We explain what text genres are, how they are classified, and we give you various examples. We also explain what text typologies are. Please read other MTV articles for more information. If you share it, it will be of little help to us.
What are text genres?
Text genres, also called discursive genres, are the different types of texts that can be formulated using verbal language. These are sets of texts organized based on their unique and distinctive features, defined by similarities in theme (what they are about), style (what resources they use), and composition (how they are structured).
Each area of human communication has its own modes of communication, which in turn constitute a text genre. Thanks to this, interlocutors can anticipate the specific needs and characteristics required in a given communicative situation and adapt their discourse to the appropriate features of length, content, and style. Thus, for example, a person communicates differently when giving an academic lecture than when sitting in a café with friends.
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Two main types of text genres are usually distinguished: primary genres (everyday communications, usually oral) and secondary genres (elaborate communications, mostly written). These should not be confused with literary genres, that is, with the different types of literary works that exist.
- Text genres according to Mikhail Bakhtin: The concept and classification of text genres are part of the theoretical proposals of the Russian philosopher of language Mikhail Bakhtin (1895-1975), who defined them as “stable forms” within verbal communication.
Characteristics of text genres
Although text genres can be very different from each other, in general terms they present the following characteristics:
- They are categories of discourse elaboration according to the situation and context. They are more or less stable types of verbal enunciation, which correspond to specific communicative needs.
- They respond to a theme, style, and composition. They address both the content of the text (theme) and its form (style) and structure (composition).
- They provide a horizon of expectations for communication. They allow recipients to anticipate the type of discourse that will be used in a given context.
- They can be of different natures. Since they respond to specific contexts, they can be very varied, but even so, they share certain minimal features that allow them to be studied together.
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Types of Text Genres
According to Mikhail Bakhtin’s postulates, discourse genres can be classified into two main categories, based on their complexity: primary or simple genres and secondary or complex genres.
Primary or Simple Genres
Primary genres are those that are characteristic of everyday communication, both oral and written. In general, they tend to be spontaneous, easy to understand, eloquent, and produced with very little planning.
For example: street conversations, telephone greetings, instant messaging, or informal emails.
Secondary or Complex Genres
Secondary genres are those that involve a greater degree of elaboration or planning, given that they are the product of more demanding communication. They are generally produced in writing, but can also be read or memorized.
For example: medical reports, literary works, political speeches, or newspaper articles.
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Differences between text genres and text typologies
Since text genres are, broadly speaking, sets of texts organized according to their style, content, and structure, their function is to generate a range of expectations for the interlocutor.
For example, a joke and a lecture belong to specific and distinct text genres. This allows recipients to anticipate the type of communicative exchange that will take place.
Text typologies, on the other hand, are ways of organizing texts according to their communicative function. Thus, a distinction can be made between:
Narrative texts
These texts offer the interlocutor a narrative or story, whether real or fictional.
Expository texts
These texts offer the interlocutor more or less detailed information from an objective point of view.
Argumentative Texts
These texts offer the interlocutor a set of reasons or arguments for adopting a particular point of view on a specific topic.
Instructive Texts
These texts provide the interlocutor with a set of instructions or steps to follow.
Descriptive Texts
These texts offer the interlocutor detailed descriptions of the features and characteristics of people, places, objects, or situations.
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Examples of Text Genres
Some examples of text genres are:
- Jokes
- Science articles
- Surveys
- Poems
- Popular songs
- Children’s riddles
- Newspaper chronicles
- Telephone conversations
References
All the information we offer is supported by authoritative and up-to-date bibliographic sources, ensuring reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- Bajtín, M. (2013). Aesthetics of Verbal Creation. 21st Century.
- Bolívar, A. (Ed.). (2007). Discourse Analysis: Why and What for? The Books of El Nacional.
- Loureda Lamas, Ó. (2003). Introduction to Text Typology. Arco Libros.
- Text genres – What they are, what they are, and examples – concepto.de
