linear text examples essay

Linear Text vs. Nonlinear Text

What's the difference.

Linear text refers to a traditional form of writing that follows a sequential and chronological order, where ideas are presented in a linear fashion. It typically includes novels, essays, and articles that have a clear beginning, middle, and end. On the other hand, nonlinear text refers to a more interactive and non-sequential form of writing, where ideas are presented in a non-linear fashion. It often includes hypertexts, websites, and multimedia presentations that allow readers to navigate through different sections or links. While linear text provides a structured and cohesive narrative, nonlinear text offers a more dynamic and flexible reading experience, allowing readers to explore various paths and choose their own reading journey.

Further Detail

Introduction.

Texts are an essential part of our daily lives, whether we are reading books, articles, or browsing the internet. However, not all texts are created equal. Some texts follow a linear structure, while others adopt a nonlinear approach. In this article, we will explore the attributes of linear text and nonlinear text, highlighting their differences and discussing their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Linear Text

Linear text refers to a traditional form of writing that follows a sequential and chronological order. It is characterized by a clear beginning, middle, and end, with ideas and information presented in a linear fashion. This type of text is commonly found in novels, essays, news articles, and textbooks.

One of the key attributes of linear text is its coherence. The ideas and arguments presented in linear text are typically organized in a logical and structured manner, allowing readers to follow a clear narrative or argumentative flow. This coherence makes linear text easy to comprehend and digest, as readers can anticipate the progression of ideas.

Furthermore, linear text often employs transitional words and phrases to guide readers through the text. These transitions, such as "firstly," "secondly," and "finally," help to establish a sense of order and provide a smooth reading experience. Additionally, linear text often includes headings and subheadings to further enhance its organization and readability.

Another advantage of linear text is its simplicity. The linear structure allows readers to focus on one idea at a time, without the need to navigate through multiple paths or make decisions about the order of information consumption. This simplicity can be particularly beneficial for readers who prefer a straightforward and linear reading experience.

However, linear text also has its limitations. Due to its sequential nature, linear text may not be suitable for complex or interconnected topics that require non-linear exploration. It may struggle to capture the intricacies and interrelationships between different ideas, limiting the depth of analysis or understanding that can be achieved.

Nonlinear Text

Nonlinear text, on the other hand, breaks away from the traditional linear structure and offers a more flexible and interactive reading experience. It allows readers to navigate through the text in a non-sequential manner, often through hyperlinks, menus, or interactive elements. Nonlinear text is commonly found in digital platforms, such as websites, e-books, and hypertexts.

One of the key attributes of nonlinear text is its nonlinearity, as the name suggests. It allows readers to choose their own path and explore the content based on their interests or needs. This nonlinearity provides a sense of freedom and autonomy, empowering readers to engage with the text in a more personalized and interactive way.

Furthermore, nonlinear text can accommodate complex and interconnected topics more effectively. It allows for the inclusion of multiple perspectives, alternative narratives, and diverse sources of information. This richness and diversity of content can enhance critical thinking and encourage readers to explore different viewpoints, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Moreover, nonlinear text often incorporates multimedia elements, such as images, videos, and interactive graphics. These multimedia elements can enhance the overall reading experience, making the content more engaging, visually appealing, and immersive. They can also provide additional context or explanations, catering to different learning styles and preferences.

However, nonlinear text may pose challenges for readers who prefer a more structured and guided reading experience. The nonlinearity can sometimes lead to a sense of disorientation or overwhelm, especially when faced with a vast amount of interconnected information. Additionally, the lack of a clear narrative or argumentative flow in nonlinear text may require readers to actively construct their own understanding and make connections between different pieces of information.

In conclusion, both linear text and nonlinear text have their own unique attributes and advantages. Linear text offers coherence, simplicity, and a clear narrative or argumentative flow, making it suitable for straightforward and sequential topics. On the other hand, nonlinear text provides nonlinearity, interactivity, and multimedia integration, allowing for more personalized and exploratory reading experiences, particularly for complex and interconnected subjects.

Ultimately, the choice between linear text and nonlinear text depends on the nature of the content, the preferences of the readers, and the goals of the text itself. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see a blend of both linear and nonlinear elements in various forms of text, offering readers a diverse range of reading experiences to suit their needs and interests.

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Linear and Non-Linear Texts Examples 

You are already aware of the significance of the English language. It is so important in the modern-day that you cannot do without it. English is a must everywhere. But English is not just about how you are using the words or how strong is your vocabulary.

You need to have a grip on various concepts of the English language. By taking this into consideration, we will be learning a new concept today – Linear and Non-Liner Texts. 

What is Linear Text?

In the English language, linear text refers to traditional text that requires to be read from the beginning to the end. In this type of text, you will always find an order or sequence while explanation anything. Well, the order of the texts is based on the author of the text. They have the authority to decide the reading path for enhancing the experience of the readers.  Generally, texts printed on paper are considered linear texts.

Examples of linear texts include Novels, poems, short stories, textbooks, letters, newspaper articles, educational texts, and all those texts that we have to read from the beginning to the end.

Properties of Linear Texts

Apart from the definition, here are some of the important points that you should know about the liner texts. 

