Types of Discourse Narration, Description, Exposition, Persuasion (including Argument), Poetic Discourse

Narration Verbal depiction of events taking place in time. “Storytelling” E.g., history, police report, traditional novel. Narration can be fictional or nonfictional

Description Writing that uses sensory inputs to help represent the physical world. As in narration, description can be fictional or nonfictional.

Exposition Writing to explain, clarify or inform. This group constitutes the majority of writing people encounter. Exposition depends on clear presentation and the verifiability of data. E.g., laboratory report, book summary, stock report, encyclopedia, instructions

Persuasion Writing that aims to convince the audience of something. It focuses on influencing the reader through evidence (and thus usually incorporates expository writing). Persuasion may use reason or emotion as tools. E.g., debate, election pamphlet, movie review, grant proposal, advertisement

Persuasion: Argumentation Argumentation is a subset of persuasion. Argumentation uses reason (rationality) to convince its audience. Argumentation does not use emotion. Acting on Words uses the phrase “distinterested consideration” (p. 367) E.g., Logical and mathematical proofs, philosophical debate, scholarly research, analytical decision-making

Poetic Discourse Writing that uses heightened, compressed language dependent on metaphor to communicate ideas and emotions. Poetic discourse is most noteworthy for its use of language (language that “pushes the envelope” or goes beyond everyday usage) Both prose and verse can use poetic discourse.

Combining Discourses Writing often combines discourses. E.g., An analysis of a historical event will use both narration and exposition. E.g., A review of a painting will have to use description (what the painting looks like) as well as exposition (informing)

Combining Discourses One could argue that as soon as a writer addresses an audience, the writer is trying to persuade the audience of something…. We will be talking about these discourses again.