What is a text type?

The phrase ‘text type’ is a way of classifying and defining different types of language interaction, both spoken and written.

It refers to the purpose of a text and the way it is written.

U N IV ERSITY of C AM B RID G ELocal Exam inations Syndicate

Text Types• Process Descriptions instruction-giving process information-giving process

• Evocative Descriptions • Explanations cause & effect analysis classification definitions • Recounts: Narratives

personal factual

• Expository argumentation/persuasion comparison & contrast

U N IV ERSITY of C AM B RID G ELocal Exam inations Syndicate

Definitions: types and strategies to define a word .

Types of Context Clues

(from Plata et al., 2006)

Definition (see page 222)

formal definition

informal definition

Extended Definitions Exemplification

Experience clue

Comparison

Contrast

Synonym

Other Strategies to clarify meaning

(from Dadufalza, 1992)

Giving etymology (word origin)

Tracing history

Describing sensory experience

characteristics of a term, e.g.

sense of smell – sweet, aromatic;

sense of feel – rough, smooth, etc.

Translations

Associations

Details such as giving the kind, parts, etc.

Content Development of a Definition Text Analyze this excerpt from the selection “Words that Capture our World”. It is a paragraph developed by definition. Identify the type or kind of definition used to explain the word “metrosexual”. Sentences are numbered for easy reference.

1) Metrosexual and blingbling are such catch words. 2) They have recently become part of the American English vocabulary. 3) A few years back, metrosexual was known only among the fashionable white male professionals, and blingblings among the avant-garde hip hop artists . 4) By the way, for the unaware, metrosexual males are males who do not give a hoot about being identified as overly concerned with personal grooming and fashion. 5) Blingblings are flashy personal effects and accessories.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Content Development of a Definition TextParts of a Paragraph

1) Metrosexual and blingbling are such catch words. 2) They have recently become part of the American English vocabulary. 3) A few years back, metrosexual was known only among the fashionable white male professionals, and blingblings among the avant-garde hip hop artists . 4) By the way, for the unaware, metrosexual males are males who do not give a hoot about being identified as overly concerned with personal grooming and fashion. 5) Blingblings are flashy personal effects and accessories.

1 - introducer

2 & 3 background; history

4) formal definition metrosexual are males (genera/class )

who do not give a hoot about being identified as overly concerned with personal grooming and fashion. (differentia/specific difference)

5.informal definition

descriptions; kinds

?

1Utang na loob is a Filipino cultural trait which is characterized by a deep sense of obligation on the part of one who has received a favor from another. 2It is a debt of gratitude that makes the receiver beholden to the giver for the rest of his life. 3For example, a rich land-owner gives some money to his laborer who needs medicine for his sick child. 4Thereafter, the grateful laborer waits on the landowner, hand and foot, his whole lifetime.

Definition (synonym; translation)

1Utang na loob is a Filipino cultural trait which is characterized by a deep sense of obligation on the part of one who has received a favor from another. 2It is a debt of gratitude that makes the receiver beholden to the giver for the rest of his life. 3For example, a rich land-owner gives some money to his laborer who needs medicine for his sick child. 4Thereafter, the grateful laborer waits on the landowner, hand and foot, his whole lifetime.

?

1Paleoanthropology is not a will known term; it is not listed in the 1958 edition of Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. 2It meaning, however, is obvious; from its parts it means the study of the ancient culture of man. 3It is not necessarily different than prehistory but it does emphasize that it is the study of the culture of ancient man and not only his “history.”

Definition (etymological)

1Paleoanthropology is not a well known term; it is not listed in the 1958 edition of Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. 2It meaning, however, is obvious; from its parts it means the study of the ancient culture of man. 3It is not necessarily different than prehistory but it does emphasize that it is the study of the culture of ancient man and not only his “history.”

Definition ( )

1In its deepest sense, of course, nationalism does not only mean defending the country against invaders. 2It means raising the country to its feet, and throwing mendicancy or dependence. 3Nationalism’s greatest enemies are not external, they are internal. 4It is the colonial mentality that enslaves our minds that we as a people are no better than others. 5Nationalism’s greatest challenge was never expelling the foreign invaders.

Definition (Contrast)

1In its deepest sense, of course, nationalism does not only mean defending the country against invaders. 2It means raising the country to its feet, and throwing mendicancy or dependence. 3Nationalism’s greatest enemies are not external, they are internal. 4It is the colonial mentality that enslaves our minds that we as a people are no better than others. 5Nationalism’s greatest challenge was never expelling the foreign invaders.

?

1Most parents have common complaints about schooling: Expenses are getting higher. 2Matriculation fees may increase again. 3Textbook prices for all levels have likewise increased because of paper and printing expenses. 4Fares to and from school can be draining to a student’s allowance, which he then transfers to his parents. 5Prices of snacks have gone up, making many students abstain during certain periods. 6These complaints are common, both to parents sending their children to private schools, and to those with children in public schools.

Exemplification (Example) 1Most parents have common complaints about

schooling: Expenses are getting higher. 2Matriculation fees may increase again. 3Textbook prices for all levels have likewise increased because of paper and printing expenses. 4Fares to and from school can be draining to a student’s allowance, which he then transfers to his parents. 5Prices of snacks have gone up, making many students abstain during certain periods. 6These complaints are common, both to parents sending their children to private schools, and to those with children in public schools.

