Textual Modalities: Description, Exposition, and Narration

The Description

The description language is the representation of objects, beings, feelings, landscapes, and processes, whether real or imagined. The description has several purposes: to inform, explain, or argue.

Types of Description

It describes the qualities that define the object or being, the parts that make it up, its functions, the spatial and temporal circumstances in which it exists, and its relationships with other objects and beings.

1. Perspective: Depending on the action of the issuer, it can be objective (scientific, technical, or journalistic texts) or subjective (personal letters).
2. Position and Movement: It can be painterly vision (motionless object and subject), cinematic vision (motionless object and subject), and topographic view (still object and moving subject).

In the predominant objective description, the referential function of language prevails; in the subjective, the expressive and poetic functions are central.

The Exposition

The exposition is an explanation presented in a clear, orderly, and coherent manner. It may be oral or written. The basic purpose of expository texts is the transmission of information, which is why they develop a variety of topics.

The General Structure

1. Introduction
2. Development of exposure
3. Conclusion

In developing the exposition, various forms of content organization will be used, which correspond to different structures of exposition.

The Narration

The narration consists of counting or narrating events that have happened or referring to a fictional story. The account is used for different purposes: to inform, entertain, explain, and persuade. The narrative may include other modalities, especially description and dialogue.

Elements of Narration

The basic elements of the story are the characters and actions, which follow a chronological and causal order and are placed in a specific space and time.

Basic Structure

1. An initial state from which it starts.
2. A conflict.
3. A denouement (outcome).

In a story, the referential function dominates, and in the case of a literary narrative, the poetic function is also central through the use of expressive resources.

The Argumentation

The argument is a mode in which reasons are invoked to justify or prove a particular statement. The purpose of argumentation is to convince the receiver to act a certain way or believe what is stated. The appellate function predominates.

The Basic Structure

1. Item
2. Thesis
3. Development of arguments
4. Conclusion

Types of Arguments

Cause, comparison, contrast, consistency, and the criterion of authority.

Characteristics

Predominantly appellate, referential, expressive, and poetic functions.