By Dr Beverly Derewianka
🏆 Highly Commended — Educational Publishing Awards Australia 2020
Primary: Reference Resource
Second Edition
Six essential genres, real classroom case studies and practical language-focused teaching strategies from one of Australia's leading literacy educators.
Exploring How Texts Work is a trusted professional resource that helps teachers understand how different text types achieve their purposes through language and structure. Written by renowned language and literacy expert Dr Beverly Derewianka, this highly regarded second edition bridges theory and classroom practice, showing teachers how explicit knowledge about language can strengthen students' reading, writing and oral communication.
Drawing on a functional approach to language, the book explores six key genres taught across the primary years: recounts, instructions, narratives, information reports, explanations and arguments. Through detailed classroom case studies, practical teaching activities and clear explanations of language features, Derewianka demonstrates how teachers can help students understand not only what texts say, but how they create meaning.
Inside this book you'll explore:
- A practical introduction to a functional approach to language and literacy
- The structure, purpose and language features of six key curriculum genres
- Recounts, instructions, narratives, information reports, explanations and arguments
- Classroom teaching activities and curriculum connections for every genre
- Language highlights that deepen understanding of how texts work
- Case studies from Years 2–6 demonstrating effective classroom practice
- The powerful connections between oral language, reading and writing
Each genre chapter includes curriculum context, a summary of key text features, a classroom teaching activity, a language focus and practical curriculum links. Rich classroom examples bring the theory to life, making this an invaluable guide for teachers wanting to teach genre explicitly and confidently.
Why purchase this book?
- Learn from one of Australia's most influential experts in language and literacy education
- Gain a deeper understanding of how texts work to achieve different purposes
- Access practical classroom strategies supported by authentic case studies
- See how language knowledge can strengthen reading, writing and speaking outcomes
- Explore important concepts such as genre, register, description and the relationship between oral and written language
- Build confidence teaching text structures and language features across the primary years
- Connect linguistic theory directly to everyday classroom practice
Sample Chapter
Download a Sample Chapter →
Ideal for
- Pre-service teachers
- Early career teachers
- Primary classroom teachers
- Literacy leaders
- Instructional coaches
- Assistant principals
- Deputy principals
Purchasing Information
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Exploring How Texts Work. To purchase the
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