• It is the most common type of reading; it focuses on the arrangement of words, both grammatically and stylistically.
• There is only one reading path, which is decided by the author.
• Typically includes printed texts.
• It somehow takes time for the reader to find the information they are looking for.  
• In linear texts, contents are in the linear and sequential structure.
• In linear texts, there is a focus on grammar and style.
• Examples of linear texts include Novels, poems, letters, newspaper articles, etc.

Get To Know The Example Of Linear Texts:

The graph shows the analysis of the SPM English Language results for the years

2000 to 2003. It shows that the percentage of passes has been increasing steadily,

from about 87% in 2000 to 95% in 2003. The increasing trend in quality indicates

that the standard of English of the pupils is getting better. Extra classes, good

teachers, and students’ awareness of its importance probably accounted for the

improvement.

What is a Non-Liner Text?

According to the rules and standards of the English language, non-linear text is different from non-linear texts. The pathway of the non-linear texts follows a path from left to right and top to bottom with information organized sequentially. You can find the use of non-linear texts in various digital texts. It can be used for conveying a message and hyper linking them to one another. These allow a reader to access information as needed and a writer to create opportunities for a reader to make these choices.

The basic difference between the linear and non-linear texts is that the non-linear texts are used for highlighting important thematic conflict. In non-linear texts, you can easily skip the boring details and provide context and character background. Flow charts, knowledge maps, digital texts with hyperlinks, and encyclopedias are some examples of non-linear text.

Properties of Non-Linear Texts

• The non-linear text refers to the text that does not need to be read from the beginning to the end.
• Non-linear text is a text combined with visual elements.
• There are multiple reading paths (the reading is not sequential). They are determined by the reader. In other words, the reader can choose his own reading paths.
• Typically include digital texts.
• Non-linear texts allow readers to find specific information more quickly and efficiently.
• In a non-linear text, contents are organized in a network structure.
• In the non-linear text, the focus is on specific information. Less attention is given to grammar and style.

Conclusion :

Now you have understood the liner and non-liner texts. It can be used or applied in any form. You just have to know when and how to use it. 

How to Structure Your Writing for Maximum Impact (With Help From AI)

Table of contents

Laura Jane Bradbury

A teacher once told me, “The most effective writing is always prepared with a plan.”  

A plan provides a clear structure and roadmap to follow. This helps you to avoid getting stuck in the middle of the writing process because you have guidance to fall back on. 

As well as saving time, you will improve your work if you consider how to structure your writing before you begin. Planning your basic structure can ensure that your argument, article, or story is easy to follow and digest. Without doing so, you may forget to include certain information or your piece may become disjointed and incoherent.

I’ve been a professional writer for six years, and I’ve produced many forms of writing for different clients. In particular, I often create detailed blog posts using different writing structures.

In this article, I’ll explain why structure is essential to the writing process. I’ll also provide tips to help you choose which structure your piece of writing should follow.

Nail your writing structure with this free AI tool > Nail your writing structure with this free AI tool >

What is writing structure?

Structure in writing refers to the arrangement of words, sentences, and paragraphs to create a logical flow of ideas. It provides a framework for you to organize your thoughts around so your writing flows from one point to the next, making it easy for your readers to understand .

For example, the basics of essay structure consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. This structure helps you separate your content into digestible sections. It also helps you to plan your content: you can consider what you need to set up in the introduction before moving onto the main body of your essay, and then what you will need to summarise in the conclusion.

Structure also includes elements such as sentence length, headings, and transitions. These help readers digest key points within your text.

There are many types of structures you can use, and some content requires a particular type. Press releases , for example, have a format that adheres to industry standards and usually include contact information at the end. On the other hand, a story’s structure can include different variations.

As I’ll demonstrate throughout this article, it’s crucial to find a suitable structure for the content you’re creating. 

Why is writing structure important?

Structure acts as a solid foundation for your text. It tells you how to logically lay out your ideas and arguments.

For example, let’s say I’m writing an entire post on the pros and cons of social media. With a structure, I can plan my arguments and look at how to present them. I could structure the pros together and then the cons. Alternatively, I could go back-and-forth between the two opposing sides.

Without this structure, my essay would be confusing and difficult to read. If I don’t plan my essay, I may forget key points, insert information at inappropriate times, or create a confusing flow. 

In addition to guiding our ideas, structure can break up our writing briefs to make word counts less daunting.

For instance, a 5,000 word essay is less intimidating if you separate it into different parts. You could start with a 300-word introduction, for example, followed by a 200-word overview of the topic you’re discussing.

Types of writing structures and how to use them

Now you know the importance of structure, let’s look at some different types of writing — such as essays and stories — and the structure that best applies to them.

Linear writing structure

Linear structure — otherwise known as chronological structure — is when writing follows a logical sequence, with each point connecting to the next. A linear structure lists events in the order they happened or will occur.

Recipes, for example, follow linear structures. This is because it makes sense to read cooking instructions in a chronological order. After all, you can’t start at step 5 and combine your ingredients if you haven’t yet added them to the bowl!

As well as recipes, step-by-step instructions, how-to guides, and the relaying of an event or subject are best served by chronological order.

If you’re following a guide on how to do something, for example, you don’t want to skip steps and work backwards to find out what’s next. Likewise, if you’re researching the build-up to a historical event, you’ll struggle to understand what actually happened if it’s not written in chronological order.

