05 Purposive Communication
Evaluating Messages and Images of Different Types of Text
I. Different Types of Text
A. Factual Texts – inform, instruct, or persuade by giving facts
and information
Source: schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au
order
• written in the past tense
6. Explanation – explains
how or why something
happens
• 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
7. Exposition – gives
reasons for a point of
view to try and convince
others of it
• 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’
8. Discussion – gives
different points of view in
order to make an
informed decision
• 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 (1) point of view
Types
Features
1. Factual description –
describes a place or
thing using facts
• begins with an
introductory statement
• systematically describes
different aspects of the
subject
• may end with a
concluding statement
2. Factual recount – retells
events which have
already happened in
time order
• begins with a background
information (who, when,
where)
• describes the series of
events in time order
• may end with a personal
comment
3. Information report –
classifies, describes,
and gives factual
information about
people, animals, things
or phenomena
• begins with a general
classification or definition
• lists a sequence of
related information about
the topic
• ends with a concluding
comment
4. Procedure – gives
instructions on how to
make or do something
• begins with a statement
of goal (could be the title)
• lists materials needed in
order of use and gives a
series of steps
(instructions) in order
• each instruction begins
with a verb in the present
tense
5. Procedural recount –
tells how something was
made or done in time
order and with accuracy
• begins with a statement
of what was made or
done
• tells what was made in
