Types of Discourse
1. Narration – is the act or process of narrating or telling a story. It involves action, characters, and a
theme. Narration can be incident , anecdote, historical account , autobiography, biography or a novel.
Example:
A narrative account of a student’s near death experience; a fictive story about an encounter with
supernatural being.
2. Description – uses sensory writing with rich and vivid details that appeal to man’s five senses – sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. Figures of Speech are often used to enhance the sensory experience of the readers. It involves careful selection and arrangement
of details and accurate word usage.
Example:
A student’s description of his ideal teacher; a writer’s description of a locale he has recently visited; a
descriptive article on a festive celebration of a town’s patron saint.
3. Exposition or expository writing – provides information about one or more topics. It informs, explains, expounds and interprets. Expository writing includes exemplification or classification, comparison and contrast, cause and effect and problem-solution.
Example:
A research paper on the causes and effects of global warming, an article on child labor and child abuse.
4. Persuasive discourse or argumentation – persuades readers through proofs of the writer’s views.
Example:
An essay expounding on the retention or cancellation /cessation of the Visiting Forces Agreement; a commercial and advertisement (print ad) endorsing a student’s “manufactured” product.
A conversation involves a number of participants, at least two, who express their individual thoughts and emotions through spoken words. For them to understand, one another and to ensure a smooth flow of conversation, the spoken words must have connectedness.
The change in topic is simply marked by transitional words. In the same manner, transitional devices are used to show the relationship or connection between ideas in sentences and paragraphs
A written text as a connected discourse is a cohesive and organized piece of writing in which ideas flow logically and smoothly from one point to another. It is characterized by a deliberate and thoughtful arrangement of sentences and paragraphs, creating a unified and coherent structure. Several elements contribute to the connectedness of a written discourse. One of the elements is the use of TRANSITION WORDS.
The use of appropriate transition words facilitates the smooth transition between sentences and paragraphs. These words signal relationships between ideas, helping readers follow the author's train of thought.
Here is a list of common transitional words and the categories to which they belong.
1. To Add:
and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.)
2. To Compare:
whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, b
4. Why do you write?
There are four purposes writers use for writing:
a. to express themselves
b. inform their reader
c. to persuade a reader
d. or to create a literary work
5. Your purpose suggests a method of organization or logical arrangement
known as the pattern of development.
It could be a way of logically organizing the whole text or a just an individual
paragraph.
6. There are different patterns by which ideas are
developed
1. Narration – refers to a sequential telling of a story or recounting
of a series of events
-- means the art of storytelling
Example:
• Any time you tell a story to a friend or family member about an
event or incident in your day, you engage in a form of narration. In
addition, a narrative can be factual or fictional.
7. There are different patterns by which ideas are developed
2. Definition - Explains an idea, term or phrase using distinguishing
characteristics or synonyms.
- It is used to set working generalizations that help control
the meaning and scope of important terms or ideas
(Perelman, et al., n.d.)
Signal words often used for definition are:
•is defined as
•means
•is described as
•is called
•refers to
•term or concept
8. Denotation- the DICTIONARY
definition; the literal meaning of
the word
Connotation - the positive or
negative emotions associated
with the word;
- how the word makes
you feel
9. Let’s try
1. Palace
A. Denotation: Palace (noun)- the official residence of a sovereign,
archbishop, bishop, or other exalted person.
B. Connotation:
Royal Family, Wealth, Power, Influence
2. Community
A. Denotation: Community (noun)- a group of people living in the
same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
B. Connotation:
Brotherhood, Unity, Companionship, Cleanliness, Gossip
10. 3. Description – similar with narration for having many specific details, description “emphasizes
the senses by painting a picture of how something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels.
Description is often used to establish a mood or atmosphere” (Bedford, Freeman and Worth,
2019, p.2).
11. Description is not what you saw, but what readers need to see in order to imagine the
scene, person, object, etc.
Description requires you to record a series of detailed observations. Be especially careful to
make real observations. The success of a description lies in the difference between what a
reader can imagine and what you actually saw and recorded; from that gap arises a spark of
engagement.
Use sensory language. Go light on adjectives and adverbs. Look for ways to describe action.
Pay special attention to the sound and rhythm of words; use these when you can.
Think that your language is not so much describing a thing as describing a frame around
the thing–a frame so vivid that your reader can pour his or her imagination into it and “see”
the thing–even though you never showed it.
12. 4. Comparison and contrast – compares two things to highlight their subtle similarities and
differences. The author's intent is to describe a connection between two things by showing their
distinguishing and shared attributes (Bohaty, 2015).
Transitional expressions used in comparison:
•in the same way each of too
•and, also, in addition just as…so the same
•as well as similarly
•both, neither like
Transitional expressions used in contrast:
• Although however in contrast unlike
•Whereas conversely while
•But on the other hand yet
14. 5. Sequence – describes steps, events, processes, or procedures. There are three
types of Sequence: steps, timeline, and cycle. Regardless of the type, the author is
putting information in an order (Bohaty, 2015, p. 40).
Signal words often used for chronological order or sequence are:
•first, second, third
•before, after
•when
•later
•until
•at last
•next
• A sequence of events- is when events are listed in the order that they
occurred. They go in time order from the beginning to the middle to the end
without jumping around in time.
- it follows the progression of time, either forward or backward.
Historical topics are best organized using this pattern because readers are able to
understand a series of related events, when they happened, and what happened
before and after them.
A sequence of steps is when a process is written in the order that tasks were
done. Recipes and scientific procedures are written using this organizational
structure.
