Table of genre characteristics

Genre Features

Factual text Imparts information

(expository), Objective and neutral tone

e.g. academic Formal language and style

textbook, dictionary,
High lexical density*
encyclopaedia
No use of first-person pronoun

News article Imparts information

(expository) Tries to answer the questions: who, what, when, where, why and how

Neutral and objective tone, but not as impartial as the factual text

No use of first-person pronoun

Often quotes sources directly

Most important information comes early in the text

Uses headlines and often also subheadings

Factual report Imparts information

(expository) Objective and neutral tone

e.g. police report, Often flat and straightforward language

accident report
Formal language
insurance claim
High lexical density; profession/job specific language

Often has introduction/conclusion

Business report Imparts information

(expository and Often analyses results/problems

analytical)
Normally makes recommendations

Formal language

High lexical density; profession/job specific language

Often has introduction/conclusion

Feature article Imparts information - not breaking news

(analytical and Usually topical

personal)
Analyses and entertains

Tone can be serious or light depending on subject

Personal, subjective tone

Language can be informal

Author usually “present” in the text

Often uses literary devices

Facts and statistics often used to support the views expressed

Often quotes sources directly

Interviews and anecdotes often used

Often ends emphatically

Generally longer than the news article

Uses headlines/subheadings

Essay Analyses, exposes or persuades

(analytical) Normally objective tone and style

Avoids slang, colloquial language and abbreviations

Disciplined; it does not waver from the chosen topic

Generally starts with a thesis statement

 Has logical progression

Divided into clear paragraphs

Has an introduction and a conclusion

Review Critically examines a book, film, painting, music etc.

(analytical and Persuasive

persuasive) Critical tone (positive/negative)

Presence of the writer’s opinion

Presence of the first person possible

Liberal use of adjectives and adverbs

Often tries to “hook” the reader

Often has a catchy title

Ends emphatically making clear the overall opinion

Editorial/speech Persuades

(persuasive) Expresses particular points of view on a subject

Level of formality depends on the type of medium and on the intended

audience

Uses techniques of rhetoric (see Course 3: Persuasive Genres) and

literary features

The editorial is generally short

Personal text Imparts a personal response

(persuasive and Expresses particular points of view on a subject/tries to persuade

personal)
Subjective tone
e.g. blog text, online
Generally informal but depends on target group
commentary, letters
Letters to the editor are often quite formal
to the editor, diary
entry Often uses techniques of rhetoric and literary features
Advertisement Tries to sell or convince

(persuasive) Normally a light, upbeat, friendly and inclusive tone

Uses easy, accessible language

Often liberal use of the pronouns you, we

Often addresses target audience directly

Uses emotive words

Lots of positive adjectives/adverbs

May employ literary devices like alliteration, similes, metaphors

Often presence of the imperative: Buy! Get! Look!

Layout (picture/image etc.) is also very important

Literary text Tries to makes us understand something about life

(persuasive, Tries to express a sentiment

analytical, personal)
Often persuasive; tries to make us see things a certain way
e.g. novel, short
Uses expressive language (this is language that creates images in the
story, poem, play
reader’s mind)

Uses literary devices liberally (e.g. metaphors, similes, personification,

imagery)

Autobiography Tells a personal story, personal version of events

(expository, personal, Tone may be serious, light, humorous, bitter

analytical) Uses first-person, vivid details, anecdotes

Sense of place and time is important

Often reported dialogue

Generally chronological

* By lexical density we mean the following: A text has lexical density when there are many content
words, i.e. nouns, adjectives, most verbs, and most adverbs, in comparison to functional words, i.e.
pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions, auxiliary verbs, etc. Content words are used for explanations
(expository purpose). If there are many content words, you know you are probably dealing with a
factual text. If there is a very high number of lexical words, we are probably dealing with an academic
text. Texts that are very easy to understand will have low lexical density. Lexical density can also refer
to the number of unique words in a text. If the same words are used often in a text, it will have a
lower lexical density.