Text types in literature form the basic styles of writing.

Factual texts
merely seek to inform, whereas literary texts seek to entertain or
otherwise engage the reader by using creative language and
imagery. There are many aspects to literary writing, and many ways
to analyse it, but four basic categories are descriptive, narrative,
expository, and argumentative.

Narrative text type

Based on perception in time. Narration is the telling of a story; the

succession of events is given in chronological order.

Purpose

The basic purpose of narrative is to entertain, to gain and hold

readers' interest. However narratives can also be written to teach or
inform, to change attitudes / social opinions e.g. soap operas and
television dramas that are used to raise topical issues. Narratives
sequence people/characters in time and place but differ from
recounts in that through the sequencing, the stories set up one or
more problems, which must eventually find a way to be resolved. The
common structure or basic plan of narrative text is known as the
"story grammar". Although there are numerous variations of the story
grammar, the typical elements are:

Settings – when and where the story occurs.

Characters – the most important people or characters in the story.

Plot – the events of the story, consisting of the initiating event--an

action or occurrence that establishes a problem and/or goal--one or
more attempts by the main character(s) to achieve the goal or solve
the problem, and the Resolutions--the outcome of the attempts to
achieve the goal.
Conflicts/goal – the focal point around which the whole story is
organized.

Theme – the underlying meaning of the story...why the author wrote

it...a truth he wants us to learn or realize from the story. Theme isn't
specifically stated--it must be discerned.

The graphic representation of these story grammar elements is called

a story map. The exact form and complexity of a map depends, of
course, upon the unique structure of each narrative and the personal
preference of the teacher constructing the map.

Kinds of narrative

There are many kinds of narrative. They can be imaginary, factual or

a combination of both. They may include fairy stories, mysteries,
science fiction, romances, horror stories, adventure stories, fables,
myths and legends, historical narratives, ballads, slice of life,
personal experience, or historical.

Features:

Characters with defined personalities/identities.

Dialogue often included - tense may change to the present or the

future.

Descriptive language to create images in the reader's mind and

enhance the story.

Structure

In a Traditional Narrative the focus of the text is on a series of

actions:

Orientation
(Introduction) in which the characters, setting, and time of the story
are established. Usually answers who? When? Where? E.g. Mr. Wolf
went out hunting in the forest one dark gloomy night.

Complication or problem

The complication usually involves the main character(s) (often

mirroring the complications in real life).

Resolution

There needs to be a resolution of the complication. The complication

may be resolved for better or worse/happily or unhappily. Sometimes
there are a number of complications that have to be resolved. These
add and sustain interest and suspense for the reader.

Further more, when there is plan for writing narrative texts, the focus
should be on the following characteristics:

Plot: What is going to happen?

Setting: Where will the story take place? When will the story take
place?

Characterization: Who are the main characters? What do they look

like?

Structure: How will the story begin? What will be the problem? How is
the problem going to be resolved?

Theme: What is the theme / message the writer is attempting to

communicate?

Expository text type

It aims at explanation or procedure, i.e. the cognitive analysis and

subsequent syntheses of complex facts. Example: An essay on
"Rhetoric: What is it and why do we study it?"
There is a chance that your work may fall flat if you have not chosen
one of the really good expository essay topics. Not all topics out there
are interesting or meaty enough to be thoroughly investigated within a
paper. Make sure you put effort into choosing a topic that has a lot of
material to cover it and pique the interest of readers!

Trending Topics: Are there any hot issues that deserve some deep
discussion? If so, consider educating people on this seemingly new
occurrence through the use of a well-written essay.

Example: Cultural and Historical Shifts.

A topic close to your heart: It is easy much easier to defend a thesis if

you find yourself passionately thinking about the topic. If you have an
advocacy and want to inform others, choose this path and you might
be able to sway beliefs!

Argumentative text type

Based on the evaluation and the subsequent subjective judgement in

answer to a problem. It refers to the reasons advanced for or against
a matter. The writer usually argues with another side to convince the
reader to join a certain side.

Comparing the past and the present is a good way of framing an

argument, especially if a lot has been written about it.