15. 6. Cause and effect – shows the linkage of causation – how events are influenced or
caused by another. “The author's intent is to tell us how an event always leads to an
outcome. The event is the cause and the outcome is the result. The relationship is
between the cause and the effect” (Bohaty, 2015, p. 40).
16.
17. 7. Problem and solution - divides information into two main sections, one that
describes a problem and one that describes a solution. Here, the author’s intent is to
discuss or propose a solution to a problem. The relationship between the problem and
the solution is explored (Bohaty, 2015).
18.
19. 8. Classification is a writing pattern where items or ideas are grouped into categories
based on shared characteristics, features, or criteria. It involves organizing information
into distinct classes or categories to facilitate understanding, comparison, and analysis.
This pattern helps readers grasp the similarities and differences between various
elements, making complex topics more manageable and comprehensible.
Thesis Statement: Regular exercise is essential for maintaining physical health.
Exemplification:
Regular exercise offers numerous benefits for physical health. For instance,
cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, swimming, or cycling help strengthen the heart
muscles, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Resistance training
exercises, such as weightlifting or bodyweight exercises, build muscle mass, increase
bone density, and enhance metabolic rate, leading to improved overall strength and
stamina. Additionally, flexibility exercises like yoga or stretching routines help improve
joint mobility, reduce muscle stiffness, and prevent injuries. By incorporating a variety of
exercises into one's routine, individuals can reap the full spectrum of benefits that regular
physical activity offers, ensuring long-term health and well-being.
20. Classification is a writing pattern where items or ideas are grouped into categories based on shared
characteristics, features, or criteria. It involves organizing information into distinct classes or
categories to facilitate understanding, comparison, and analysis. This pattern helps readers grasp
the similarities and differences between various elements, making complex topics more
manageable and comprehensible.
Example:
Topic: Types of Renewable Energy Sources
Classification:
Renewable energy sources can be classified into several categories based on their origins and
methods of generation.
1. Solar Energy:
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels
Solar Thermal Power Plants
2.Wind Energy:
Onshore Wind Turbines
Offshore Wind Farms
21. 3. Hydroelectric Energy:
Conventional Hydroelectric Dams
Run-of-River Hydroelectric Systems
4. Biomass Energy:
Wood and Agricultural Residues
Biofuels (e.g., biodiesel, ethanol)
5.Geothermal Energy:
Hydrothermal Systems
Geothermal Heat Pumps
By categorizing renewable energy sources into distinct types, readers can gain a
comprehensive understanding of the diverse options available for sustainable energy
production and their respective characteristics and applications.
22. There are different patterns by which ideas are developed. Some of themajor ones are
discussed below:
1. Narration – refers to a sequential telling of a story or recounting of a series of events
2. Definition - Explains an idea, term or phrase using distinguishing characteristics or
synonyms.
3. Description – similar with narration for having many specific details, description
“emphasizes the senses by painting a picture of how something looks, sounds, smells,
tastes, or feels.
4. Comparison and contrast – compares two things to highlight their subtle similarities and
differences.
5. Sequence – describes steps, events, processes, or
6. Cause and effect – shows the linkage of causation – how events are influenced or caused
by another.
7. Problem and solution - divides information into two main sections, one that describes a
problem and one that describes a solution.
23. 8. Exemplification/Classification
Exemplification is a writing pattern where specific examples are used to illustrate or
support a general statement, idea, or argument. It provides concrete evidence or
instances to make abstract concepts more understandable and relatable to the reader.
This pattern is particularly useful for clarifying complex ideas, strengthening arguments,
and engaging the reader's interest by providing vivid and relevant examples.
Classification is a writing pattern where items or ideas are grouped into categories based
on shared characteristics, features, or criteria. It involves organizing information into
distinct classes or categories to facilitate understanding, comparison, and analysis. This
pattern helps readers grasp the similarities and differences between various elements,
making complex topics more manageable and comprehensible.
24. Activity: Cause and Effect Relationship. Write the possible effect in
each number.
1. If we eat too much food and do not exercise,___________________________.
2. Mary studied hard for the chemistry exam, _______________________________.
3. Kendra left her bicycle outside, ______________________________.
4. It is too late so that __________________________________.
5. Ray was tired after the race __________________________________.
6. The thief ran as fast as he could ___________________________.
7. I helped my sister with her homework ___________________________.
8. The dog escaped out the front door ______________________________.
9. The movie was sold out_______________________________________.
10. The class behaved very well during the assembly _________________________.
25. Activity: Cause and Effect Relationship. Write the possible effect in
each number.
1. If we eat too much food and do not exercise, we may gain weight and become
unhealthy.
2. Mary studied hard for the chemistry exam, so she achieved a high grade.
3. Kendra left her bicycle outside, so it got stolen.
4. It is too late so that we missed the last train home.
5. Ray was tired after the race because he exerted himself physically.
6. The thief ran as fast as he could to escape from the pursuing authorities.
7. I helped my sister with her homework, so she finished it on time.
8. The dog escaped out the front door, causing chaos in the neighborhood.
9. The movie was sold out, so we couldn't get tickets to see it.
10.The class behaved very well during the assembly, earning praise from the
teachers.
26. Assignment: Write a minimum of one paragraph employing one of the text
structures discussed (one pattern, one paragraph). Be guided by the following
prompts
a. Definition – make a definition of the different classifications of community
quarantines in the Philippines
a. Sequence – explain how to properly wash your hands following the guidelines of
the authorities like WHO and DOH