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Understanding Discourse Types

The document discusses five main types of discourse: narrative, description, persuasive, argumentative, and expository. Narrative involves telling a story, description uses sensory details, persuasive aims to convince readers, argumentative puts forth a logical argument supported by facts, and expository delivers information about a subject. Discourse types are identified by examining the writer's purpose, main idea, language used, and organizational structure. A piece of writing may contain multiple types but one is usually dominant.

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219 views17 pages

Understanding Discourse Types

The document discusses five main types of discourse: narrative, description, persuasive, argumentative, and expository. Narrative involves telling a story, description uses sensory details, persuasive aims to convince readers, argumentative puts forth a logical argument supported by facts, and expository delivers information about a subject. Discourse types are identified by examining the writer's purpose, main idea, language used, and organizational structure. A piece of writing may contain multiple types but one is usually dominant.

Uploaded by

keishawna barracks
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Discourse Types

Discourse types, also known as


rhetorical modes, are types of
speaking and writing.
There are five main types of
discourse:

 Narrative
 Description
 Persuasive
 Argumentative
 Expository
Narrative writing involves telling a
story (narrating). Narration involves
several features, such as:

Narrative
 Point of view (first person or third
person)
 Characters
 Setting
 Plot
 Conflict
 Resolution
Descriptive

Descriptive writing features


descriptive words/phrases and
sensory images.
An effective piece of
descriptive writing should
make the reader feel as if he
or she is experiencing what is
being described.
Persuasive

The purpose of Persuasive


writing/speaking is to convince
the readers/listeners to change
their mode of thinking or to
persuade them to take a
specific action.
Persuasive techniques are often used
in:

 Advertisements

 Argumentative writing

 Political campaigns

Persuasion often appeals to emotion.


Argumentative

Argumentative writing/speaking
is similar to Persuasive
writing/speaking. However, the
argument is put forward in a
logical manner and is often
supported by facts.
Persuasive techniques are
often used in Argument.
The purpose of Expository writing, or
Exposition, is to deliver information
about an issue, subject, method, or
idea.

Expository
Types of Expository Writing include:
 Analogy
 Analysis
 Cause and Effect
 Classification
 Comparison and Contrast

 Definition

 Examples

 Process Analysis
What type of writing does each of the
following represent?

1. An examination of education in the


Caribbean
2. Tommy’s journey
3. Beautiful Barbados
4. Try our product today!
5. Extracurricular activities should be
mandatory in schools
Identifying Discourse Types
To identify a Discourse Type, you
must pay attention to:

 The writer’s purpose


 The main idea of the
speech/passage
 The type of language used
 The way the information is
organised
Very often, a speech/piece of writing
will include a combination of discourse
types.

However, one of the discourse


types should be clearly dominant.

Combinations of Discourse Types

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