Before choosing a linear structure for your writing, ask yourself if a non-chronological structure would confuse your readers. Do people need to know what happened in chronological order to understand your content?

Narrative structures: Storytelling through writing

Narrative structure is a way of organizing a story with a beginning, middle, and end. It is often used in creative writing and includes a plot, characters, and setting, as well as a conflict that the protagonist must resolve. 

With a narrative or story structure, it can be difficult to decide how to structure your writing. This is because even though there are common structures, there is ultimately no right or wrong way to lay out your story — it depends on what structure will make your story feel most exciting and engaging.

Here are five key narrative structures to consider:

• Linear : As mentioned, this puts the story in chronological order.
• Nonlinear : This is a way of telling your story non-chronologically. For instance, your story could involve flashbacks to different time periods.
• Circular: This structure gives the sense that the end of your story takes you back to where it started. For example, your story could begin and end in a particular location, or with a character feeling exactly as they did at the start of the story by the end of it.
• Parallel: This is when two or more separate stories are told at the same time. The stories are usually linked by a character, an event, or a theme. As an example, you could show the perspectives of two different people in the same city looking for love. 
• Interactive: This type of storytelling enables readers to interact with and influence the story’s course. One way to do this is to ask readers to make a decision and then turn to a specific page to continue the story based on the outcome they chose.

Imagine your story in each narrative structure. Plan out how each could work and how this impacts your story — this will help with your understanding of story structure. For example, when planning a circular structure, consider if your ending is powerful enough to also be mirrored at the beginning.

Or, when looking at a parallel structure, decide if your characters or themes are strong enough to have separate storylines.

Scene writing structure: Crafting a setting for your story

A story scene can show how a character is feeling, what is happening in the plot, and how the narrative is progressing. It can also be used to create tension and suspense, or to illustrate a moral lesson.

When creating a scene structure, plan for the overall purpose. What do you want your scene to achieve and how do you want readers to feel?

Scene structures consist of a beginning, middle, and end. So, within one singular scene, you have three separate parts to focus on. The first part (the beginning) sets up the objective — what is your character trying to achieve? For instance, do they need to meet a deadline at work?

The middle part is typically an obstacle — something happens that impacts the character’s goal. Based on my previous example, maybe the character receives a phone call that their child is ill and must be picked up from school.

The end of your scene is the conclusion — what is the outcome for the character? Will they overcome their obstacle or run into further issues which extend into the next scene? 

Once you have the structure of your scene, you can craft your setting. While the obvious example for my character is to place them in an office, I could use a mind map to explore further scenarios. Perhaps they work from home for instance, or they are heading towards their office to complete their tasks.

Logical structures: Building blocks of writing

Logical structures are used to organize information in a way that makes sense and is effective. The building blocks of logical writing include clear and concise language, rational arguments, and well-researched evidence. Using these elements together creates a convincing argument that is easy to follow and understand.

Here are some examples of logical structures:

• Cause and effect : This typically follows a pattern of introducing the cause, providing supporting evidence, discussing the effect, and then providing further evidence to support the effect. 
• Comparison and contrast : Compares two or more things and highlights their similarities and differences. It usually begins with an introduction that outlines the main points of comparison, followed by body paragraphs that discuss each subject in turn. 
• Chronological order : As mentioned earlier, chronological order outlines events or content in the order in which they occur. For instance, step-by-step instructions are written in a chronological order, from the first step to the last.
• Problem and solution : This is when you present a problem and offer potential solutions. You may also explain why certain solutions work.

A logical structure, such as the ones described above, makes it easier to organize your essay or article. This is because it specifies what to focus on in each paragraph. To decide which logical structure to use, reflect on your argument. Is your aim to provide solutions, to compare something, or are you looking to highlight the impact of an issue such as global warming, which would be aided by a cause and effect structure?

To ensure your language is clear, direct, and conveys a strong argument, use Wordtune . When you type text into the editor, you can receive Editor’s Notes which point out spelling and grammar mistakes. Additionally, the Editor can suggest alternative sentences and words to make your text more concise.

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Academic writing structures: Crafting an argument

Academic writing typically follows this classic structure:

• Introduction : Tells the reader about your topic and provides a thesis statement .
• Body : Conveys key points, theories, and arguments related to your thesis.
• Conclusion : Summarizes your argument and ties your points together.

While the introduction and conclusion often follow a typical format, the body of an argument can be structured in several ways.

An argumentative structure, for instance, usually follows a five-paragraph structure: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The body paragraphs should each make a point that supports the main argument. The body paragraphs should also include a topic sentence — usually at the beginning. This briefly explains the main point or idea of a paragraph.

On the other hand, an explanatory essay could have a cause and effect structure. This structure can be used to explain why something happened and its consequences. As an example, you could use a cause and effect structure to explain how the increased use of social media has impacted how we communicate with each other. 

The structure largely depends on the type of essay being written. For instance, if you are crafting an argument to persuade the reader of a certain point of view, an argumentative essay structure is ideal. But if your essay’s purpose is to tell a story, a narrative structure is more appropriate.

Pro Tip: Use Wordtune’s AI technology to craft a persuasive argument. Wordtune’s “ Spices ” feature can generate text to explain your points and provide examples. 

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Video Transcripts: Academic Writing for Multilingual Students: Write in a Linear Structure

Academic writing for multilingual students: write in a linear structure.

