142. S38 2001.). Barcelona: Ariel.
Zambrano, M. (1998). Dreams and time (Vol. 10). siruela
See also:
- Difference Between Literary Text and Non-Literary Text.
- direct and indirect speech
- Difference between short story and novel.
- prose and verse.
