text processing n
theories of how readers comprehend texts and the sequence of operations
they make use of to do so.
see interactive processing, top-down processing.
text structure n
the organizational pattern of ideas and information found in a text. Differ-
ent types of texts (e.g. paragraphs, essays, letters, reports) are identified by
the way information is sequenced and organized and this structure creates
the text’s coherence.
For example common patterns of paragraph structure are comparison-
contrast, cause-effect, and problem-solution.
text typesn
a classification of texts according to their purpose and features. The notion
of text types is based on the assumption that texts are structured in particular
ways in order to achieve certain communicative and socio-cultural purposes.
The different stages in the schematic structure of a text make a particular
contribution to the text achieving its communicative purpose. Recognizing
the features of different text types plays an important role in both reading
and writing. Numerous classifications of text types have been made. The
following are often recognized.
text type purpose
narrative to tell a story or entertain
recount to tell what happened
personal recount to relate personal experience
factual recount to report on an event
imaginative recount to describe an imaginary event
instruction to describe how to make or do something
explanation to explain how or why something works
information report to define, classify, and give the characteristics of
a thing or class of things
exposition to express an opinion and convince the reader/
listener
see text-based teaching
textual function n
see functions of language
textual semantics n
see systemic-functional linguistics
text processing