What is a text genre?

Definition
	A text genre is a type of written or spoken discourse.

Discussion
	Texts are classified into genres on the basis of the intent of the communicator.

Examples

Here is a table showing some text genres and the communicator's intent for each genre.

Text genre	Communicator's intent is to . . .
Narrative	Tell about a sequence of events.
Procedural	Give instructions on how to do something.
Expository	Explain something.
Hortatory	Encourage someone to do something.
Descriptive	List the characteristics of something.

Source
	Larson 1984 365–366

Concept module: text genre
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): T
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004