Last update 7/7/2017

Video Length: 4:13

Visual: Walden logo at bottom of screen along with notepad and pencil background.

Audio: Guitar music.

Visual: The video’s title is displayed on a background image of a dictionary page. The screen opens to the following slides: Write in a Linear Structure

• Linear versus circular
• Expectations for the reader versus the writer

Audio: In American academic writing, it is important to write in a linear structure and follow the expectations for the reader and the writer.

Visual: As the speaker continues, the following are added to the slide:

• Writer = clarity & cohesion
• Relationships = explicit
• Ideas = clear

Audio: American academic writing tends to follow what we call a linear structure where the writer is responsible for the clarity and cohesion of the writing. Relationships between ideas are explicitly stated. The reader should not have to work too hard to understand the ideas and the relationships between the ideas in the text.

• Thesis statements
• Topic sentences
• Transitions
• Cohesive devices

Audio: In this type of writing, there are clear thesis statements, clear topic sentences, transitions, and other cohesive devices to guide the reader from one idea to the next.

• Reader responsible for understanding meaning
• Complex writing to read = strong writing

Audio: In some cultures, more of a circular structure is followed. In these cultures, the reader is responsible for deducing the meaning of the text, and when the reader needs to work to understand the meaning of the writing, it reflects strong writing.

• No explicit topic sentences & paragraphs
• Thesis statement in the conclusion

Audio: There may not be explicitly stated topic sentences in paragraphs, and the thesis statement might appear for the first time in the conclusion of the text.

If you come from a culture that writes in a more circular structure, it might be a challenge to make this shift. Remember, however, that this is what your American readers expect, and they will be confused if your writing does not follow this more linear structure.

Visual: The slide changes to the following: Linear Structure Example

• The introduction gives the reader background about the topic. The introduction is often organized from more general to more specific, leading to a clear thesis statement or controlling idea.
• Paragraph 1 begins with a topic sentence , written in your own words, clarifying the main point of the paragraph and relating back to the thesis statement. Each sentence in this paragraph relates back to the main point of Paragraph 1.
• Paragraph 2 begins with a topic sentence , written in your own words, clarifying the main point of the paragraph and relating back to the thesis statement. Each sentence in this paragraph relates back to the main point of Paragraph 2.
• Paragraph 3 begins with a topic sentence , written in your own words, clarifying the main point of the paragraph and relating back to the thesis statement. Each sentence in this paragraph relates back to the main point of Paragraph 3.
• The conclusion summarizes the main points of the text , in this case, the main points of Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3. No new information is introduced in the conclusion.

Audio: Let’s take a look at an outline that illustrates this linear structure. In this example, there are a total of five paragraphs though this does not mean that every assignment requires five paragraphs. There are sometimes more and sometimes less.

Begin with an introduction that gives the reader background about the topic. The introduction is often organized from more general to more specific, leading to a clear thesis statement or controlling idea.

Visual: As the speaker continues, an upside-down triangle is shown with an arrow pointing downward to help illustrate the concept of an introduction paragraph.

Audio: It might be helpful to visualize this as an upside down triangle, with the first sentence of the introduction being more general and being the widest part of the triangle, leading to the thesis statement being more focused and placed at the tip of the triangle.

Paragraph 1 then begins with a topic sentence, written in your own words, clarifying the main point of the paragraph and relating back to the thesis statement. Each sentence in this paragraph must relate back to the main point of Paragraph 1.

Paragraph 2 begins with a topic sentence, written in your own words, clarifying the main point of the paragraph and relating back to the thesis statement. Each sentence in this paragraph relates back to the main point of Paragraph 2.

Paragraph 3 follows the same structure. Paragraph 3 begins with a topic sentence, written in your own words, clarifying the main point of the paragraph and relating back to the thesis statement. Each sentence in this paragraph relates back to the main point of Paragraph 3.

Finally, the conclusion summarizes the main points of the text, in this case, the main points of Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3. No new information is introduced in the conclusion.

When writing in a linear structure, it might also be helpful to think of the analogy of a sandwich. There is a piece of bread on top that is the introduction. There is a piece of bread on the bottom that is the conclusion. And in the middle are the meat and cheese and vegetables, all held together by two pieces of bread. I hope you are able to use these tips on writing in a linear structure to better follow the writing expectations at Walden and at other American universities.

Visual: The screen changes to end with the words “Walden University Writing Center” and “Questions? E-mail [email protected] .” 

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Sample Essays

The breadth of Georgetown’s core curriculum means that students are required to write for a wide variety of academic disciplines. Below, we provide some student samples that exhibit the key features the most popular genres. When reading through these essays, we recommend paying attention to their 

1. Structure (How many paragraphs are there? Does the author use headers?) 

2. Argument (Is the author pointing out a problem, and/or proposing a solution?) 

3. Content (Does the argument principally rely on facts, theory, or logic?) and 

4. Style (Does the writer use first person? What is the relationship with the audience?)

Philosophy Paper

• Singer on the Moral Status of Animals

Theology Paper

• Problem of God
• Jewish Civilization
• Sacred Space and Time
• Phenolphthalein in Alkaline Solution

History Paper

• World History

Literature Review

Comparative Analysis 

Policy Brief

• Vaccine Manufacturing

White Paper

Critical Analysis

• Ignatius Seminar

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Last updated on Jan 02, 2024

Narrative Structure: Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips

As you plot out your novel, story structure will likely be at the top of your mind. But there’s something else you’ll need to consider in addition to that: narrative structure. While story structure is the overall flow of the story, from the exposition to the rising and falling action, narrative structure is the framing that supports it. Let’s take a deeper dive into what that means.

