Reading and Writing Skills

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

LESSON 1.2
Types of Discourse
Table of Contents
Introduction 1

Objectives 2

DepEd Competency 2

Warm-Up 2

Learn about It 4
Argumentative Discourse 4
Descriptive Discourse 5
Expository Discourse 6
Narrative Discourse 6

Key Points 7

Check Your Understanding 8

Let’s Step Up! 9

Photo Credits 10

Bibliography 10
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

Lesson 1.2
Types of Discourse

Fig. 1. Different types of discourse serve different goals and purposes.

Introduction
In the previous lesson, we learned that a discourse is a formal and often lengthy discussion
of a topic, where concepts and insights are arranged in an organized and logical manner.
We also learned its three purposes: to inform, to persuade, and to entertain. This time, we
will discuss the different types of discourse.

1
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Identify the nature and purpose of a discourse.
● Differentiate between the types of discourses.

DepEd Competency
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to compare and contrast patterns
of written texts across disciplines (EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.1-8).

Warm-Up
Quad Activity
1. Form a group of four.
2. Read and examine the four texts below.
3. Describe each text and determine the purpose of each one. Write your answers in
the corresponding columns of the table.
4. Present your work in class.

Text Description Purpose

A recent study confirmed that playing video games

may cause children to become violent. However, this
is only true for some children. Dr. Charlotte Cooper
and Dr. Markey Vitasa of ABC University explained
that children who manifest a combination of three
personality traits―high neuroticism,
disagreeableness, and low levels of
conscientiousness―are more likely to be aggressive
toward others after playing video games.

2
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

When I first saw my childhood friend Margarette, she

was about my younger sister Viv’s height. Her hair
was curly and dark, and her skin was pale. But what
really struck me when I first saw her was her big
round blue eyes.

Many people believe that having a more outgoing or

extroverted personality trait is advantageous for
people trying to learn a second or foreign language
since language learning requires authentic practice
through social interactions. However, a number of
studies also suggest that having an introverted
personality trait has several advantages too.
Language researchers emphasize a very complex
relationship between language learning and
personality, so it is difficult to generalize which
personality trait presents more benefits to learners.

I remember the time when I learned how to swim. I

was only eight years old and afraid to bathe in a pool.
I envied the kids who played with inflatable balls and
animals. Whenever my family would visit the
clubhouse, I would sit beside the pool and never
really jump in to join them. A summer camp opened
in our neighborhood, and my mom thought of
enrolling my brother and me in a swimming class.
Two days before the class started, my mom gave me
a pep talk; that made me realize that I did not want to
miss out on the fun just because I was afraid.

Guide Questions
1. What are the similarities and differences among the four sample texts?
2. How were you able to identify the purpose of each text?

3
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

Learn about It
Discourse can also be classified into different types, each with a different purpose. These
types are argumentation, description, exposition, and narration.

Vocabulary
logic a reasonable way of thinking about or understanding
something

phenomenon a rare or important event or fact

done in great detail; comprehensive and thorough

in-depth

an idea or opinion of what something or someone is

impression
like

connected with the physical senses of touch, smell,

sensory
taste, hearing, and sight

Essential Question
How can we differentiate one type of discourse from another

Argumentative Discourse
Argumentation is the act or process of making and presenting arguments. Arguments are
a series of statements for or against an idea.

The word argument comes from the Latin word argumentum, which means evidence, ground,
support, or a logical argument. Indeed, in an argumentative discourse, the writer aims to
persuade the audience or readers. He or she presents valid claims or counterclaims, each
supported by evidence, to prove a point. In proving claims, the writer presents studies,

4
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

experts’ opinions, and statistical data, among others. Moreover, an argumentative discourse
should appeal to logic or reason instead of emotion.

A recent study confirmed that playing video games may cause children to
become violent. However, this is only true for some children. Dr. Charlotte
Cooper and Dr. Markey Vitasa of ABC University explained that children who
manifest a combination of three personality traits―high neuroticism,
disagreeableness, and low levels of conscientiousness―are more likely to be
aggressive toward others after playing video games.

To convince the readers, the author of the passage mentioned a study to support his or her
claim about video games. The author did not simply state that video games may cause
children to become violent, he or she proved it by citing two experts.

Descriptive Discourse
This type of discourse is based on the main impression of the author about the topic or
subject. Its purpose is to transmit that impression through concrete, colorful, and vivid
language so that readers can fully imagine the topic or subject.

An author’s impression is influenced by his or her prior knowledge, culture, environment,

and experiences, among others. As the author describes his or her observations, it triggers
sensory images among readers.

When I first saw my childhood friend Margarette, she was about my younger
sister Viv’s height. Her hair was curly and dark, and her skin was pale. But
what really struck me when I first saw her was her big round blue eyes.

