6 Text Genres

A.  Definition of 6 Text Genres

a.  Recount

1. Social function recount: To tell the readers what happened in the past through a sequence of events.

2. Generic Structure of Recount:

1. Orientation (who were involved, when and where was it happened)

2. Events (tell what happened in a chronological order)

3. Re-orientation (optional – closure of events)

3. Language features Recount:

· Use of pronouns and nouns (David, he, she)

· Use of action verbs in past (went, studied)

· Use of past tense (We went for a trip to the zoo)

· Use of adverbial phrases

· Use of adjectives

b. Report

1. Social function report: To describe the way things are (for example: a man –made thing, animals, and plants). The things must be a representative of their class.

2. Text organization report:

1. General classification (introduces the topic of the report/tells what phenomenon under discussion is.­)

2. Description (tell the details of topic such as physical appearance, parts, qualities, habits / behavior).

3. Language features report:

· Use of general nouns (Whales, Kangaroo, Computer)

· Use of present tense (Komodo dragons usually weigh more than 160 kg)

· Use of behavioral verbs (Snakes often sunbathe in the sun)

· Use of technical terms (Water contains oxygen and hydrogen)

· Use of relating verbs (is, are, has)

c. Anecdote/ Spoof

1. Social function spoof: To tell an event with a humorous twist.

2. Generic structure spoof text:

1. Orientation (who were involved, when and where was happened)

2. Events (tell what happened in a chronological order)

3. Twist (provide the funniest part of the story)

3. Language features spoof:

· Use of connectives (first, then, finally)

· Use of adverbial phrases of time and place (in the garden, two days ago)

· Use of simple past tense (he walked away from the village)

 d. Narrative

1. Social function narrative: To amuse or entertain the readers with actual or imaginary experience in different ways. Narrative always deals with some problems which lead to the climax and then turn into a solution to the problem.

2. Generic Structure Narrative:

1. Orientation (who was involved, when and where was it happened)

2. Complication (a problem arises and followed by other problems)

3. Resolution (provide solution to the problem)

3. Language features Narrative:

· Use of noun phrases (a beautiful princess, a huge temple)

· Use of adverbial phrases of time and place (in the garden, two days ago)

· Use of simple past tense (He walked away from the village)

· Use of action verbs (walked, slept)

· Use of adjectives phrases (long black hair)

 e.Procedure

1. Social function Procedure: To help us do a task or make something. They can be a set of instructions or directions.

2. Text organization:

1. Goals (the final purpose of doing the instruction)

2. Materials (ingredients, utensils, equipment to do the instructions)

3. Steps (a set of instruction to achieve the final purpose)

3. Language features:

· Use of imperative (Cut…... Don’t mix……..)

· Use of action verbs (turn, put)

· Use of connectives (first, then, finally)

 f. Description

1. Social Function descriptive: To describe a particular person, place or thing.

2. Generic Structure descriptive:

1. Identification (identify phenomenon to be described)

2. Description (describe parts, qualities, characteristics)

3. Language features descriptive:

· Focus on specific participants

· Use of attributive and identifying processes

· Frequent use classifiers in nominal groups.

· Use of the Simple Present Tense