What is narrative structure?

A narrative structure is the order in which a story’s events are presented. It is the framework from which a writer can hang individual scenes and plot points with the aim of maximizing tension, interest, excitement, or mystery.

Traditionally, most stories start at the chronological beginning ("once upon a time") and finish at the end ("and they lived happily ever after"). However, a story can technically be told in any order. Writers can arrange their plot points in a way that creates suspense — by omitting certain details or revealing information out of order, for example. 

Sometimes, storytellers will begin in the middle and literally 'cut to the chase' before revealing the backstory later on. In short, narrative structure is a powerful tool that writers can wield to great effect if handled with care and consideration. 

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Types of narrative structure

There’s a whole branch of literary criticism dedicated to studying narrative structure: narratology. We won’t quite go into academic depth, but it’s important to know the main types of structure available for your narrative so you can best choose the one that serves your story’s purpose. Here are four of the most common types of narrative structure used in books and movies. 

Linear narrative structure is exactly what it sounds like — when a story is told chronologically from beginning to end. Events follow each other logically and you can easily link the causality of one event to another. At no point does the narrative hop into the past or the future. The story is focused purely on what is happening now. It’s one of the most common types of narrative structures seen in most books, movies, or TV shows.

Example: Pride and Prejudice

A great example of a linear narrative is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice . We follow Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's love story from their first disastrous meeting to when they fall in love and admit their feelings for each other. All of the events are presented in the order that they occur, and we can easily see how one misunderstanding led to another right until the very end. 

2. Nonlinear

On the flip side, a nonlinear narrative is when a story is told out of order — where scenes from the beginning, middle, and end are mixed up, or in some cases, the chronology may be unclear. With this freedom to jump around in time, new information or perspectives can be introduced at the point in the story where they can have maximum impact. A common feature of this type of narrative is the use of extended flashbacks. 

These types of stories tend to be character-centric. Hopping through time allows the author to focus on the emotional states of the characters as they process different events and contrast them against their previous or future selves .

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But why would you choose to tell a whole story in such a confusing way? One thing nonlinear structures allow a writer to do is heighten suspense . Since events don’t necessarily logically follow each other, you never know what will happen next. They can also disorient the audience and leave them feeling off-kilter, which is incredibly useful if you’re writing horror or suspense, though this structure certainly isn’t limited to these genres.

Example: A mores perros

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 2000 film Amores Perros is a prime example of how a nonlinear narrative can heighten suspense and create a character-centric story. The film is a triptych, three stories following different characters in Mexico City whose lives intersect with a car crash shown in the opening scene. 

The first third of the movie flashes back to tell the story of Octavio, a young man involved in underground dog fights who is in love with his brother’s wife. Most of the second story takes place after the crash and centers on Valeria, a Spanish model injured in that wreck, while the final storyline takes place in both timelines and focuses on a hitman, El Chivo, who we first meet in Octavio’s story.

The nonlinear nature of the film allows the director to explore and juxtapose the nuances of each character's struggles. Every character’s story is anchored by the opening. As Octavio, Valeria, and El Chivo move closer to the time of the car crash that will upend their lives, there’s a mounting tension as the audience knows what’s going to happen, but has no idea how it will affect them. 

This is a general type of nonlinear narrative. However, some subtypes are more commonly seen in fiction, such as the parallel narrative. 

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3. Parallel

A parallel narrative is where two or more stories are told concurrently, though they may not always be happening at the same time. This is common in stories with multiple lead characters and viewpoints . They tend to be interconnected, though how they relate may not be immediately obvious. 

Eventually, the story threads in a parallel structure will dovetail, resulting in some kind of plot twist or revelation. As a result, parallel structures are often used in thrillers or historical fiction novels. 

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Example: Gone Girl

Gillian Flynn’s best-selling domestic thriller is a masterclass in parallel narratives. The story of suburban teacher Nick’s reaction to his wife’s mysterious disappearance is interspersed with flashbacks taken from Amy’s diary, revealing the shaky state of Nick and Amy's relationship.

The reader is presented with two unreliable narrators : the idealized life Nick presents to the media following Amy’s disappearance stands in stark contrast to the diary entries that reveal Nick's affair and the difficulties of their personal lives. The back and forth of the narrative only increases the tension as the readers try to figure out what’s real, what’s a lie, and what will happen next. 

4. Episodic

You can think of episodic narratives as interconnected short stories that contribute to a larger story arc. Each individual story has a beginning, middle, and end, but the larger arc unites them in some way. Usually, this type of structure follows the same set of characters in a specific setting or situation. You’ll recognize this type of narrative in TV programs like sitcoms and medical dramas, where episodes can, broadly speaking, be watched in any order. 

Example: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The popular 90’s TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is something of a pioneering show, balancing its monster-of-the-week format (“the gang must stop a vampire cheerleader!”) with a slow unraveling of a season-long plot that culminates in a fight against a larger enemy (“the town’s mayor is a demon!”).