? 1Tattoo work is done by a skillful artist who is well paid for his services. 2It is done by tracing the designs on the body with an ink, and then pricked into the skin with needles. 3The Biro is an indelible ink that is mixed with the blood and rubbed in the skin that can leave a permanent mark. 4Actually, tattoo is a scar darkened by the biro. 5Tattoo is actually painful, and it can cause some high fever and occasionally infection and death. 6But in spite of its possible fatal effect, many like to have a tattoo. 7It is done for aesthetic reason. 8However, others would have it for fashion. 9But for tribesman like the Mangyan, it is part of the cultural ritual and practices. 10Whatever, there can be varied reasons for wearing a tattoo.

? Information-Giving Process

1Tattoo work is done by a skillful artist who is well paid for his services. 2It is done by tracing the designs on the body with an ink, and then pricked into the skin with needles. 3The Biro is an indelible ink that is mixed with the blood and rubbed in the skin that can leave a permanent mark. 4Actually, tattoo is a scar darkened by the biro. 5Tattoo is actually painful, and it can cause some high fever and occasionally infection and death. 6But in spite of its possible fatal effect, many like to have a tattoo. 7It is done for aesthetic reason. 8However, others would have it for fashion. 9But for tribesman like the Mangyan, it is part of the cultural ritual and practices. 10Whatever, there can be varied reasons for wearing a tattoo.

1Sitting at the kitchen table, 32-year-old Caroline was distraught. 2She had just learned that her older sister, Susan, 46, had a mild stroke while teaching in her classroom. 3Less than two months before, their father died on high blood pressure. 4And in 1982, Carol’s mother had succumbed to arterial clogging and heart failure at age 65. 5Carol’s mind raced. 6Was her whole family destined to die of hypertension?

Narrative:

1Sitting at the kitchen table, 32-year-old Caroline was distraught. 2She had just learned that her older sister, Susan, 46, had a mild stroke while teaching in her classroom. 3Less than two months before, their father died on high blood pressure. 4And in 1982, Carol’s mother had succumbed to arterial clogging and heart failure at age 65. 5Carol’s mind raced. 6Was her whole family destined to die of hypertension?

What does ‘text form’ mean?

Texts can also be defined or classified according to their form: the overall shape and structure they take or the context in which they are found.

U N IV ERSITY of C AM B RID G ELocal Exam inations Syndicate

text type and text form

narrative expository Process

instruction

recount

diary

short story

letter

recipe

play

essay

t y p e

f o r m

What are the key features of different kinds of texts?

When considering a text we need to think about its:

– text structure– grammatical features– vocabulary

– topic (what about?)– purpose (why?)– audience/writer-reader relationship (who?)

context

language

features of a text type

Topic what the text is about

Purpose what text producer wants to achieve

Audience who the consumer is

Relationship

between P&C

who is the producer and consumer are vis-à-vis one another

Failure

in

colle

geFailu

re in

colle

ge

What might be a form of the text type in the example?What might be a form of the text type in the example?

What text type is the example?What text type is the example?

language features

pattern of organisation

tense, person, form of clauses etc etc

words used - depends on topic and audience

exampleexample

structure

grammar

vocabulary

text structure

the way the text is shaped

e.g. text type: expository

introduction ^ exposition ^ conclusion

As I was going to work yesterday I noticed 3 youths walking to school after 8 a.m. They were talking and laughing and seemed to be in no hurry to get there. It was reported in yesterday’s Straits Times that today’s young people had never worked harder at school. This was certainly not borne out by my observations. I believe that punctuality is a crucial aspect of working life. All young people need to learn this before they leave school. As parents & teachers, we must:– set a good example;– insist on punctuality;– support schools in their campaigns to promote

punctuality.

personalrecount

factualrecount

thesis

Process description instruction

expository

One day all his buttons had been ripped off so he had to hold his trousers up. The bell went to go home from school and Harry raced out of the classroom and his pants fell down. All the other children laughed.

Orientation

Complication

Resolution

Buttons

In a small village called Columpton there was a boy called Harry. Harry was always fighting and during fights his buttons were ripped off. His mother always nagged him about sewing on his buttons but Harry never did.

Now Harry sews his buttons on all the time, without even being asked.

• chicha

Eating chicharon with vinegar is a stimulating experience.

You can feel your mouth water as the moist, sour scent of

vinegar hits your nostrils, then flows down to your throat and

diffuses in your lungs. Eager to taste this scent, you pick up a

small piece of curled chicharon and dip it into the vinegar,

slowly, carefully, taking care not to soak the whole piece so as

to keep some of the salt in the chicharon. The air bubbles on its

surface crackle as they come into contact with the vinegar.

Then as you take a bite, you hear a high-pitched crunch and you

feel as if you were eating air. You taste the salt dissolving and

feel the bubble, tingling and clinging to your tongue. The acid

taste of vinegar mixes with the salt, giving you a flavor that

leaves your mouth watery and drooling for another taste of this

salt and vinegar combination.