Literature

A literary text is a piece of writing, such as a book or poem, that has

the purpose of telling a story or entertaining, as in a fictional novel. Its
primary function as a text is usually aesthetic, but it may also contain
political messages or beliefs. American schoolchildren and their
parents are taught that literary texts contrast with informational texts
that have the purpose of providing information rather than
entertainment. Informational texts, such as science briefs and history
books, are increasingly receiving emphasis in public school curricula
as part of the Common Core State Standards. As a result, many
parents have challenged the idea that literary texts are of less
pedagogical value than informational one.

Based on perception in time. Narration is the telling of a story; the

succession of events is given in chronological order.

Purpose
The basic purpose of narrative is to entertain, to gain and hold
readers' interest. However narratives can also be written to teach or
inform, to change attitudes / social opinions e.g. soap operas and
television dramas that are used to raise topical issues. Narratives
sequence people/characters in time and place but differ from
recounts in that through the sequencing, the stories set up one or
more problems, which must eventually find a way to be resolved. The
common structure or basic plan of narrative text is known as the
"story grammar". Although there are numerous variations of the story
grammar, the typical elements are:

 Settings – when and where the story occurs.

 Characters – the most important people or characters in the story.
 Plot – the events of the story, consisting of the initiating event--an
action or occurrence that establishes a problem and/or goal--one
or more attempts by the main character(s) to achieve the goal or
solve the problem, and the Resolutions--the outcome of the
attempts to achieve the goal.
 Conflicts/goal – the focal point around which the whole story is
organized.
 Theme – the underlying meaning of the story...why the author
wrote it...a truth he wants us to learn or realize from the story.
Theme isn't specifically stated--it must be discerned.
The graphic representation of these story grammar elements is called
a story map. The exact form and complexity of a map depends, of
course, upon the unique structure of each narrative and the personal
preference of the teacher constructing the map.
Kinds of narrative
There are many kinds of narrative. They can be imaginary, factual or
a combination of both. They may include fairy
stories, mysteries, science fiction, romances, horror
stories, adventure stories, fables, myths and legends, historical
narratives, ballads, slice of life, personal experience, or historical.

Features:

 Characters with defined personalities/identities.

 Dialogue often included - tense may change to the present or the
future.
 Descriptive language to create images in the reader's mind and
enhance the story.
Structure
In a Traditional Narrative the focus of the text is on a series of
actions:

Orientation
(Introduction) in which the characters, setting, and time of the
story are established. Usually answers who? When? Where?
E.g. Mr. Wolf went out hunting in the forest one dark gloomy
night.
Complication or problem
The complication usually involves the main character(s) (often
mirroring the complications in real life).
Resolution
There needs to be a resolution of the complication. The
complication may be resolved for better or worse/happily or
unhappily. Sometimes there are a number of complications that
have to be resolved. These add and sustain interest and
suspense for the reader.
Further more, when there is plan for writing narrative texts,
the focus should be on the following characteristics:

 Plot: What is going to happen?

 Setting: Where will the story take place? When will the
story take place?
 Characterization: Who are the main characters? What do
they look like?
 Structure: How will the story begin? What will be the
problem? How is the problem going to be resolved?
 Theme: What is the theme / message the writer is
attempting to communicate?
Expository text type[edit]
It aims at explanation or procedure, i.e. the cognitive
analysis and subsequent syntheses of complex facts.
Example: An essay on "Rhetoric: What is it and why do we
study it?"

There is a chance that your work may fall flat if you have not
chosen one of the really good expository essay topics. Not
all topics out there are interesting or meaty enough to be
thoroughly investigated within a paper. Make sure you put
effort into choosing a topic that has a lot of material to cover
it and pique the interest of readers!

 Trending Topics: Are there any hot issues that deserve

some deep discussion? If so, consider educating people
on this seemingly new occurrence through the use of a
well-written essay.
 Example: Cultural and Historical Shifts.
 A topic close to your heart: It is easy much easier to
defend a thesis if you find yourself passionately thinking
about the topic. If you have an advocacy and want to
inform others, choose this path and you might be able to
sway beliefs!