While many other episodic TV shows prioritized maintaining the status quo at the end of each episode, one of Buffy’s strengths was its willingness to tell grander stories within the framework of episodic storytelling. With these narrative seeds being planted across 20-plus episodes, its season finales were often more impactful than those of its contemporaries.  

Choosing a structure to fit your story

Now that you have an understanding of some of the most popular narrative structures, you need to decide which one to use for your story. It’s important that the structure you choose works with the kind of story you want to tell and adds something to the overall experience, but that doesn’t mean you need to reinvent the wheel. 

Experimenting with non-traditional structure can be a great way to improve your writing and challenge yourself but if you’re finding it difficult or more confusing than helpful, there’s nothing wrong with using a linear structure. After all, it’s popular for a reason — it works, and many famous and well-regarded stories have been written that way. 

If you do want to try your hand at non-linear structure, consider these tips. 

Identify your beginning, middle, and end

Every story has a beginning, middle, and end, even if you’re telling it out of order. In some cases, the story you’re telling narratively might rely a lot on events outside the plot's main focus. Often, that also means the inciting incident and the climax happen in a compressed amount of time. In that case, a nonlinear structure might be helpful. It will introduce the exposition that’s needed for the “beginning” throughout the story without derailing your plot and pacing . In cases like this, figuring out your chronology is incredibly important — and we recommend mapping it out on paper to avoid confusion.

Find the right place to reveal information

Many stories rely on the careful reveal of information to keep the plot moving and the tension high. In a typical linear narrative, this timing is fairly straightforward — the reader finds out new things at the same time the characters do. However, when using a nonlinear or parallel structure, you’ll need to be even more judicious with how you feed readers this information.

When the reader knows something the character doesn’t, it creates suspense. When the character knows something the reader doesn’t, it creates intrigue. Both of these are great tools for a writer, but they can’t be maintained over a full narrative — that would be tedious and confusing for a reader. Rather, suspense and intrigue should be created and dissipated throughout the story. And if you aren’t sure you’ve done this successfully, you’ll know it’s time to consult beta readers or a professional editor .

Whatever narrative structure you choose, remember that it should work for you and for your story. If you’re not having fun or it’s proving too difficult, changing course and trying another one is alright. Experimentation is all a part of the process. Happy writing!

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Types of Outlines and Samples

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Alphanumeric Outlines

This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order:

• Roman Numerals
• Capitalized Letters
• Arabic Numerals
• Lowercase Letters

If the outline needs to subdivide beyond these divisions, use Arabic numerals inside parentheses and then lowercase letters inside parentheses. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

The sample PDF in the Media Box above is an example of an outline that a student might create before writing an essay. In order to organize her thoughts and make sure that she has not forgotten any key points that she wants to address, she creates the outline as a framework for her essay.

What is the assignment?

Your instructor asks the class to write an expository (explanatory) essay on the typical steps a high school student would follow in order to apply to college.

What is the purpose of this essay?

To explain the process for applying to college

Who is the intended audience for this essay?

High school students intending to apply to college and their parents

What is the essay's thesis statement?

When applying to college, a student follows a certain process which includes choosing the right schools and preparing the application materials.

Full Sentence Outlines

The full sentence outline format is essentially the same as the Alphanumeric outline. The main difference (as the title suggests) is that full sentences are required at each level of the outline. This outline is most often used when preparing a traditional essay. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

Decimal Outlines

The decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline. The added benefit is a system of decimal notation that clearly shows how every level of the outline relates to the larger whole. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

18 Text Types (with Examples) – Writing Styles Explained

Texts types, also known as genres or text forms, refer to categories of texts with different purposes. Depending on the purpose, each type of text will have have a different convention of style and structure.

It is essential to understand text types and their conventions because:

• Interpretation: It helps us understand the text’s intentions, trustworthiness, and bias
• Text Creation: It helps us to create texts that are most effective, depending upon the purpose

Below is a list of the most common text types and their key conventions, style, structure, and purpose.

Text Types Examples

1. narrative.

Purpose: A narrative text aims to tell a story to the reader. It isn’t always just about telling a story for entertainment, though. The purpose of narrative text also lies in its capacity to engage the reader’s imagination, impart a moral lesson, or just simply pass on a tale through generations. For example, narrative stories are used in folklore and folktales to pass-on cultural values and stories.

Style: The style of a narrative text is distinctive. It employs a chronological sequencing of events. Coherent, right-branching sentences, varying in length, create rhythm and draw the reader into the unfolding story. Active voice is favored to maintain directness and immediacy, bringing scenes alive.

Structure: Beginning with an orientation, it introduces characters, setting, and time. Short initial sentences establish the context. The complication, the next part, presents problems or conflicts. A series of sentences, varying in length and complexity, takes the reader through ups and downs. Ultimately, the story reaches a resolution, where the achievement or solution is laid out.

2. Descriptive

Purpose: A descriptive text is designed to describe something in a detailed manner. The writer attempts to paint a vivid image in the reader’s mind, often by intricately describing an object, person, place, experience, or situation.

Style: Adjectives play a significant role in a descriptive text. They enrich the text, adding depth to the description. Similes, metaphors, and other figurative language might also be used for more creative descriptions. The sentences can be diverse, ranging from concise statement of facts to long, detailed depictions .

