GENRE (KINDS OF TEXTS)

A genre is defined as a category assigned on the basis of external criteria

such as intended audience, purpose, and activity type, that is, it refers to a
conventional, culturally recognised grouping of texts based on properties other
than lexical or grammatical occurrence features, which are, instead, the internal
(linguistic) criteria forming the basis of text type categories.
Genre categories are determined on the basis of external criteria relating to
the speaker's purpose and topic; they are assigned on the basis of use rather than
on the basis of form.

Genre much deals with kinds of texts. It has :

 The purpose of the text, and the writer/reader relationship:

What does the text need to achieve and how does it relate to the reader? A good
lab report does not only state what has been done, but also identifies the
significance of the findings.
 The selection of topic and evidence:
What makes an appropriate topic? What counts as evidence? For a lab report,
the topic will usually be given, and evidence can be obtained through
experiments. For other genres, evidence may have been found in life
experiences and ideas instead.
 Organization and format:
What are the typical sections? The typical structure of a lab report may include
introduction; methodology; results/findings; discussion (including limitations)
and conclusion.
 Style:
How does the writer position himself/herself in terms of formality or
informality? Is the writing impersonal and distant, or personal and
conversational? For example, the use of “I” tends to be avoided in lab reports.
This has implied the distancing of the writer from the audience and the
incorporation of formality into the genre.
 The projected identity of the writer:
What kind of personality is appropriate for the genre? When it comes to lab
reports, the writer needs to sound scientific, objective, cautious and detached.
Types of genre

There are two main categories of text type:  literary and factual.

1. Literary text type: 

1) Narrative

2)   Poems

3)   Drama

These text types are used to tell us about human experience usually in an
imaginative way.

Their purpose is to make readers or listeners think, laugh, cry or be entertained.

2. Factual text type 

1)   Recount                    11) Discussion

2)   News item                 12) Review

3)   Procedure                  13) Anecdote

4)   Description

5)   Narrative

6)   Report

7)   Analytical Exposition

8)   Hortatory Exposition

9)   Spoof

10)   Explanation

Poetry is the first major literary genre. All types of poetry share specific
characteristics. In fact, poetry is a form of text that follows a meter and rhythm
with each lines and syllables. It is further subdivided into different genres such
an epic poem, narrative, romantic, dramatic, and lyric. Dramatic poetry includes
melodrama, tragedy and comedy, while other poems includes ode, sonnet,
elegy, ballad, song and epics.
 Drama is a form of text that is performed in front of an audience. It is also
called a play. Its written text contains dialogues, and stage directions. This
genre has further categories such as comedy, tragedy, tragicomedy etc
It is a kind of written text different from poetry in that it has complete
sentences organized into paragraphs. Unlike poetry, prose focuses on characters
and plot than focusing on sounds. It includes short stories and novels, while
fiction and non-fiction are its sub genres. Prose is further categorized into
essays, speeches, sermons and interpretations.
Fiction has three categories that are, realistic, non-realistic and semi-
fiction. Usually, fiction work is not real and therefore, authors can use complex
figurative language to touch readers’ imagination. Unlike poetry, it is more
structured, follows proper grammatical pattern and correct mechanics. A
fictional work may incorporate fantastical and imaginary ideas from everyday
life. It comprises some important elements such as plot, exposition,
foreshadowing, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
Non-fiction is a vast category that also has sub-genres; it could be
creative like personal essay, and factual like scientific paper. It may also use
figurative language, however, not abundantly like poetry, or fiction has.
Sometimes, it may tell a story like autobiography, or sometimes it may convey
the information to the readers.

Kinds of genre
1.Narrative Text
a. Definition
Narrative text is a story with complication or problematic events and it tries to
find the resolutions to solve the problems. An important part of narrative text is
the narrative mode, the set of methods used to communicate the narrative
through a process narration.

b. Purpose
The purpose of narrative text is to amuse or to entertain the reader with a story.

c.Generic Structure
Orientation (Sets the scene) : where and when the story happened and
introduces the participants of the story: who and what is involved in the story.
Complication : Tells the beginning of the problems which leads to the crisis
(climax) of the main participants.
Resolution : The problem (the crisis) is resolved, either in a happy ending or in
a sad (tragic) ending
Re-orientation/Coda : This is a closing remark to the story and it is optional. It
consists  of  a  moral  lesson,  advice  or  teaching  from  the writer

d.Language Features
Using processes verbs
Using temporal conjunction
Using Simple Past Tense
Using relative clause
Using direct speech and indirect speech
Using Action Verb

2.Recount Text
a.Definition
Recount is a text which retells events or experiences in the past. There is no
complication among the participants and that differentiates from narrative

b.Purpose
Its purpose is either to inform or to entertain the audience.

