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.

NARRATIVE
Purpose: To amuse/entertain the readers and to tell a story
Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Complication
3. Resolution
4. Reorientation
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Past Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Chronologically arranged

RECOUNT
Purpose: to retell something that happened in the past and to tell a series of past event
Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Event(s)
3. Reorientation
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Past Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Using adjectives
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

DESCRIPTIVE
Purpose: to describe a particular person, place or thing in detail.
Dominant Generic Structure:
1. Identification
2. Description
Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Using adverb
4. Using special technical terms

REPORT
Purpose: to presents information about something, as it is.
Generic Structure
1. General classification
2. Description
Dominant Language Feature
1. Introducing group or general aspect
2. Using conditional logical connection
3. Using Simple Present Tense

EXPLANATION
Purpose: To explain the processes involved in the formation or working of natural or
socio-cultural phenomena.
Generic Structure:
1. General statement
2. Explanation
3. Closing
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Using action verbs
3. Using passive voice
4. Using noun phrase
5. Using adverbial phrase
6. Using technical terms
7. Using general and abstract noun
8. Using conjunction of time and cause-effect.

ANALYTICAL EXPOSITION
Purpose: To reveal the readers that something is the important case
Generic Structure:
1. Thesis
2. Arguments
3. Reiteration/Conclusion
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using modals
2. Using action verbs
3. Using thinking verbs
4. Using adverbs
5. Using adjective
6. Using technical terms
7. Using general and abstract noun
8. Using connectives/transition
HORTATORY EXPOSITION
Purpose: to persuade the readers that something should or should not be the case or be
done
Generic Structure:
1. Thesis
2. Arguments
3. Recommendation
Dominant Language features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Using modals
3. Using action verbs
4. Using thinking verbs
5. Using adverbs
6. Using adjective
7. Using technical terms
8. Using general and abstract noun
9. Using connectives/transition
Then what is the basic difference between analytical and hortatory exposition. In simple
word. Analytical is the answer of "How is/will" while hortatory is the answer of "How
should". Analytical exposition will be best to describe "How will student do for his
examination? The point is the important thing to do. But for the question" How should
student do for his exam?" will be good to be answered with hortatory. It is to convince
that the thing should be done

PROCEDURE
Purpose: to help readers how to do or make something completely
Generic Structure:
1. Goal/Aim
2. Materials/Equipments
3. Steps/Methods
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Using Imperatives sentence
3. Using adverb
4. Using technical terms

DISCUSSION
Purpose: to present information and opinions about issues in more one side of an issue
(‘For/Pros’ and ‘Against/Cons’)
Generic Structure:
1. Issue
2. Arguments for and against
3. Conclusion
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Use of relating verb/to be
3. Using thinking verb
4. Using general and abstract noun
5. Using conjunction/transition
6. Using modality
7. Using adverb of manner

REVIEW
Purpose: to critique or evaluate an art work or event for a public audience
dominant Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Evaluation
3. Interpretative Recount
4. Evaluation
5. Evaluative Summation
Dominant Language features:
1. Focus on specific participants
2. Using adjectives
3. Using long and complex clauses
4. Using metaphor

ANECDOTE
Purpose: to share with others an account of an unusual or amusing incident
Generic Structure:
1. Abstract
2. Orientation
3. Crisis
4. Reaction
5. Coda.
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using exclamations, rhetorical question or intensifiers
2. Using material process
3. Using temporal conjunctions

SPOOF
Purpose: to tell an event with a humorous twist and entertain the readers
Generic Structure:
1. Orientation
2. Event(s)
3. Twist
Dominant Language Features:
1. Using Past Tense
2. Using action verb
3. Using adverb
4. Chronologically arranged
NEWS ITEM
Purpose: to inform readers about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or
important
Dominant Generic Structure:
1. Newsworthy event(s)
2. Background event(s)
3. Sources
Dominant Language Features:
1. Short, telegraphic information about story captured in headline
2. Using action verbs
3. Using saying verbs
4. Using adverbs : time, place and manner.

