6 types of texts for writing lovers

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The message is important, but so is the way of communicating it. That is why today we bring you different types of texts, talking about their most common format and recurring utilities.

We are surrounded by texts of a very different nature. Some try to explain to us how a certain object works, others seek to teach us about a particular subject, many are merely descriptive. There is also no shortage of those that are directly a product of advertising creativity.

Textual communication seems to be a dry subject, which in turn is considered outdated at a social level in most research articles. So, Why are we always so misinformed? Why do we so often misinterpret a message that seems simple at first glance?

Learning about the different types of texts is essential so we can learn to think for ourselves. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop good analytical skills to, in turn, correctly express what we want to tell the world.

Types of main texts

Narrative text

Narrative texts are those that, as their name indicates, tell some events that have occurred over time. These events are usually related to characters who, through one or more common threads, give shape to a story.

This may be based on real events or be fictitious, although it is generally sought the greatest possible verisimilitude/credibility in the text. To do this, we can use a narrator (or several), who can be in the first or third person; Sometimes, he can even be omniscient.

The narrative is structured in presentation, middle and end. Within this category we can find some informative narratives from the field of journalism, such as the chronicle and the report.

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Descriptive text

Texts that fall into this category are often mistakenly confused with technical or scientific texts. Despite what is often believed, the descriptive They are the result of a very complex reflection, that seeks to express an impression through words.

They try to capture, subjectively, the vision of a scene seen by the author, all animated by a specific aesthetic function. Of all the types of texts, descriptive is possibly the most focused on observation.

Almost any element can be described. From a physical and tangible object to an emotion or a feeling. In fact, it is usually a literary device widely used in novels and poems, and is usually especially rich in adjectives.

Expositive text

Expository text is related in some way to descriptive text. The exhibition tries to offer a topic to the recipient in a clear and precise way, and requires trained knowledge of the subject. Through the development of different ideas, the speaker seeks to explain something specific.

Within the types of expository texts We can find the informative modality and the specialized one. The first wants to report on a topic of general interest in the simplest way possible and the second requires more specific knowledge of the topic. We can find this type of texts in the scientific manuals, popular works, some journalistic articles and, of course, in any formal development of an exam.

Argumentative text

Argumentation consists of the presentation of a series of ideas or pillars – which function as arguments – to support a position. The argumentative texts They try to convince the recipient to think a certain way. It plays an especially important role in controversial and/or controversial topics.

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Its objective is to offer information that is as complete as possible and from a dialectical point of view, moves on probabilities, not certainties. Faced with an argument, there is usually room for a counterargument.

It consists of thesis, argumentative body and conclusion (just like the narrative text), although this structure is not always respected. In general, and given their characteristics, argumentative texts are very subjective and sometimes do not follow logical reasoning, but rather the point of view of the issuer.

“The most important thing in communication is to listen to what is not said.”

-Peter Drucker-

The essay: the hybrid of text types

The essay is a type of text that straddles between argumentation and exposition. Like the first, it has a markedly subjective character, uses quotes and various arguments from authority figures and institutions and its content is of a wide thematic variety.

The relationship it presents with the expository texts is based on the fundamental bases of the essay: precision, simplicity and clarity. Its structure is free, which allows it to cover countless topics and discover thousands of ramifications during the process.

Its main intention is to transmit truthful, interesting and well-founded information to the recipient, so it should be as brief as possible. For it, frequently uses literary language and colloquialisms.

The types of texts have many more elements in common than we usually think. Ultimately, the intention of any text is to serve as an inspiration (or as a source of information) for others, trying, in turn, to be as accessible as possible for the recipient’s understanding.

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If not, we will have managed to make a writer’s greatest fear come true: cause sleep and boredom to our audience with an overloaded, baroque and useless language.