DRAFT Text Type Overview of Language Features(to be used in conjunction with Australian Curriculum English & QSA 2008 Grammar Scope and Sequence)

Purposes / Structure / Year 1 / Year 2,3 / Year 4,5 / Year 6,7
Narrative / To entertain
  • orientation
  • sequence of events
  • problem / resolution
  • conclusion
/ Writing
Innovation on text
Eg Rosie’s Walk
Mrs Wishy Washy
  • related nouns and pronouns for characters (Jack, the boy, he)
  • doing, relating, saying, thinking and feeling verbs
  • circumstances - who, when, where, how, why
  • describing words
  • simple conjunctions
  • past tense, dialogue
  • sentence patterns
/
  • extended noun groups with added attributes
  • short verb groups and circumstances of time and location add information
  • simple and compound sentences
  • statements, questions and commands in dialogue (reading)
  • past and present verb tense
  • the beginning of a sentence carries key information. (theme position)
  • simple conjunctions – adding and comparing
  • ideas are linked through repeated words and synonyms.
  • pronouns agree with the words they refer to
/
  • how noun and verb groups link characters, setting and plot
  • verbs and nouns signal relationships between characters
  • being, doing, thinking, saying, relating verbs
  • pronoun reference chains
  • conjunctions
  • first (I, we) third person (they)
  • past , present , future tense
  • descriptive language
  • use of theme/rheme to focus reader attention
  • A clause can represent what is happening; who or what is taking part; circumstances of time and place
  • effective use of simple, compound and complex sentences
/
  • human and non-human participants
  • range of processes (action, thinking, feeling verbs)
  • circumstances – setting time & place
  • participant/process groups using attributes
  • pronoun reference chains
  • conjunctions
  • first (I, we) third person (they)
  • past tense / present tense / future tense
  • dialogue
  • descriptive / figurative language
  • use of theme/rheme to focus reader attention
  • varying mood – characters using questions or commands

Recount / To retell events
  • orientation
  • events in time-order
  • re-orientation /evaluation (optional)
/ Focus on: sequencing ideas, matching pictures and events and oral retelling
  • topic related nouns
  • modelled sentence structures
  • past tense
  • time references at beginning of sentences
/ Focus on: orientation, sequence of events and re-orientation
  • extending actions by adding circumstances of time or location (beginning of sentence);
  • past tense
  • conjunctions to add information
  • action and thinking verbs to make comment
/ Focus on: making connections between people, places, events and things
  • sequencing using circumstances of time in theme position
  • conjunctions and text connectives indicating time
  • paragraphing relating to changes in time
/ Focus: scientific, historic or literary events
  • specific nouns and noun groups including technical terms
  • action and mental processes
  • time references in theme position
  • paragraphing with a range of text connectives

Procedure / To give instructions in sequence
  • goal
  • materials
  • method
  • evaluation (optional)
/
  • doing verbs
  • commands
  • describing words to add information
  • simple conjunctions to add ideas
/
  • doing verb at beginning of commands
  • patterns of short noun and verb groups in instructions
  • some technical vocabulary
  • adding information in labels
/
  • action verbs in theme position
  • headings and sub-headings
  • adding detail through adjectives and adjectival clauses
  • use of colon and dot points
  • understanding of second person
/
  • action verbs in theme position
  • second person - commands
  • text connectives to sequence, clarify and show cause and effect
  • added clauses of explanation and description

Report / To describe, investigate, inform
  • generalisation
  • classification / behaviours
  • observation / comment
  • conclusion/recommendations
/ modelled text with a focus on observation/comment
  • topic related words
  • key information is in theme position in the sentence
  • relating verbs in present tense
  • key information is contained in noun groups
  • some describing words
/ follows a modelled text
  • a general observation or comment
  • factual descriptions / observations
  • relating and action processes are used
  • sentences have a range of noun groups in theme position
  • adjectives add detail to noun groups
  • conjunctions add or compare information
/
  • general classification
  • detailed observations
  • conclusion
  • a concluding statement
  • some technical nouns
  • adjectives and adjectival phrases in noun groups
  • pronoun references closely linked to nouns
  • relational and action processes in present tense
  • circumstances to add information (place, manner, cause)
  • conjunctions to add, compare or show cause
/
  • technical title
  • an introductory paragraph and clear topic sentences in paragraphs
  • a concluding statement
  • topic focus in theme position in sentences
  • elaborations in dependent and independent clauses
  • related noun groups using technical nouns
  • relational and action processes in present tense
  • text connectives – list description, problem solution, cause/effect, comparison

Explanation / To explain phenomena
  • definition
  • components
  • explanatory sequence
/ Build on descriptions and recounts
  • topic related nouns and pronouns
  • present tense
  • adjectives and adverbs to add detail
/ Build on descriptions and recounts
  • some technical vocabulary
  • present tense
  • time and sequence connectives
  • adjectives and adverbs to
/
  • general statement
  • sequenced explanation
  • general nouns and noun groups
  • present tense
  • clauses to elaborate how and shy
  • text connectives of time and cause/effect
  • alternating theme/rheme
/
  • general statement and/or definition
  • logically sequenced paragraphs
  • present tense
  • detailed descriptions
  • high modality
  • alternating theme/rheme for processes
  • often passive voice

Exposition / To argue or persuade
A thesis presented from a particular point of view
  • thesis
  • series of arguments
  • reiteration
/ Orally
  • statements provide information
  • questions ask about something
  • adding reasons for personal likes and dislikes eg. because…
/
  • statements of belief
  • doing, thinking and feeling verbs
  • first person for personal opinions
  • key ideas in theme position
  • simple conjunctions to add information or compare ideas
  • ideas linked by related words, repeated words and phrases and simple synonyms
/
  • circumstances to elaborate when, where, why and how
  • adjectives and verbs construct positive and negative subject matter
  • paragraphs and connectives link ideas
  • conjunctions o f place, time, manner and cause and example
  • referring words (these) link ideas
  • like ideas in a paragraph
/
  • general, abstract and technical nouns
  • mental processes
  • elaborate ideas in dependent and independent clauses
  • choose modals to indicate degree of certainty, or probability
  • evaluative nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs express opinion
  • select conjunctions to link clauses
  • repetition to emphasise