Discover the different types of non-fiction text and the features that make each one distinctive.
Non-fiction writing covers all texts that deal with real information and events — as opposed to fiction, which is made up. There are several main non-fiction text types, each with a different purpose and set of distinctive features. Information reports (like encyclopaedia entries) present facts in a clear, organised way, often using headings, subheadings, and technical vocabulary. Instruction texts (like recipes or instructions) tell you how to do something in a sequence of numbered steps using imperative (bossy) verbs: ‘Mix the ingredients’, ‘Turn left at the junction’. Persuasive texts (like adverts or speeches) try to convince the reader of a point of view using emotive language, rhetorical questions, and repetition. Explanation texts explain how or why something works, using causal language (‘because’, ‘therefore’, ‘as a result’). Recounts describe events that have happened, written in the past tense. Recognising which type of text you are reading, and understanding its features and purpose, helps you read and write non-fiction more effectively.
