Expository and Narrative Texts Functions and Features

The expository text (or explanatory text): structures Description, enumerative or listing Sequence Comparison and contrast Cause and effect Problem and solution

STRUCTURES Description, enumerative or listing –includes listing connected information, outlining a series of steps, or placing ideas in a hierarchy

Structures Sequence –when a series of events leads up to a conclusion, which means that these events are not a mere succession, rather they are organized

Structures Comparison and contrast when you describe how two or more events, places, characters, or other ideas are similar and/or different in several ways

Structures Cause and effect reasons why an event occurred, or several effects from one cause

Structures Problem and solution this technique is used to identify the problem, give possible solutions with possible results, and present the solution that was chosen

Narrative texts Narrative texts aim at entertaining, though they can also teach or inform, or even influence attitudes and social opinions (e.g. soap operas dealing with topical issues). The stories set up one or more problems, which must eventually be resolved.

Narrative texts 2 Features Characters with defined personalities/identities. Dialogues (almost always, but not necessarily). Descriptive language to create images in the reader's mind and enhance the story.

Narrative texts 3. Structure: The focus of the text is on a series of actions: –Introduction –Complication –Resolution

Narrative texts 4. Language Action verbs Frequent use of past tense Specific nouns Active nouns (nominalizations) Careful use of adjectives and adverbs; use of connectives Use of rhetorical devices (metaphor,simile, personification, onomatopoeia)