Transcript Genre and purpose

Every passage that you read can be
classified as one of several types of writing:
○ Narrative
○ Persuasive
○ Poetic
○ Informational
○ Instructional
Knowing the type of passage you are
reading can help you understand the
passage better or even enjoy it more.
Narrative

The word narrative means “story.” From
this definition, we know that a narrative
must be a type of writing that tells a story.

There are many different ways an author
can tell a story.

Dramas (plays) and fictional stories are all
examples of narrative writing.
Informational

An informational piece explains
something or gives information about a
certain topic.

Textbooks, magazines, and newspapers
all contain informational materials.
Instructional
An instructional piece gives directions or
instructions on how to perform a certain
action.
 Examples:
-Recipes
-User manuals
-How-to books
-So What Booklet instructions 

Persuasive
Written for the purpose of influencing or
persuading
 Usually includes bias and propaganda
techniques
 Advertisements and speeches are good
examples of the use of persuasive
writing
 Often includes words such as “should,”
“must,” “ought,” or “necessary”

Poetic
Poetic writing contains characteristics of
poetry.
 Poetry uses interesting language (figurative
language) and vivid images (imagery).
 Poetic pieces:
-are written in short, rhythmic lines
instead of sentences
-are written in stanzas, not paragraphs
- often rhyme, but do NOT have to

Question 1
January 17, 2002
Dear Mrs. McGillicutty:
We are happy to notify you of the fact that your photograph
entitled "Brightly Colored Fish" has won first place in the
2002 Photography Club Contest in the nature category. Your
prize, $50 and a year's supply of film, will be shipped to you
within the next several days.
Congratulations,
The Contest Judges
What is the purpose of this letter?
A. to inform
B. to express
C. to influence
D. to entertain
Answer: A
The letter says "We are happy to notify
you" and then presents information
about the contest Mrs. McGillicutty has
won. It also tells her what her prize is
and when she will receive it.
Question 2
Leslie and Clarence wandered aimlessly into the ominous
woods in search of adventure. They saw deer and
squirrels but not much else. Fortunately, it was nearly
twilight, the time of day when fairies come out to play.
Leslie pointed excitedly at a bright point of flickering light
just behind a grand oak tree. Perhaps they had found the
magic they had been looking for!
The passage above is
A. informational.
B. narrative.
C. persuasive.
D. instructional.
Answer: B
A narrative is a piece of writing that tells
a story. It can be fiction or non-fiction.
The correct answer tells the story of
Leslie and Clarence in the woods.
Question 3
Cell phones are used today in many places—in the office, in the home,
and in stores. One place that cell phones can be dangerous is the car. Many
people drive and talk on their phones at the same time. Is this ever a good
idea? Most police officers and researchers say no.
In North Texas, approximately one in four car crashes is caused by a
driver talking on his or her cell phone. Cell phones distract drivers from the
road, traffic signals, and even people walking. While people multi-task
throughout their day, the car is one place where drivers should focus on only
one thing—driving.
Many researchers say that hands-free headsets will not help this
situation. The problem is not just with drivers having their hands full. It is
more about drivers having their focus split in two. If a driver is talking on a
cell phone, he or she is trying to listen and participate in a conversation
while driving through traffic on the street. Often, both the phone call and the
traffic suffer the consequences of the driver trying to focus fully on both.
Put down the cell phones while driving. It makes the roads much safer!
The passage above is
A. instructional
B. narrative
C. persuasive
D. informational
Answer: C
The passage above is persuasive. The
author has taken a position and uses
facts and values to try to convince
readers of his or her argument—that
people should not talk on their cell
phones while driving. Persuasive
passages state opinions and try to
convince readers to do or believe
something.