TEXT TYPES

TEXT TYPES

DESCRIPTION

Thesis Statement

gives the reader insight into the topic, letting

him/her know what the essay is about.
Without a thesis statement, the essay may
lack an argument, focus, clarity, and
continuity.

Narrative text

Descriptive text

presents fictional events / a story

describes the item / event / issue in detail

Expository

presents facts on the how and why of an

event and process

Argumentative

presents
and
discusses
pertaining to a topic or issue

arguments

THESIS STATEMENT
Composition classes stress the role of the thesis statement because it is the backbone of
collegiate composition.
1. Major types of thesis statements

Explanatory
announces the subject to the reader; it never declares a stance which needs
an argument to defend. These explanatory theses are evident in expository
essays and research essays.
Argumentative.
the thesis statement should be a claim, not a factual statement or a personal
response to a topic. It should be an idea that provokes opposition, a claim
that readers might choose to refute.

2. Your thesis statement should be specificit should cover only what you will discuss in
your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to
reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.
Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement :

An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors:
accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.
The paper that follows should:

Explain

the

analysis

Explain

the

challenge

of

the

college admission process.

facing

admissions counselors.

Example

of

an

expository

(explanatory) thesis statement:

The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying,
attending class, and socializing with peers.
The paper that follows should:

Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and
socializing with peers
Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue

community service projects before entering college in order to increase their
maturity and global awareness.

NARRATIVE

Narratives are works that provide an account of connected events. A synonym for
'narrative' is 'story'.
There are many types of literature that are considered narratives, including novels,
dramas, fables, folk tales, short stories, poetry, etc.
Narratives are found in cinema, music, and theatre.

Types Of Narrative
Style
Plot
Narrative
perspective

language chosen to tell a story, include metaphors, similes,

personification, imagery, hyperbole, and alliteration.
language chosen to tell a story, include metaphors, similes, personification,
imagery, hyperbole, and alliteration.
who is telling the story, include first person, second person, third person,
and third-person omniscient.

DESCRIPTIVE

uses a lot of great visual words to help you see the person,
place or thing they are writing about.

The writing can be poetic at times, and explain things in great

detail.

When you are reading descriptive writing you feel as if you are
there or can actually picture in your mind what they are describing.

Metaphors, similes and symbols are often used in descriptive

writing.

How To Write Descriptive Essay

1. Take time to brainstorm
If your instructor asks you to describe your favorite food, make sure that you jot down
some ideas before you begin describing it. For instance, if you choose pizza, you
might start by writing down a few words: sauce, cheese, crust, pepperoni, sausage,
spices, hot, melted, etc. Once you have written down some words, you can begin by
compiling descriptive lists for each one.
2. Use clear and concise language.
This means that words are chosen carefully, particularly for their relevancy in relation
to that which you are intending to describe.
3. Choose vivid language.
Why use horse when you can choose stallion? Why not use tempestuous instead
of violent? Or why not miserly in place of cheap? Such choices form a firmer image in
the mind of the reader and often times offer nuanced meanings that serve better
ones purpose.
4. Use your senses.
Remember, if you are describing something, you need to be appealing to the senses
of the reader. Explain how the thing smelled, felt, sounded, tasted, or looked.
Embellish the moment with senses.
5. What were you thinking.
If you can describe emotions or feelings related to your topic, you will connect with
the reader on a deeper level. Many have felt crushing loss in their lives, or ecstatic
joy, or mild complacency. Tap into this emotional reservoir in order to achieve your full
descriptive potential.
6. Leave the reader with a clear impression.

One of your goals is to evoke a strong sense of familiarity and appreciation in the
reader. If your reader can walk away from the essay craving the very pizza you just
described, you are on your way to writing effective descriptive essays.
7. Be organized.
It is easy to fall into an incoherent rambling of emotions and senses when writing a
descriptive essay. However, you must strive to present an organized and logical
description if the reader is to come away from the essay with a cogent sense of what
it is you are attempting to describe.

EXPOSITORY

Exposition is a type of oral or written discourse that is used to explain, describe, give
information or inform.
The creator of an expository text can not assume that the reader or listener has prior
knowledge or prior understanding of the topic that is being discussed.
One important point to keep in mind for the author is to try to use words that clearly
show what they are talking about rather then blatantly telling the reader what is being
discussed.

Pattern Name
Description
The author describes a
topic by listing
characteristics, features,
and examples. It provides
details about how
something looks, feels,
tastes, smells, makes one
feel, or sounds
Cue Words
for example,
the characteristics are...

Written and Graphic Example of the Pattern

Example of Descriptive Writing

Expository essays are written by students to demonstrate
their knowledge and understanding of a particular topic.
For example, a student might use a descriptive pattern to
emphasize the features and characteristics of a topic.
Sequential writing emphasizes the order of events, listing
items in numerical or chronological order. A writer might
use a comparison or contrast pattern to emphasize the
similarities or differences between two topics. A cause
and/or effect pattern shows the relationship between
events, while a problem/solution pattern shows a different
kind of relationship that discusses a problem and

suggests solutions. Variations of these patterns are

sometimes used, as well as a combination of patterns to
create an expository essay.
Sequence or Process
The author lists items or
events in numerical or
chronological order.
Cue Words
first, second, third; next;
then; finally
Example of Sequential Writing
Expository writing is intended to convey the writer's
knowledge about a topic. While different patterns may be
employed to create the essay, every essay contains the
same features: the introduction, the thesis, the body
paragraphs, and the conclusion. The introduction is the
first paragraph in the essay. The introduction contains
the thesis statement, one sentence that summarizes the
main idea of the essay. The body paragraphs follow the
introduction and explain the main topics. Lastly, the
conclusion is the final paragraph that restates the main
topics and and the thesis. Every expository essay
contains these features, in this order.
Comparison
The author explains how
two or more things are
alike and/or how they are
different. A comparison
essay usually discusses
the similarities between
two things, while
the contrast
essaydiscusses the
differences.

