Reading: Understanding Different Text Types & Genres: B2 Lesson 2: Understanding Essays, Short Stories, and Simpler Academic or Technical Texts

Text Types & Genres

B2 Lesson 2: Essays, Stories & Technical Texts

Goal: Analyze text structure and tone to distinguish between a Narrative (Story), an Argument (Essay), and an Exposition (Academic/Technical).

1. Genre Vocabulary

Narrative រឿងនិទាន (Tells a story)

Essay អត្ថបទតែងសេចក្តី (Argues an idea)

Academic អត្ថបទសិក្សា (Facts/Data)

Objective សត្យានុម័ត (Facts, no feelings)

2. The 3 Structures

How is the text built? Look at the structure to find the genre.

The Story Shape: A Mountain ⛰️
(Beginning -> Climax -> End)
Tone: Emotional, Personal.

📖

The Essay Shape: A Pillar 🏛️
(Intro -> Arguments -> Conclusion)
Tone: Persuasive, Opinionated.

⚖️

The Report Shape: Bricks 🧱
(Headings, Data, Bullet Points)
Tone: Neutral, Objective.

🔬

3. Compare: Climate Change

Read these three texts about the same topic. Notice the difference in style.

Text A (Narrative)

"The water rose quickly. Heng grabbed his daughter and climbed onto the roof. He watched sadly as his rice field disappeared under the dark floodwaters. He had never seen a storm this bad."

Text B (Essay / Argument)

"We must act now to stop climate change. It is irresponsible to ignore the problem. Governments should invest in solar energy immediately to protect our future."

Text C (Academic / Technical)

"Global temperatures have risen by 1.1°C since 1880. Data indicates a 20% increase in severe weather events in Southeast Asia over the last decade (Smith, 2023)."

4. Genre Check

1. Which text uses words like "should", "must", and "I believe"? An Essay (Argumentative) A Technical Text

2. Which text focuses on characters, plot, and feelings? Academic Text Short Story (Narrative)

3. Which text uses numbers, dates, and objective facts? Academic / Technical Text Essay