Structure: A descriptive text often starts with a short, general overview of what is being described. Then, it delves into details, exploring appearance, characteristics, functions, and other aspects. It closes with a brief summary or a final remark on the described subject.

3. Expository

Purpose: The main goal of an expository text is to inform or explain. It aims to provide the reader with comprehensive information about a specific topic. This type of text gives out facts and provides deep insights, explaining complex concepts or procedures in a manner that the reader can understand.

Style: The style of an expository text is systematic and straightforward. It has an emphasis on clarity. It avoids ambiguity and confusion.

Structure: Beginning with an introduction that briefly outlines the topic, an expository text then offers a well-structured exploration of distinct aspects of the topic. Each paragraph introduces a different point related to the topic. The conclusion summarizes the main points and offers final insights.

Read More: Expository vs Argumentative Essay Writing

4. Argumentative / Persuasive

Purpose: An argumentative or persuasive text is structured to persuade the readers by presenting a point of view. It defends a position regarding an issue or topic, using reasoned arguments, facts, statistics, and real-life examples to convince readers and lure them into adopting this point of view.

Style: These texts should be precise, logical, and grounded in evidence. The use of rhetorical devices like ethos, logos, and pathos can help persuade and appeal to the reader’s sense of ethics, logic, or emotions.

Structure: Key here is to map out a clear and structured argument, often presenting the most compelling points at the beginning and end of the piece. Consider using an essay plan. Your piece may start with a clear statement of the thesis or position. Then, provide supporting evidence and arguments, section by section. Each paragraph can offer a different reason or piece of evidence supporting the thesis. A conclusion is then needed to sum up the argument, restate the thesis, and call the reader to action.

5. Instructional

Purpose: An instructional text serves to provide instructions or directions on how to do something. It aims to guide the reader through a sequence of steps to achieve a certain goal or complete a task efficiently.

Style: Unlike persuasive texts, instructional texts should not try to convince anyone of anything. Your job is to strictly provide facts. The language is direct, to-the-point, and unambiguous.

Structure: Instructional texts usually start with an overview of the task or goal, and possibly, what the end result should look like. Following that, a list of materials or requirements would come next. After this, a step-by-step guide detailing how to accomplish the task is written.

6. Procedural

Purpose: Procedural texts are designed to guide the reader through a sequence of actions or steps necessary to accomplish a specific task. These tasks might be related to cooking, science experiments, emergency procedures, or machinery operation, among others.

Style: Procedural texts are characterized by precise and unambiguous language. It is critical that the wording is exact to ensure clear communication of instructions.

Structure: Procedural texts should be written with the same goal in mind as instructional ones: begin with an overview of the task, followed by any necessary materials or preparation steps. Next, a detailed, step-by-step procedure is included. It often concludes with any necessary follow-up instructions or warnings.

Purpose: The purpose of a recount text is to retell past events, usually in chronological order. It serves to provide a detailed account of an event, experience, or historical occurrence.

Style: A recount is usually descriptive and personal, involving a chronological presentation of events, with expressive language to convey emotions or impressions that the writer felt during the events.

Structure: A typical recount text starts with the introduction, setting the scene, and often specifying the time, place, and participants involved. The series of events then unrolls in the order they occurred. Finally, it concludes with a personal comment, reflection, or evaluation of the event.

Purpose: Report texts are written to present information about a subject. The subject could range from real-world entities like animals, humans, or natural phenomena to abstract concepts like principles, theories, or ideas.

Style: Reports are communicated objectively without the use of personal pronouns or subjective language. They contain facts, statistics, and specific information related to the subject, presented in a clear, systematic manner.

Structure: A report usually begins with an introduction, defining the topic and offering a brief overview. A series of sections or subheadings then ‘chunk’ the content to make it easy to navigate, each covering different aspects of the topic. A conclusion or summary often ends the report.

9. Discussion

Purpose: A discussion text is intended to present multiple perspectives on a specific issue, allowing the reader to consider all angles before forming their own viewpoint. It aims to deepen understanding and foster a broader perspective by objectively exploring diverse opinions and arguments related to a topic.

Style: Discussion texts use neutral, unbiased language. The writer presents all sides of the argument fairly and objectively, without leaning towards supporting one over another.

Structure: The text begins with an introduction of the issue at hand. This is followed by presenting point and counterpoint for each aspect of the issue, examining arguments in favor and against it. An effective discussion text ends with a conclusion or summary that encapsulates the multiple perspectives without indicating a personal preference.

10. Response

Purpose: A response text serves to provide a personal interpretation or reaction to a piece of content, such as a book, film, article, or speech. It aims to deepen the understanding of the original content, examine its components, and express personal thoughts, feelings, and reactions to it.

Style: Response writing is subjective, reflecting the opinion and personality of the writer. Despite the writer’s personal voice being apparent, a good response should maintain an even-handed and critical approach.

Structure: Commence with an overview of the content being responded to, including its title and creator. Next, give a brief summary or description of the content. Following this, present your personal reactions, impressions, and points of critique. Lastly, conclude by summarizing your views and stating your final thoughts.

Purpose: The purpose of a poetic text is to convey emotions, experiences, concepts, and ideas using creative and imaginative language. It’s a form of verbal art that uses aesthetics and rhythmic qualities to charm and engage readers.