Cue Words
different; in contrast; alike;
same as; on the other
Example of Compare/Contrast Writing
hand

Expository writing has distinct features that distinguish it

from creative writing. The content of an expository essay
is factual and straight-forward while the content of a
creative story is imaginative and symbolic. Expository
essays are written for a general audience but creative
stories are designed for a specific audience. The writing
style of an expository essay is formal, standard and
academic, while a creative story uses an informal and
artistic style. The organization of an expository essay is
systematic and deliberate; on the other hand, the
organization of a creative story is more arbitrary and
artistic. Finally, the most important difference between
the two types of writing is the purpose of the text. An
expository essay is written to inform and instruct, while a
creative story is written to entertain and captivate.
Cause / Effect
The author focuses on
the relationship between
two or more events or
experiences. The essay
could discuss
both causes and effects,
or it could simply address
one or the other. A cause
essay usually discusses
the reasons why
something happened.
Example of Cause/Effect Writing
An effect essaydiscusses
what happens after a
There are several reasons why so many people attend
specific event or
the Olympic games or watch them on television. One
circumstance.
reason is tradition. The name Olympics and the torch and
flame remind people of the ancient games. People can
Cue Words
escape the ordinariness of daily life by attending or
reasons why; if...then; as
watching the Olympics. They like to identify with
a result; therefore;
someone else's individual sacrifice and accomplishment.
because
National pride is another reason, and an athlete's or a
team's hard earned victory becomes a nation's victory.
There are national medal counts and people keep track
of how many medals their country's athletes have won.

Problem / Solution
The author states a
problem and lists one or
more solutions for the
problem. A variation of
this pattern is the
question- and-answer
format in which the author
poses a question and
then answers it.

Example of Problem/Solution Writing

One problem with the modern Olympics is that it has

become very big and expensive to operate. The city or
country that hosts the games often loses a lot of money.
Cue Words
A stadium, pools, and playing fields must be built for the
the problem is; the
athletic events and housing is needed for the athletes
dilemma is; puzzle is
who come from around the world. And all of these
solved; question... answer facilities are used for only 2 weeks! In 1984, Los Angeles
solved these problems by charging a fee for companies
who wanted to be official sponsors of the games.
Companies like McDonald's paid a lot of money to be
part of the Olympics. Many buildings that were already
built in the Los Angeles area were also used. The
Coliseum where the 1932 games were held was used
again and many colleges and universities in the area
became playing and living sites.

ARGUMENTATIVE

We not only give information but also present an argument with the supporting ideas
and opposing ideas of an argumentative issue.
We should clearly take our stand and write as if we are trying to persuade an
opposing audience to adopt new beliefs or behavior.
The primary objective is to persuade people to change beliefs that many of them do
not want to change.

Choosing an argumentative topic is not an easy task. The topic should be such that

it should be narrowed down

X Marijuana should be considered illegal. (Not a good topic because it is too general.
In some medical cases, marijuana is prescribed by the doctors and the patients are
encouraged to use it in case of suffering from too much pain)
Selling and using marijuana in public places should be considered illegal.

it should contain an argument

X We should decide whether we want a bicycle or a car. (our stand is not clear: do
we support having bicycles or cars?)
If we are under the age of 30 and want a healthy life, we should definitely get a
bicycle instead of a car.

X Are you one of those who thinks cheating is not good for students? (a question
cannot be an argument)
Cheating helps students learn.

X Considering its geological position, Turkey has an important geopolitical role in the
EU. (facts cannot be arguments)
Considering its geopolitical role, we can clearly say that the EU cannot be without
Turkey.

it should be a topic that can be adequately supported (with statistics, outside source
citations, etc.)
X I feel that writing an argumentative essay is definitely a challenging task. (feelings
cannot be supported; we cannot persuade other people)

If you believe that you can find enough evidence to support your idea and refute others
effectively, you can choose challenging topics as well. You can enjoy writing about such
topics:
Cheating is beneficial for students.
Murat 124 is a very good choice for conscientious drivers.
Stress is good for the human body.
Polygamy is quite natural.
For women, there is no need for men.
Organization: All argumentative topics have supporting ideas and opposing. Before starting
writing, it is imperative to make a list of these ideas and choose the most suitable ones
among them for supporting and refuting.
There are three possible organization patterns :
Pattern 1:
Thesis statement :

S u p p o r t in g
id e a 1

O p p o s in g id e a + R e f u t a t io n ( s )
C o n c lu s io n

S u p p o r t in g
id e a 2
Pattern 2:
Thesis statement:

O pposing idea +
R efutation (s)

S upporting idea
2

Supporting idea
1

C onclusion

Pattern 3:
Thesis statement:

Opposing idea
1-->Refutation

Opposing idea
2-->Refutation

Opposing idea
3-->Refutation

Conclusion

Language: Signposts gain importance in the argumentative essay. They enable the readers
to follow our arguments easily.
1. When pointing out opposing arguments (CONs):
Opponents of this idea claim / maintain that
Those who disagree / are against these ideas may say / assert that
Some people may disagree with this idea.
2. When stating specifically why they think like that:
The put forward this idea because

They claim that since

3. Reaching the turning point:

However,
but
On the other hand,
4. When refuting the opposing idea, we may use the following strategies:
compromise but prove that their argument is not powerful enough:
They have a point in thinking like that.
To a certain extent they are right.

completely disagree:
After seeing this evidence, there is no way we can agree with what
they say.

say that their argument is irrelevant to the topic:

What we are discussing here is not what they are trying to prove.
Their argument is irrelevant.