Writing Forms

Writing Forms, Genres and Formats | Les types de discours, les genres et les types de textea

A text form refers to the function as well as the structure of a text. A text form is a category or type of text that has certain defining characteristics. Readers and writers consider text form to think about the purpose of a text and its intended audience. Writers may blend text forms and genres to suit their specific audience and purpose.

Genres are a way of categorizing texts that have similar literary styles, structures or themes. Each genre may lend itself to a variety of formats. Some genres can combine fictional and non-fictional content and may be imaginative or informational.

The format is the way in which a text form/genre is represented.

Text Forms | Les formes de discours

purposes for writing

Examples include:

Explanation | Le discours explicatif, didactique ou informatif

An explanation gives an account of some phenomenon. Explanations may clarify how something works or the process involved in actions, events or behaviours.

Examples include:

posters | les affiches,
letters | les lettres,
and advertisements | les annonces publicitaires.

Exposition or Opinion/Persuasive piece | Le discours incitatif, argumentatif ou persuasif

An exposition develops ideas and supporting details to present a logical argument from a particular point of view. Expository writing informs and explains.

Examples include:

editorials | les éditoriaux,
essays | les dissertations,
and critical reviews | les examens critiques.

Recount | Le récit

A recount tells what happened and may include the author’s personal interpretation of events. Recounts retell past events in the order in which they happened.

Examples include:

diaries | les journaux intimes,
biographies | les biographies,
and memoirs | les mémoires.

Electronic text | Le discours électronique

An electronic text digitally represents the written language with a computer. Normally an electronic text is either an electronic version of a written work or a document composed on the computer.

Examples include:

web pages | les pages web,
emails | les courriels,
and blogs | les blogues.

Narrative/Personal piece | Le discours narratif

A narrative may entertain and engage the reader in an imaginative experience, may seek to explain a phenomenon or may teach a lesson. Narrative writing tells a story.

Examples include:

Procedure | Le discours injonctif, prescriptif ou la marche à suivre

A procedure deals with the general way to do something. Procedures explain how something is done and tell how to perform a task or series of tasks.

Examples include:

rules | les règlements,
how-to articles | les conseils et les consignes,
instruction manuals | les manuels d’utilisation,
and mathematic investigations | les enquêtes en mathématiques.

Report | Le compte rendu

A report systematically organises and records factual information to classify and describe a whole class of things. Reports organize and record information.

Examples include:

magazine articles | les articles de revue,
research reports | les rapports de recherche,
and investigation reports | les rapports d’enquête.

Functional text | Le discours fonctionnel

A functional text helps the reader accomplish everyday tasks. Functional texts deal with everyday information and are used in everyday life for specific purposes.

Examples include:

lists | les listes,
menus | les menus,
pamphlets | les dépliants,
and schedules | les horaires.

Genres | Les genres de textes

categories of writing

Examples include:

Formats | Les types de textes

structures of writing

Examples include :