Textual prototypes Definition and examples

To know what are textual prototypes and knowing its characteristics helps us in a great way to write texts that meet the communicative objective that we have.

Textual prototypes are easily identifiable because their characteristics emerge from the texts and are evident to the reader. We know that this topic is of great help and that is why we want to tell you what textual prototypes are, what their characteristics are and some examples so that you understand in depth.

What are textual prototypes?

Textual prototypes are a set of characteristics that are applied to a particular text, which allow it to be characterized or grouped within a group of common texts.

In other words, textual prototypes refer to the way we organize texts according to their function.

Textual prototypes are not only used in texts, as their name would indicate, these types of prototypes are also evident in other forms of speech such as everyday speech. In textual terms, when speaking of discourse, we mean any structured manifestation of language.

Properties of textual prototypes

The main property of textual prototypes is their ability to influence the reader through a particular use of speech..

The properties of textual prototypes, refers to their characteristics. You should know that the textual prototypes are 5:

• Argumentation
• Description
• Dialogue
• Exposition
• Narration

Each of them has distinctive features and fulfills a different function within the discourse..

Classification and examples of textual prototypes

It is time to get to know each of the textual prototypes, explore their characteristics and see how they develop in textual examples.

1. Argumentation

The argumentative texts aim to convince the reader or receiver that what is stated is true, through ideas that support the main thesis.

The main characteristics of argumentative texts are:

• They have a persuasive function
• Using arguments to reinforce ideas.
• Use of propositions with their interpretation.

Example of argumentative text

You build reality with your mind, think about it this way, it all depends on the perception we have about things, things are good or bad according to how we categorize them in our mind.

Carl Jung said: "I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to be", in this sentence what I say is synthesized, our mind shapes reality and then we become the living result of our thoughts.

2. Description

Description consists of use words to explain the qualities of a thing, in such a way that it is understood in the best possible way.

The characteristics of the descriptive texts are:

• Preoccupation with presenting the characteristics of something in detail.
• High level of observation.
• It is generally used within various types of texts of different nature.
• They are like a kind of pictures made with words.

Descriptive text example

With this you will understand why that was one of the most beautiful mornings of my life: It was the first time that he woke up at home, his blue sheets reminded me of the sea, the silhouette of his sleeping figure looked like a star, his arms outstretched, his legs stretched completely, his chest swinging up and down as an undoubted sign of life, his tangled beard guarding the secrets of his lips, his eyes closed, looking in and in the background a window where the city was waking up in the middle of a sky full of altocumulus.

3. Dialogue

Dialogue at the discursive level is the traditional form of human communication. Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people exchanging ideas and points of view.

The main characteristics of the dialogue are:

• The dialogue has a more spontaneous character than the other textual prototypes.
• Dialogue is a conversation exercise in which the participants take part as senders and receivers.
• Within a dialogue all parties have an active role.

Dialog example

-I think the clouds are alive

-How can you affirm that?

-They are in constant movement, and everything that is alive has the fundamental characteristic of movement..

-But there are dead things that move ...

-But those are moved by something alive

4. Exposure

Expository speeches are those that aim to inform or account for a certain topic.

Characteristics of the expository texts:

• There are expository texts of different natures, the main ones being scientific, informative, educational, humanistic or legal.
• Expository texts present an exchange of facts or ideas from an objective point of view.
• The expository texts have a logical order.

Expository text example

According to the results of the survey on quality of life in low socioeconomic strata in Latin America, these types of communities see their health rights violated by 60%, decent work by 77% and basic public services by 30%.

5. Narration

Within the textual prototypes, the narrative consists of a structured way of neatly telling an event, in a certain place, with certain characters and certain circumstances.

• Narrative texts relate an event through a logical sequence.
• You can make use of stylistic figures.
• You can do a creative management of time and characters, as long as we comply with textual coherence.

Narrative text example

At dawn they were ready to start their new adventure, he was determined to call her and she knew that her phone would ring at any moment. When he took out his phone he felt a chill in his heart, he saw a photo of her wearing the same shirt he was wearing. He dialed her number in a hurry, but she did not answer, he wrote a message and the signal seemed not to respond, his despair grew when he saw that he seemed to have lost any communication with her. I was thinking about this when they knocked on the door, I was thinking that maybe it took a long time to confess her love, suddenly, a perfume invaded the room, it came from the front door, he recognized it immediately, he could never forget it, it was the perfume of she who was a door away from him.

We hope this information on textual prototypes helps you better understand the scope of the word.