Introductory Note

This unit presents the basic concepts relating to the language use above the level of the grammatical sentence. First, the text-as-product, as we know it from the literary tradition of the written language, is contrasted with the text- as-process, which is usually known as discourse, a concept that implies the totality of factors contributing to the construction of a coherent and identifiable “message”. Next, the terms “register” and “genre” are clarified, a necessary step in the study of any type of text (oral or written, monologue or conversational). Lastly, a taxonomy of the genres and types of texts is proposed, adapted to the teaching needs of the subject “Expression and Composition” (Ekthesi-Ekfrasi).