GENRE

•REPORT GENRE
•PROCEDURE GENRE
•EXPLANATION GENRE
•EXPOSITION GENRE
•DISCUSSION GENRE
 GENRE FUNCTION SCHEMATIC STRUCTURE LANGUAGE FEATURES
Report To describe the way things are, Consists of two main parts :  Focus on the generic
with reference to a whole range of  General Classification includes participants (groups of
phenomena, natural, culture, and optional technical classification things)
social, in our environment.  Description of: part and their  Use the simple present tense
function, qualities and habits/ unless shows extinction
behaviors, or uses if non-natural  No temporal sequence
 Relational clauses are used
(such as being and having)
Procedure To describe how something is Consists of two main parts :  Focus of generalized human
accomplished through a sequence  Goal agents
of actions or steps  Steps  Use simple presents tense
(plus sometimes imperative)
 Use mainly temporal
conjunctive relations
 Use mainly material (action)
clauses

Explanation To explain the processes involved
in the evolution of natural and
social phenomena or how
something works. It more about
processes than things.
Consists of two main parts :
 A General Statement to position
the reader
 Sequenced explanation of
why/how something occurs
 Focus on generic, non-human
participants
 Use simple present tense
 Use the temporal and causal
conjunctive relations
 Use mainly material (action)
clauses.
 Use some passive voices to
get the theme right.
 GENRE FUNCTION SCHEMATIC STRUCTURE LANGUAGE FEATURES
Exposition To forward a point of view, or an Consists of three main parts :  Focus on the generic
argument  Thesis : participants (groups of
o Position things)
o Preview  Use the simple present tense
 Arguments :  Use few temporal conjunctive
o Point relations, mostly logical
o Elaboration relations
 Reiteration/restatement of  Use of material (action) ,
thesis relational, and , mental
clauses
Discussion To present information about and Consists of three main parts:  Focus of generalized human
arguments for both sides of  Issue agents
topical issues, including with a o Statement of issue  Use simple presents tense
recommendation based on the o Preview  Use of logical conjunctive
weight of evidence.  Arguments for and against relations
o Points  Use of material (action) ,
o Elaboration relational, and , mental
 Recommendation clauses
o Summary
o Conclusion