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.