Literature as a Specific Discourse

Literary Form
Literary Criticism and Analysis
Universidad Interamericana
Mtra. Liliana Eguía

Discourse in literature is the representation of thought through language. Generally speaking, any time someone uses
language to communicate, they’re utilizing discourse. The job of the writer, then, is one that primarily relies on discourse
to tell stories, share ideas, and disseminate information. Essentially, without discourse, there would be no literature.
Not all discourse is the same, however, and literary scholars break it down into four main types: argument, description,
exposition, and narration.
Argument: An argument is an attempt to convince the reader through logic and reasoning. The writer will make a
specific claim and then present evidence that supports that claim. For example, academic essays employ
argumentative discourse to persuade readers about the truth of an overarching thesis.
Description: Description is a sensory experience for the reader, one that aims to help them develop clear mental
images of the information presented. Novels, short stories, and poems depend on the power of description to entertain
and move readers.
Exposition: Exposition informs the audience of a certain fact but doesn’t seek to influence the audience’s opinion of
that fact. Expositional discourse is neutral in language and tone to avoid persuading or stirring emotion in the reader;
its purpose is purely informational. News stories and other journalistic writings, as well as comparative analyses and
other research-oriented literature, commonly utilize exposition.
Narration: Narration is the written commentary that presents the story to the reader. Put another way, it is the voice of
the storyteller. Narration engages the reader through compelling language that elicits emotion and empathy and
keeps the reader turning the page. Narration is a cornerstone of novels, short stories, and some plays.
Other schools of thoughts break literary discourse down into the categories of expressive, poetic, and transactional
discourse.

Expressive: Expressive discourse reflects the emotions of the writer. Its focus is on generating and discussing ideas, with
little or no emphasis on concrete facts or attempts to persuade others of a central argument. Works of expressive
discourse are always nonfiction; diaries and journals, blogs, and memoirs are all examples.
Poetic: Poetic discourse is a highly creative approach to fictional writing. The writer presents thoughts, feelings, events,
places, and characters in imaginative, sometimes rhythmic, language that appeals to readers’ emotions. Poetic
discourse emphasizes theme, imagery, and feelings. It is a central component of poetry but is also evident, to some
degree, in most novels and short stories.
Transactional: Transactional discourse is less of a literary approach and more of an instructional one. It lays out a clear
action or plan, typically in an active voice, that compels the reader to act. Advertising and marketing writing,
instruction manuals, and business correspondence are all common sources of transactional discourse.
The Function of Discourse
Discourse is crucial to how readers understand the world the author is trying to create, but its function is much larger in
scope than any one literary work.
Discourse serves to inform and shape how the individual sees the world and how they form a baseline for responding
to different concepts. At its most basic, it may seem like discourse is only communication, but communication is how
we interact with one another, with ourselves, and with our societies.
Written communications—be they novels, poems, nonfiction books, letters, diary entries, or emails—are records of how
a society shares information. They provide insights into why we think the way we do and how we connect with people
and ideas. They influence behavior, relationships, and social change.
LITERARY FORM