Angela La O, student

Eating chicharon with vinegar is a stimulating experience.

You can feel your mouth water as the moist, sour scent of

vinegar hits your nostrils, then flows down to your throat and

diffuses in your lungs. Eager to taste this scent, you pick up a

small piece of curled chicharon and dip it into the vinegar,

slowly, carefully, taking care not to soak the whole piece so as

to keep some of the salt in the chicharon. The air bubbles on its

surface crackle as they come into contact with the vinegar.

Then as you take a bite, you hear a high-pitched crunch and you

feel as if you were eating air. You taste the salt dissolving and

feel the bubble, tingling and clinging to your tongue. The acid

taste of vinegar mixes with the salt, giving you a flavor that

leaves your mouth watery and drooling for another taste of this

salt and vinegar combination.

Angela La O, student

Eating chicharon with vinegar is a stimulating experience.

You can feel your mouth water as the moist, sour scent of

vinegar hits your nostrils, then flows down to your throat and

diffuses in your lungs. Eager to taste this scent, you pick up a

small piece of curled chicharon and dip it into the vinegar,

slowly, carefully, taking care not to soak the whole piece so as

to keep some of the salt in the chicharon. The air bubbles on its

surface crackle as it comes into contact with the vinegar.

Then as you take a bite, you hear a high-pitched crunch and you

feel as if you were eating air. You taste the salt dissolving and

feel the bubble, tingling and clinging to your tongue. The acid

taste of vinegar mixes with the salt, giving you a flavor that

leaves your mouth watery and drooling for another taste of this

salt and vinegar combination.

Angela La O, student

stimulating experience.mouth water sour scent of vinegar hitsyour nostrils, diffuses in your

lungs.

Eager to taste

air bubbles surface, crackles

high-

pitched crunch feel as if you were eating air.

salt dissolving tingling and clinging

acid taste

mouth watery drooling for another taste

feel the bubble,

stimulating experience.mouth water sour scent of vinegar hitsyour nostrils, diffuses in your

lungs.

Eager to taste

air bubbles surface crackle high-

pitched crunch feel as if you were eating air.

salt dissolving tingling and clinging

acid taste

mouth watery drooling for another taste

feel the bubble,

Eating chicharon with vinegar is a stimulating experience.

You can feel your mouth water as the moist, sour scent of

vinegar hits your nostrils, then flows down to your throat and

diffuses in your lungs. Eager to taste this scent, you pick up a

small piece of curled chicharon and dip it into the vinegar,

slowly, carefully, taking care not to soak the whole piece so as

to keep some of the salt in the chicharon. The air bubbles on its

surface crackle as they come into contact with the vinegar.

Then as you take a bite, you hear a high-pitched crunch and you

feel as if you were eating air. You taste the salt dissolving and

feel the bubble, tingling and clinging to your tongue. The acid

taste of vinegar mixes with the salt, giving you a flavor that

leaves your mouth watery and drooling for another taste of this

salt and vinegar combination.

Angela La O, student

coherence

• general – particular• chronological

• simple – complex• external – internal• problem – solution• question – answer

• cause – effect• claim – counter claim

patterns of text organisation

Eating chicharon with vinegar is a stimulating experience.

You can feel your mouth water as the moist, sour scent of

vinegar hits your nostrils, then flows down to your throat and

diffuses in your lungs. Eager to taste this scent, you pick up a

small piece of curled chicharon and dip it into the vinegar,

slowly, carefully, taking care not to soak the whole piece so as

to keep some of the salt in the chicharon. The air bubbles on its

surface crackle as they come into contact with the vinegar.

Then as you take a bite, you hear a high-pitched crunch and you

feel as if you were eating air. You taste the salt dissolving and

feel the bubble, tingling and clinging to your tongue. The acid

taste of vinegar mixes with the salt, giving you a flavor that

leaves your mouth watery and drooling for another taste of this

salt and vinegar combination.

Angela La O, student

stimulating experience.mouth water sour scent of vinegar hitsyour nostrils, diffuses in your

lungs.

Eager to taste

air bubbles surface crackle high-

pitched crunch feel as if you were eating air.

salt dissolving tingling and clinging

acid taste

mouth watery drooling for another taste

feel the bubble,

Topic

text type

text form

Purpose

Relationshipbetween P&C

Tone

Structure

Grammar

Vocabulary

chicharon

chicharon

Eating chicharon with vinegar is a stimulating experience. You can feel

your mouth water as the moist, sour scent of vinegar hits your nostrils,

then flows down to your throat and diffuses in your lungs. Eager to taste

this scent, you pick up a small piece of curled chicharon and dip it into the

vinegar, slowly, carefully, taking care not to soak the whole piece so as to

keep some of the salt in the chicharon. The air bubbles on its surface

crackle as they come into contact with the vinegar. Then as you take a

bite, you hear a high-pitched crunch and you feel as if you were eating air.

You taste the salt dissolving and feel the bubble, tingling and clinging to

your tongue. The acid taste of vinegar mixes with the salt, giving you a

flavor that leaves your mouth watery and drooling for another taste of this

salt and vinegar combination.