What type of nonfiction text type is written to describe or classify a subject with facts?

Factual texts inform, instruct or persuade by giving facts and information.

Literary texts entertain or elicit an emotional response by using language to create mental images.

Students are often asked to present an assignment or project which may be one of these text types.

Below are lists of different text types, purposes and features that are included in the English K-6 syllabus. This list may provide hints to help with your child’s written task.

Always refer to the actual task requirements sent home with your child and remember the type of text used by a writer should suit the purpose and the audience.

Factual texts

Factual description

Describes a place or thing using facts.

Features:

• begins with an introductory statement
• systematically describes different aspects of the subject
• may end with a concluding statement.

Examples:

Factual recount

Gives instructions on how to make or do something.

Features:

• begins with a statement of goal (could be the title)
• lists materials needed in order of use
• gives a series of steps (instructions) in order
• each instruction begins with a verb in the present tense.

Examples:

• recipes
• instructions
• manual.

Information report

Classifies, describes and gives factual information about people, animals, things or phenomena.

Features:

• begins with a general classification or definition
• lists a sequence of related information about the topic
• ends with a concluding comment.

Examples:

Procedure

Gives instructions on how to make or do something.

Features:

• begins with a statement of goal (could be the title)
• lists materials needed in order of use
• gives a series of steps (instructions) in order
• each instruction begins with a verb in the present tense.

Examples:

• recipes
• instruction
• manual.

Procedural recount

Tells how something was made or done in time order and with accuracy.

Features:

• begins with a statement of what was made or done
• tells what was made in order
• written in the past tense.

Examples:

• documentaries
• retelling
• a science experiment and its results.

Explanation

Explains how or why something happens.

Features:

• starts by naming the topic
• describes items related to the topic in their right order
• explains how the items relate to each other and to the topic
• may end with a concluding statement
• may include visual images, e.g. flowcharts and diagrams, which support what is written in words
• written in the present tense.

Examples:

• the life cycle of a butterfly
• how gears work
• labelled diagrams
• flowcharts.

Persuasive texts

Persuasive texts are factual text types that give a point of view. They are used to influence or persuade others.

Exposition

Gives reasons for a point of view to try and convince others of it.

Features:

• begins with a sentence that gives a point of view on a topic
• lists the arguments giving reasons and evidence for them
• uses convincing language e.g. ‘will damage’ instead of ‘may damage’.

Example:

• A team’s argument for a debate.

Discussion

Gives different points of view in order to make an informed decision.

Features:

• begins with some background information leading to the issue
• lists arguments for and against, giving evidence for different points of view
• conclusion might sum up both sides or recommend one point of view.

Example:

• Should cars be banned from the inner city?

Literary texts

Literary description

Describes people, characters, places, events and things in an imaginative way.

Features:

• describes characteristic features of the subject, e.g. physical appearance, behaviour
• often forms part of other pieces of writing.

Examples:

• description of a character
• setting within a story.

Literary recount

Retells events from novels, plays, films and personal experiences to entertain others.

Features:

• begins with background information, e.g. character, time, place
• describes the events in time order
• may end with a personal comment about the characters or events.

Examples:

• A recount of a traditional story, e.g. The Gingerbread Man.
• A humorous and creatively interpreted recount of an ordinary incident that actually took place.

Personal response

Gives a personal opinion on a novel, play or film, referring to parts within the passage.

Features:

• describes how you feel about a novel, film, book or play
• lists what did and did not appeal to you
• may comment on some of the features of the writing.

Examples:

• What did you like about that artwork and why?
• Describe why you do or do not like this story/poem.

Review

Summarises, analyses and assesses the appeal of a novel, play or film, to a broader audience.

Features:

• describes how features (e.g. characters, plot, language features, humour etc) may or may not appeal

Examples:

• commentary on a film, play, book etc.

Narrative

Tells a story using a series of events.

Features:

• the scene is set in a time and place and characters are introduced
• usually has a problem that is addressed
• may contain a message for the reader.

Examples:

• picture books
• cartoons
• mystery
• fantasy
• adventure
• science fiction
• historical fiction
• fairy tales
• myths
• legends
• fables
• plays.

Answer:

There are four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, persuasive, and narrative. Each of these writing styles is used for a specific purpose. A single text may include more than one writing style.

EXPOSITORY

Expository writing is one of the most common types of writing. When an author writes in an expository style, all they are trying to do is explain a concept, imparting information from themselves to a wider audience. Expository writing does not include the author’s opinions, but focuses on accepted facts about a topic, including statistics or other evidence.

Examples of Expository Writing

●Textbooks

●How-to articles

●Recipes

●News stories (not editorials or Op-Eds)

●Business, technical, or scientific writing

DESCRIPTIVE

Descriptive writing is often found in fiction, though it can make an appearance in nonfiction as well (for example, memoirs, first-hand accounts of events, or travel guides). When an author writes in a descriptive style, they are painting a picture in words of a person, place, or thing for their audience. The author might employ metaphor or other literary devices in order to describe the author’s impressions via their five senses (what they hear, see, smell, taste, or touch). But the author is not trying to convince the audience of anything or explain the scene – merely describe things as they are.

Examples of Descriptive Writing

●Poetry

●Journal/diary writing

●Descriptions of Nature

●Fictional novels or plays

PERSUASIVE

Persuasive writing is the main style of writing you will use in academic papers. When an author writes in a persuasive style, they are trying to convince the audience of a position or belief. Persuasive writing contains the author’s opinions and biases, as well as justifications and reasons given by the author as evidence of the correctness of their position. Any “argumentative” essay you write in school should be in the persuasive style of writing.

Examples of Persuasive Writing

●Cover letters

●Op-Eds and Editorial newspaper articles

●Reviews of items

●Letters of complaint

●Advertisements

●Letters of recommendation

NARRATIVE

Narrative writing is used in almost every longer piece of writing, whether fiction or nonfiction. When an author writes in a narrative style, they are not just trying to impart information, they are trying to construct and communicate a story, complete with characters, conflict, and settings.

Examples of Narrative Writing

●Oral histories

●Novels/Novellas

●Poetry (especially epic sagas or poems)

●Short Stories

●Anecdotes