Read the other examples:

Abstract on Text Types

• Text Types in Non-Fiction Writing

• Time to learn Text Types again
• Text Types in Three Main Genres
• Back to School Back to Learn Text Types
• Understanding Types of Text
• Classification Essay - Everything You Need to Know

Analytical Exposition

• Controlling Children Using Computer

• The Power of Music in our life
• Text Types in Non-Fiction Writing
• The Advantages of Gold Coin Investment
• Text Types in Three Main Genres
• The Importance of Exercise as Example of Analytical Exposition
• Fast Food in Example of Analytical Exposition
• Contoh/Example of Analytical Exposition about Being Fat
• Analytical Exposition Sample in Learning English
• Analytical Exposition Sample on Accredited School
• Example of Analytical Exposition in Jakarta Issue
• Is Smoking Good for Us?; Example of Analytical Exposition
• Opportunity in the Global Financial Crisis; example of analytical exposition
• Laptop as Students' Friend
• Career in Translation
• Writing is a Great for Money Online; an analytical exposition text
• What is Analytical Exposition?

Anecdote
 • Contoh Text Anecdote SNAKE IN THE BATHROOM
• From Bankrupt Candle to Best Seller Soap; an Anecdote Text Example
• Spoof Text is Different from Anecdote Text
• Blessing behind Tragedy; an anecdote text
• What is Anecdote?

Descriptive

• Example of Short Descriptive Text about Jakarta

• More Explanation on the Difference between Report and Descriptive Text
• Descriptive Text about Cleopatra
• The Descriptive Facts about the Moon
• The Best Example of Descriptive Text about a Cat
• Text Types in Three Main Genres
• Contoh/Example of Descriptive Text about Taj Mahal
• Descriptive Text on Jatim Park
• Marsupial Mammal; EXAMPLE OF DESCRIPTIVE TEXT
• My Friend's New Shoes
• The Differences between Report and Descriptive Text
• Borobudur Temple; a descriptive text
• What is Descriptive Text?

Discussion

• Text Types in Non-Fiction Writing

• The Advantages and Disadvantages of Home Office
• National Exam in Pros and Cons
• Gift Cards Bring Advantages and Disadvantages
• Text Types in Three Main Genres
• Discussion Text Sample on Distance Learning
• Reading Discussion Text
• Example of Discussion Text on Nuclear Power
• Hunting Fox; a discussion text
• What is Discussion?

Explanation

• Text Types in Non-Fiction Writing

• Contoh Explanation Text tentang Venus Eclipse
• Explanation Text about How Rain Happens
• Explanation Text about How Cell Phones Work
• Text Types in Three Main Genres
• Seasons as Example of Explanation Text
• Contoh / Example of Explanation Text about Earthquake
• Contoh / Example of Explanation Text about Bali Island
• HOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT WORK; an example of explanation text
 • Flying Kites as Example of Explanation
• CANCER; Example of Explanation Text
• Do You Know Why Eiffel Tower was Built?; Explanation Sample
• Explanation Text Sample about Roman Road
• How Chocolate is made; an Example of Explanation text
• Between Explanation and Procedure Text
• Example of Explanation Text
• How Day and Night Happen: an explanation text
• Why Summer Daylight is Longger than Winter Daylight; an explanation text
• What is Explanation?

Hortatory Exposition

• Example of Hortatory Exposition in "Online Job"

• Text Types in Non-Fiction Writing
• Accessory for Vehicle Front Section
• Example of Hortatory Text about Proposing Gesang as National Hero
• Example of Hortatory Text in Tourism Benefit on Local People
• Example of Hortatory Text in Letter to Editor
• Text Types in Three Main Genres
• USE ENGLISH! Hortatory Sample
• Should not Bring Mobile Phone to School; a Hortatory Text Sample
• NEVER TRY SMOKING; a Hortatory Sample
• Hortatory Example in Wearing Helmet
• Reading Hortatory Text
• Hortatory Example in Public Awareness
• Example of Hortatory Exposition in Watching TV
• More Dust Bins is Cleaner; example of hortatory
• Where should be after High School?; a hortatory text
• Millions from Property Market; a hortatory exposition text
• Removing Lead from Petrol; a hortatory exposition text
• What is Hortatory Exposition?