Through the author’s description, the reader can infer what the person Margarette looks
like.

5
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

Expository Discourse
This aims to inform about, clarify, and explain a phenomenon. It defines what something
is and provides an in-depth discussion about topics that are usually less explored. From its
root word, expose, the goal of expository discourse is to give readers a clearer
understanding about a certain topic.

Many people believe that having a more outgoing or extroverted personality

trait is advantageous for people trying to learn a second or foreign language
since language learning requires authentic practice through social
interactions. However, a number of studies also suggest that having an
introverted personality trait has several advantages too. Language
researchers emphasize a very complex relationship between language
learning and personality so it is difficult to generalize which personality trait
presents more benefits to learners.

The passage above explores an aspect of language and provides information about what
researchers know regarding the relationship between language learning and personality
traits. Other examples of expository discourse may be found in scholarly articles, magazine
editorials, and web blogs, among others.

Narrative Discourse
This type of discourse is like storytelling. It recalls events chronologically. This discourse is
told in the first-, second-, or third-person point of view. The general purpose of narration
then is to relate a series of events. Moreover, its structure may be linear or nonlinear. A
linear structure follows a typical format: beginning, middle, end. A nonlinear structure may
start from the end or in the middle.

I remember the time when I learned how to swim. I was only eight years old
and afraid to bathe in a pool. I envied the kids who played with inflatable
balls and animals. Whenever my family would visit the clubhouse, I would sit

6
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

beside the pool and never really jump in to join them. A summer camp
opened in our neighborhood, and my mom thought of enrolling my brother
and me in a swimming class. Two days before the class started, my mom gave
me a pep talk; that made me realize that I did not want to miss out on the fun
just because I was afraid.

The text conveys a person’s experience about learning how to swim. The events are told
chronologically, and the story is told in the first-person point of view.

Let’s Check In
Differentiate the four types of discourse.

Key Points

● Discourse may be classified into four different types, namely argumentative,

descriptive, expository, and narrative.
● In an argumentative discourse, the writer aims to persuade the audience or
readers.
● The goal of descriptive discourse is to convey an author’s impression about a
topic or subject through concrete, colorful, and vivid language.
● Expository discourse aims to inform about, clarify, and explain a phenomenon.
● The goal of narrative discourse is to relate a series of events.

7
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

Check Your Understanding

Fill in the blanks to complete the statements.

1. __________________ is the act or process of making and presenting arguments.

2. An author’s impression is influenced by his or her prior __________________, culture,
environment, and experiences, among others.
3. As the author describes his or her observations in a descriptive discourse, it
triggers __________________ images among readers.
4. The structure of a narrative discourse may be linear or __________________.
5. Some examples of __________________ discourse may be found in magazine articles
or editorials.

Identify the most appropriate type of discourse used in each situation.

1. Angie’s teacher asked him to write a research paper on the effects of technology on
teenagers’ mental health.
2. Randy joined a school contest on writing persuasive speeches.
3. As part of their Literature 101 output, Janna submitted a fairy tale to her professor.
4. In his masterclass, the famous novelist instructed his students to begin their stories
by creating a vivid picture of the place where the characters met.
5. Part of the application process for the BPO company was to write a step-by-step
instruction on how to go from the office to one’s residence.

Think of a situation where you can use different types of discourse. Write a
one-sentence example depending on the type of discourse asked in each item. Make
sure not to use the examples given in this study guide.

1. Descriptive Discourse
__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Narrative Discourse
__________________________________________________________________________________________

8
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

3. Argumentative Discourse
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Expository Discourse
__________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Choose one type of discourse. In one sentence, write a situation when it is used.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s Step Up!

Choose one topic or subject and write four separate paragraphs about it using each
of the four types of discourse.

9
 Reading and Writing Skills
●

Grade 11/12 • Unit 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

Photo Credits

Fig 1. Open Book Library Education lil_foot_ is licensed under Pixabay License via Pixabay.

Bibliography

“Discourse.” Literary Devices. 2016. Accessed August 31, 2018.

http://literarydevices.net/discourse/.

“Discourse (Language).” About.com Education. 2015. Accessed August 31, 2018.

http://grammar.about.com/od/d/g/discourseterm.htm.

Hadley, Gregory S. “Written Discourse Analysis: Investigation and Implications.” Accessed

August 31, 2018.
http://www.nuis.ac.jp/~hadley/publication/nuwritnanlysis/writtenanalysis.htm.

Nordquist, Richard. “Expressive Discourse (Composition).” About.com Education. 2016.

Accessed August 31, 2018.
http://grammar.about.com/od/e/g/Expressive-Discourse.htm.

“What Is Meant by Discourse Analysis?” Universiteit Gent. 2010. Accessed August 31, 2018.
http://www.english.ugent.be/da.

10