Style: Poetic language heavily incorporates figurative and connotative language. It frequently uses devices such as similes, metaphors, rhyme, rhythm, assonance, and alliteration to create a specific mood or emotion.

Structure: The structure of a poem can vary vastly – it may adhere to a specific form (like sonnets, haikus, or limericks) complete with rules regarding rhyme, meter, and stanza length, or it may be free verse, with no such rules.

12. Journalistic

Purpose: Journalistic texts aim to report news stories to inform readers, viewers, or listeners about events happening locally or globally. These texts provide factual information about real-world event in a balanced, fair, accurate, and comprehensive manner.

Style: Journalistic writing requires use of clear, concise, and direct language. The language is primarily factual and explanatory, striving to be impartial and unbiased.

Structure: Journalistic texts usually adopt the “inverted pyramid” structure. The most crucial information is presented first – summarizing the ‘who, what, where, when, why, and how’ of the story. Following paragraphs provide further details and context, with the least important information towards the end.

See Also: Informational Texts Examples

13. Transactional

Purpose: Transactional texts serve to communicate an intended message between individuals or organizations. Common examples include emails, reports, proposals, business letters and memos.

Style: The tone and style of transactional texts depend on their intended audience and purpose. Formality levels may vary – generally, they are written in clear, straightforward language.

Structure: Transactional texts usually start with a salutation or an introduction, followed by the body containing the key message or information. They end with a closing, which may include a call-to-action, a closing remark or a sign-off.

14. Exemplification

Purpose: Exemplification texts are those which use examples to make a point, stress a point, or clearly present a pattern or form. These texts aim to make abstract ideas concrete, clarify concepts, or provide evidence supporting statements or theories.

Style: The language of exemplification texts is straightforward and facts-based, leveraging detailed examples to make concepts clearer and more understandable.

Structure: They start with a thesis statement or main idea. Next, they introduce and elaborate various specific examples to exemplify and prove the thesis statement. Finally, a conclusion wraps up the discussion and reiterates how the examples support the main idea.

15. Compare and Contrast

Purpose: The purpose of a compare and contrast text is to examine the similarities and differences between two or more subjects, such as concepts, items, people, or events. It aids in understanding and scrutinizing the association between the subjects.

Style: This kind of writing is analytical and require a balanced and objective presentation of facts, making sure to avoid bias or favoritism.

Structure: Such texts generally follow one of two structures: block or alternating. In the block method, all about the first subject is described, followed by all about the second. In the alternating method, corresponding points about the first and second subjects are alternated for comparison.

Read More: Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

16. Cause and Effect

Purpose: Cause and effect text is written to identify and explain the reasons or causes for an event or behavior and the resulting effects or outcomes. It establishes a relationship between variables and events.

Style: Clarity is particularly important in cause and effect writing because it should aim to lucidly explain causal chains where one thing leads to another.

Structure: Generally, the text starts with an introduction to the event. This is followed by the ’cause’ section explaining its origins or reasons. Then comes the ‘effect’ section detailing the outcomes, consequences, or results. Lastly, a conclusion synthesizes the major points and may contain author’s opinion on the event.

Read More: Cause and Effect Examples

17. Diary/Journal Entry

Purpose: A diary or journal entry is written to express personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences, making them a form of autobiographical writing. The objective is self-reflection, documentation of life events or ideas, and emotional exploration.

Style: Being highly personal, these texts don’t normally adhere to strict stylistic protocols. Language is informal and conversational, representing the writer’s voice.

Structure: Diary or journal entries do not follow a strict format. They often start with the date and proceed with the entries. Entries can range from brief notes to detailed narratives.

18. Critical Review

Purpose: A critical review analyses, interprets, and appraises a text or other work (like a film or play). It’s meant to provide an evaluation of the item’s merit, significance, value, or relevance, based on careful examination and evidence-based claims.

Style: Even though a critical review presents the writer’s opinion, it should be a balanced, logical, and professional examination of the work.

Structure: A traditional critical review includes an introduction summarizing the key details of the work being reviewed, the body containing the evaluation, and a conclusion summarizing the review.

Read More: Critical Analysis Examples

Full List of Text Types and Genres

• Descriptive
• Argumentative / Persuasive
• Instructional
• Journalistic
• Transactional
• Exemplification
• Compare and Contrast
• Cause and Effect
• Diary/Journal Entry
• Critical Review

Understanding text types allows you to effectively communicate ideas and information to your target audience. It provides a structured framework that guides the writing process, enhancing clarity and coherence. Additionally, it aids in comprehension, helping readers navigate and understand the text in its intended way. Lastly, knowledge of text types helps improve critical reading skills, enabling readers to discern the underlying purpose and structure of various texts.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Self-Actualization Examples (Maslow's Hierarchy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Forest Schools Philosophy & Curriculum, Explained!
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Montessori's 4 Planes of Development, Explained!
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Montessori vs Reggio Emilia vs Steiner-Waldorf vs Froebel

1 thought on “18 Text Types (with Examples) – Writing Styles Explained”

Dear Professor Drew,

My name is Ana de Mesquita and I am from Brazil. I have been teaching English, French and Brazilian Portuguese as a second language since 2008. I really appreciated your article about texts. It is quite helpful. Best regards,

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