Narrative

• Kinds of Narrative
• Contoh / Example of Narrative Text "The Story of Lake Toba"
• Narrative Text and Most Dominant Language Features
• Narrative Text with Direct Speeches in the Story of Monkey and Crocodile
• Narrative Text in Romeo and Juliet's Romantic and Tragic Story
• Text Types in Three Main Genres
• Example of Narrative Text in the Legend of Tangkuban Perahu
• Kite's Tale as Example of Narrative
• Narrative Analysis on Malin Kundang Story
• Reading a Narrative
• Narrative Example in Arabian Story
 • Example of Narrative Text; The Smartest Parrot
• Story of Narrative Text
• CINDERELLA STORY; the Clearest Example of Narrative Text
• Building Narrative Text with Complication
• Between Recount and Narrative
• The Smartest Animal; a narrative text
• Snow White; a narrative text
• Cinderella; a narrative text
• What is Narrative?

News Item

• Contoh News Item Text tentang Camp Rock 2 The final Jam
• News Item about Man Push Van off Train Railroad
• Understanding News Item Text
• Growing Student Smoking as Example of News Item Text
• The Clear Example of News Item Text about Landslide
• Contoh / Example of News Item Text about Indonesian Maid Tragedy
• Contoh / Example of News Item Text
• Malaysian Women Suggested to Carry Condoms; a news item text
• Indonesian Maid in HK Court after Having Intercourse; a news item text
• Indonesian Maid beheaded; a news item text
• What is News Item?

Procedure

• Contoh Procedure Text-How to Make the Meatballs

• How to Boil Egg as Example of Procedure text
• Procedure Text in Making Candles
• Contoh/Example of Procedure Text in Making Kite
• Contoh/Example of Procedure Text in Installing SIM Card
• Between Explanation and Procedure Text
• Planting Chilies; a procedure text
• Writing For Business; a procedure text
• What is Procedure?

Recount

• Contoh Recount Text - Recounting Horror Experience

• Text Types in Non-Fiction Writing
• Text Types in Three Main Genres
• Recount Example in Journalist's Diary
• Spoof and Recount Text; What Makes them Different?
• Vacation to London; the clear example of recount text
• Between Recount and Narrative
• Visiting Bali; a recount text
 • My Horrible Experience; a recount text
• What is Recount?

Report

• Text Types in Non-Fiction Writing

• More Explanation on the Difference between Report and Descriptive Text
• Example of Report Text about Mangrove Trees
• ELEPHANTS as Example of Report Text
• Text Types in Three Main Genres
• Example of Report Text in Earthquake
• Tornadoes as Example of Report Text
• Example of Report Text about Volcano
• Contoh/Example of Report Text in Komodo
• Human Body Energy as EXAMPLE OF REPORT
• The Differences between Report and Descriptive Text
• Platypus; a report text
• What is Report?

Review

• Example of Review Text in 2012 Movie

• Zenni Optical; a site for eyeglasses
• Business Loan Program
• Career in Translation
• Structuring the Product Review Text
• Good Translation
• a TAMM Creation
• All about Ohio Sports
• Recording Mommy Journey
• Making Money Online
• Good Young Mother
• An Attractive Motherly Blog
• A Site from Reog Boy
• Recommended Software Applications
• Guide to Japanese Pop Culture
• When She Writes
• Bad Credit Improvement
• Online Shopping Software
• Choosing Web Hosting
• Beneficial Shopping Cart
• Let's Write with Smorty
• Opera Mini Phone Browser; a review text
• What is Review?

Spoof
• Twist in Spoof Text
• Contoh Spoof Text "The Necklace"
• Spoof Text is Different from Anecdote Text
• Goat Jumping into Deep Hole as EXAMPLE OF SPOOF TEXT
• Example of Spoof Text in Story of Spying Parrot
• It’s Time to Go to School! Short Example of Spoof Text
• Loving Money Too Much; Example of Spoof
• Example of Spoof Text in Funny Story
• Spoof and Recount Text; What Makes them Different?
• “That Phone is Off” ; example of spoof
• Saved by Stilts; a spoof text
• Private Conversation; a spoof text
• Nasreddin’s Coat; a spoof text
• Penguin in the Park; a spoof text
• What is Spoof?