NARRATIVE KEY FEATURES

PURPOSE: to entertain and enthral; to allow escape form the humdrum

TEXT STRUCTURE LANGUAGE FEATURES
Simple chronological  Written in first or third person
 Beginning, middle and end  Dialogue in differing tenses
 Opening (to include setting and  Mainly past tense (some narratives,
character), problem, build up (key especially oral texts use present
events), climax/complication, tense in increase sense of
resolution, authorial comment. immediacy/involvement)
 Verbs used to describe actions,
Other structures (more complex thoughts and feelings
chronological)  Figurative language – metaphor,
 Stories within stories (Badger’s simile, personification
Parting Gifts)  Literary effects – alliteration,
 Parallel plots assonance, words that describe
 Multi plots (running parallel and (adjectives, nouns and verbs), use of
touching at times (e.g. Eastenders) passive verb form
 Circular structures ( e.g. Rosie’s  Connectives that signal time (then,
Walk) next, afterwards, just then, an hour
 Cyclical structures (stories told by later etc.)
different characters, from different  Connectives used to shift attention
perspectives, sometimes of the same (at the very moment, meanwhile,
events) previously etc.)
 Connectives used to inject suspense
(suddenly, without warning etc.)
 Mixture of short simple sentence
structures (for suspense, dramatic
impact etc.) and long complex
sentences (to move plot forward, to
add detail and description in a n
economical way,
COMMON FORMS OF NARRATIVE:
 Science fiction and fantasy (imaginary worlds)
 Mystery adventure
 Ghost story
 Historical story
 Myth, legend, fable
 Traditional story
 EXPLANATION KEY FEATURES
PURPOSE: to explain how or why something happens
TEXT STRUCTURE LANGUAGE FEATURES
 Title often asks a question or defies  Present tense (the process is general)
the process to be explained  Time connectives and other devices
 Text usually opens with general to aid chronological structure
statement(s) to introduce the topic  Casual connectives and other devices
 A series of logical steps explaining demonstrating effect.
the process, usually in time order
 Often accompanied by diagram(s)
 Basic skeleton framework - a
flowchart
COMMON FORMS OF EXPLANATION TEXT
 Textbook
 Encyclopaedia entry
 Non-fiction book (e.g. geography, biology)
 Technical manual (e.g. for car, dishwasher)
 Question and answer articles and leaflets
 Write-up of science experiment
 INSTRUCTIONAL KEY FEATURES
PURPOSE: to tell someone how to do or make something
TEXT STRUCTURE LANGUAGE FEATURES
 Title or opening sets out what’s to be  Usually written in imperative, present
achieved tense (some instructions require third
 Starts with a list of items required person narrative)
 Often accompanied by diagram(s)  In time order (often numbered steps
 Sequenced steps in order to achieve and/or time connectives)
the goal – what to do in time order  Clear, concise language, e.g.
 Skeleton framework – a flowchart adjectives and adverbs chosen for
clarity rather than vividness and
effect.
 The author addresses an anonymous
reader , not a named individual.
Common forms of instruction text
 Recipe
 Technical manual (e.g. for car, computer)
 Non-fiction book ( e.g. sports skills, art)
 Timetable, route finder
 List of rules
 Posters, notices, signs
 Sewing or knitting pattern
 Instructions on packaging (e.g. cooking or washing instructions)
 RECOUNT KEY FEATURES
PURPOSE: to retell events (from either the point of view of someone who was there
or form an impersonal standpoint)
TEXT STRUCTURE LANGUAGE FEATURES
 Orientation: setting the scene –  Past tense
who, what, when, where?  Time connectives and other devices
 Sequential organisation – what to aid chronological structure
happened, in time order  First person or third person writing
 Closing statement(s) – bringing the  Focus on specific participants (named
writing to a satisfactory individuals/groups)
conclusion
 Basic skeleton framework - a
timeline
COMMON FORMS OF PERSONAL RECOUNT COMMON FORMS OF IMPERSONAL RECOUNT
 Letter  Non fiction book (e.g. history)
 Autobiography  Biography
 Diary or journal  Magazine article
 Newspaper report  Newspaper report
 Magazine article  Encyclopaedia entry
 Write-up of trip or activity  Obituary
 Account of science experiment  Account of science experiment
 DISCUSSION KEY FEATURES
Purpose: to present arguments and information from different viewpoints
Example: an answer to an essay question
Text structure Language features
 Opens with a clear statement of the  Generally present tense, third
issue under discussion person
 One of two types of organisation:  Formal impersonal style
Arguments for + supporting  Logical language constructions and
information followed by arguments connectives
against + supporting information  Connectives/language constructions
Argument/ Counter –argument, to show shifts from one point of
presented one point at a time view to the other.
 Arguments supported by evidence
and /or examples
 Reader must be clear which side
argues which point
 Skeleton frame work - a for-and-
against grid.

COMMON FORMS OF DISCUSSION TEXT

 Newspaper editorial
 Non-fiction book on an ‘issue’
 Exam answer in secondary education
 Write- up of a debate
 Formal essay
 Leaflet or article giving balanced account of an issue.
 PERSUASION KEY FEATURES
Purpose: to argue the case for a point of view
Example: an editorial from a spoof newspaper
Text structure Language features
 Opening statement of the  Present tense
case to be argued  Usually generic participants
 Arguments, given in the form  Logical language
of point plus elaboration constructions and
 Elaboration may be evidence, connectives
explanation, examples  Persuasive devices, often
 Conclusion: reiteration of the including emotive and
case and summary of the rhetorical language.
points
 Skeleton framework-
pronged bullet points
Common forms of discussion text
 Advertisement
 Catalogue
 Travel brochure
 Pamphlet from pressure group
 Political manifesto
 Newspaper or magazine article
 Poster or flier
 Book blurb
 Letter to the editor or editorial
 INFORMATION KEY FEATURES
Purpose: to describe the characteristics of something e.g. “Birds”, “Ancient Greece”
Example: an extract from a general encyclopaedia
Text structure Language features
 Introductory information about  Present tense (except historical
what is to be described: who, what, reports)
when, where? (overall classification)  Usually general nouns and pronouns
 Non-chronological organisation (not particular people or things)
 Description organised according to  Third person writing
categories or information  Factual writing, often involving
 Skeleton framework- a spidergram technical words and phrases.
COMMON FORMS OF INFORMATION WRITING
 Information leaflet
 School-project file
 Encyclopaedia entry
 Magazine article
 Non-fiction book
 Letter