c.Generic Structure
Orientation : Introducing the participants, place and time
Events : Describing series of event that happened in the past
Reorientation : It is optional. Stating personal comment of the writer to the story

d.Language Features
Introducing personal participant; I, my group, etc
Using chronological connection; then, first, etc
Using linking verb; was, were, saw, heard, etc
Using action verb; look, go, change, etc
Using simple past tense

3.News Item
a.Definition
News item is a text which informs readers about events of the day. The events
are considered newsworthy or important.

b.Purpose
To inform readers about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or
important

c.Generic Structure
Main Events: The main event which deserves to be news.
Elaboration: A description of the background of the event; the people involved
in the incident; where events occurred, and others
Resource of Information [Source]: The source of news; comments of the
witnesses; opinions of experts, and others.
d.Language Feature
Focusing on circumstances
Using material process
Passive voice
Saying verbs
Action verbs

4.Procedure Text
a.Definiton
Procedure is a text that show a process in order. Its social function is to describe
how something is completely done through a sequence of series.

b.Purpose
To help us do a task something. They can be set of instractions or direction.

c.Generic Structure
Goal: showing the purpose
Material: Telling the needed materials
Step 1-end: Describing the steps to achieve the purpose

d.Language Features
Using temporal conjunction
Using action verb
Using imperative sentence
Using Simple Present Tense

5.Descriptive text
a.Definition
Descriptive text is a text which say what a person or a thing is like.

b.Purpose
Its purpose is to describe and reveal a particular person, place, or thing.

c.Generic Structure
Identification ; identifying the phenomenon to be described.
Description ; describing the phenomenon in parts, qualities, or/and
characteristics.

d.Language Feature
Using attributive and identifying process.
Using adjective and classifiers in nominal group.
Using simple present tense
Using noun phrase

6.Report Text
a.Definition
Report is a text which presents information about something, as it is. It is as a
result of systematic observation and analysis

b.Purpose
To presents information about something, as it is.

c.Generic Structure
General classification: Stating classification of general aspect of thing; animal,
public place, plant, etc which will be discussed in general
Description: Describing the thing which will be discussed in detail; part per part
, customs or deed for living creature and usage for materials

d.Language Feature of Report

Introducing group or general aspect
Using conditional logical connection; when, so, etc
Using simple present tense

7.Analytical Exposition
a.Definition
A text that elaborates the writer‘s idea about the phenomenon surrounding.

b.Purpose
Its social function is to show the readers that the idea is the  important matter.

c.Generic Structure
Thesis: Introducing the topic and indicating the writer’s position
Arguments: Explaining the arguments to support the writer’s position
Reiteration: Restating the writer’s position

d.Language Features
Using relational process
Using internal conjunction
Using causal conjunction
Using Simple Present Tense
8.Spoof Text
a.Definition
Spoof is a text which tells factual story, happened in the past time with
unpredictable and funny ending.

b.Purpose
Its social function is to entertain and share the story.

c.Generic Structure
Orientation : provides an introduction to the characters, setting, settings etc..
Events : provides even or events
Twist : ending the story (the ending is considered funny, sometimes
unexpected)

d.Language Feature
Focusing on people, animals or certain thing
Using action verb; ate, ran, etc
Using adverb of time and place
Told in chronological order

9.Hortatory Exposition 
a.Definiton
Hortatory Exposition is a type of English text that influences the reader to do
something or act in a certain way. In Hortatory Exposition, there are some
opinions about certain things to reinforce the main ideas of the text.

b.Purpose
The Purpose Hortatory exposition is to presenting and influencing the readers
that should be so, and should not be.

c.Generic Structure
Thesis : The contain of thesis is introduction to the main idea of a effect or
event that will be raised or discussed.
Arguments : The contain of argument is the opinions of the writer that support
the main idea. The more opinions the authors write, the more attractive a
Hortatory Exposition Text, because readers tend to believe in an event if there
are many opinions that support in it.
Recommendation : Recommendation contains a recommendation or solicitation
writer to the reader.

d.Language Features
Focusing on the writer
Using abstract noun; policy, advantage, etc
Using action verb
Using thinking verb
Using modal adverb; certainly, surely, etc
Using temporal connective; firstly, secondly, etc
Using evaluative words; important, valuable, trustworthy, etc
Using passive voice
Using simple present tense

10.Explanation Text
a.Definition
Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social,
scientific and cultural phenomena. Explanation text is to say ‘why’ and ‘how’ of
the forming of the phenomena. It is often found in science, geography and
history text books.

b.Purpose
The writer's purpose is to explain how something works or state reasons for
some phenomenon. Explanations answer the questions "how" or "why".

c.Generic structure of Explanation

General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained.
Sequenced explanation; stating a series of steps which explain the phenomena.

