O text it is a written manifestation about the ideas of an author (issuer or announcer). They have the function of transmitting messages.
From the Greek, the word “text” means “fabric”. Thus, if we think about its etymological dimension, the words would be the threads and the text would be the complete and organized fabric.
Text and Context
It is important to note that the text is closely linked to the context, and only exists when this relationship is established.
In this way, a grocery list is a text, if, however, for the reader it makes sense.
So, if you find a list on a bus, this manifestation will not be considered a text, as it doesn't make sense to you, that is, it is out of context.
On the other hand, the word "silence" that appears on the walls of hospitals is linked to the context and, therefore, is considered a text.
In this way, it is clear that texts can be short, with just one word, or expressed through a set of them. However, we must pay attention to the essential characteristics and criteria of a text.
Thus, the text is not a tangle of sentences, and for it to be effective there are two fundamental criteria: cohesion and coherence.
Cohesion and Coherence
THE cohesion and the coherence they are fundamental resources used in the weaving of a text.
Thus, the cohesion establishes the harmonious connection between the different parts of the text. This can happen in the composition of paragraphs or in the structure of sentences, through conjunctions, prepositions, adverbs and pronouns.
already the coherence it is fundamental to establish a logical relationship between the ideas in a text, making them complement each other, that is, not contradict each other.
From these two fundamental resources, the text constitutes the significant “whole”.
Read too: Cohesion and Coherence.
Types of Texts and Textual Genres
According to the purpose and structure of the text, there are 5 Types of Texts:
- Narrative
- Descriptive
- essay
- exhibition
- Injunctive
You Textual genres arise from attributes belonging to different types of texts, so that they have common characteristics in relation to language and content.
In other words, textual genres are peculiar textual structures that arise from different types of texts:
- Narrative: novel, novel, chronicle, fairy tales, fable, legends.
- Descriptive: diary, reports, biography and autobiography, news, resume, shopping list, menu, classified ads.
- essay: journalistic editorial, opinion letter, review, article, essay, monograph, master's thesis and doctoral thesis.
- exhibition: seminars, lectures, conferences, interviews, academic papers, encyclopedia, dictionary entries.
- Injunctive: advertising, cooking recipe, medicine leaflet, instruction manual, regulation, prescriptive texts.
Importantly, the text genre can contain more than one text type. That is, an instruction manual presents a list of what accompanies the object (descriptive text) and the mode of execution or installation (injunctive text).
Literary and Non-Literary Texts
The substantial difference between the two text modalities, literary and non-literary, involves the use of connotative or denotative language.
In this way, literary texts, which are intended to artistically move their interlocutor (reader), use many metaphors.
This feature approximates the text of the connotative language, as we see in poems, novels, short stories, among others.
Example:
If it collapses or builds up,
if I remain or if I fall apart,
- I do not know I do not know. I don't know if I stay
or step.I know what I sing. And the song is everything.
The rhythmic wing has eternal blood.
And one day I know I'll be mute:
- nothing more.
(Excerpt from the poem Reason by Cecília Meireles)
In turn, the use of denotative language it is exclusive to non-literary texts. They have the main purpose of informing the reader, for example, news, textbooks, dictionaries, dissertations and theses, etc.
Example:
Male noun.
The very words that are read in an author, in a law, etc. (options the comment).
The very words used by an author in their original language (oppos. the translation).
Words quoted to demonstrate or document something.
Scripture passage that serves as sermon theme.
Typography Matter of a page or a printed book; variety of typefaces measuring 16 points.
(Definition of Text in the Online Dictionary of Portuguese - Dicio)
Read too:
- Text Production
- Text Interpretation Exercises
- Literary and Non-Literary Text
- Connotation and Denotation
- Text Interpretation Tips