d.Language Features
Featuring generic participant; sun, rain, etc
Using chronological connection; to begin with, next, etc
Using passive voice pattern
Using simple present tense
often have a logical sequence
use cause/effect relationships (then, as a consequence, so, if)
use time relationships (first, then, following, finally)
written in the 'timeless' present tense (are, turns, happens)
use of action verbs (falls, rises, changes)
use of non-human participants (the sea, the mountains, the computers, the
engine)
conjunctions (when, then, first, after this so)
some passives (is saturated, are changed)
use of nouns tends to be general rather than specific (cars, boats, spiders,
schools)
use of pronouns (their, they, them)

11.Discussion Text 
a.Definition
Discussion is a text which present a problematic discourse. This problem will be
discussed from different viewpoints. Discussion is commonly found in
philosophical, historic, and social text.

b.Purpose
To present information and opinions about issues in more one side of an issue
(‘For/Pros’ and ‘Against/Cons’)

c.Generic Structure
Statement of issue; stating the issue which is to discussed
List of supporting points; presenting the point in in supporting the presented
issue
List of contrastive point; presenting other points which disagree to the
supporting point
Recommendation; stating the writer' recommendation of the discourse

d.Language Feature
Introducing category or generic participant
Using thinking verb; feel, hope, believe, etc
Using additive, contrastive, and causal connection; similarly, on the hand,
however, etc
Using modalities; must, should, could, may, etc
Using adverbial of manner; deliberately, hopefully, etc
Using conjuction

12.Review Text
a.Definition
Review is a text which presents critical analysis on events or works for readers
or public audiences.

b.Purpose
To critique or evaluate an art work or event for a public audience

c.Generic Structure
Orientation : Background information of the text.
Evaluations : Concluding statement (judgement, opinion, or recommendation. It
can consist ot more than one.)
Interpretative Recount : Summary of an art works including character and plot.
Evaluative Summation : The last opinion consisting the appraisal or the punch
line of the art works  being criticized.
d.Language Feature
Focusing on certain participants
Using adjectives; bad, good, etc
Using complex clauses
Using metaphor

13.Anecdote Text
a.Definition
Anecdote is a text which retells funny and unusual incidents in fact or
imagination.

b.Purpose
To tell an event with a humorous twist and entertain the readers.

c.Generic Structure
Abstract : The structure of the first language of the Abstract Text anecdote.
Abstract In this section, the authors usually begin introducing odd or unusual
events what would telling. There are some anecdote Text Abstract of the
sentence beginning with the use of questions, but not all use the Text Abstract
of anecdote or questions.
Orientation : The structure of the second language of the anecdote Text
Orientation. As in Narrative Text, Text Orientation in the anecdote also tells
who, when, and where the incidence of odd or unusual events occurred.
Crisis : The structure of the third language of anecdote Text is Crisis. In this
section telling the odd or unusual events occurred. The authors recount the
incident in detail.
Reaction / Incident : Linguistic structure of the last of the Coda Text anecdote.
At the Coda, the author tells the story of how the subject (perpetrator) to solve
the problem and the end of the odd or unusual event such.

d.Language Features
Using exclamations, rhetorical question or intensifiers
Using material process
Using temporal conjunctions
Using the past tense (past time)
Using rhetoric question (rhetorical question)
Using the conjunction of time (the conjunction of time)
Using action verbs (action verb)
Using sentence imperative (command line)

Ex genre
Snow White
 
(Orientation)
 Once upon a time there lived a little girl named Snow White. She lived with her
Aunt and Uncle because her parents were dead.
(Complication)
 One day she heard her Uncle and Aunt talking about leaving Snow White in the
castle because they both wanted to go to America and they didn‟t have enough
money to take Snow White. Snow White did not want her Uncle and Aunt to do
this so she decided it would be best if she ran away. The next morning she ran
away from home when her Aunt and Uncle were having  breakfast. She ran
away into the woods.
(Resolution)
 Then she saw this little cottage. She knocked but no one answered so she went
inside and fell asleep. Meanwhile, the seven dwarfs were coming home from
work. They went inside. There they found Snow White sleeping. Then Snow
White woke up. She saw the dwarfs. The dwarfs said, “what is your name?”
Snow White said, “My name is Snow White.” Doc, one of the dwarfs, said, “If
you wish, you may live here with us.” Snow White said, “Oh could I? Thank
you.” Then Snow White told the dwarfs the whole story and finally Snow White
and the 7 dwarfs lived happily ever after.

Daftar pustaka
http://www.academia.edu/8485897/14_GENRE_BAHASA_INGGRIS
https://literarydevices.net/genre/
http://fatwarohman.blogspot.co.id/2014/04/english-text-types-genre-of-text.html
http://www.ln.edu.hk/eng/genres/
https://rusmanhaji.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/genre-jenis-text/
http://fatwarohman.blogspot.co.id/2014/04/english-text-types-genre-of-text.html
http://llt.msu.edu/vol5num3/lee/