WRITING TYPES

By Ben Greenman

from forthcoming collection, as yet untitled 

Writing can be done for a number of different purposes and different audiences. These different forms of writing are known as “text types.” Factual texts inform, instruct or persuade by giving facts and information, while literary texts entertain or elicit an emotional response by using language to create mental images. Factual texts cannot entertain or elicit an emotional response, while literary texts cannot inform, instruct or persuade. Any text that tries to do the job of the other kind of text will be immediately addressed by the authorities. Audiences encountering texts may notice nearby figures, male or female, dressed in dark clothing and holding umbrellas even when it is not raining. These are compliance agents entrusted with ensuring that neither type of text crosses over into the other. They are armed and permitted to employ deadly force to prevent the interpenetration of types. They are required to employ this force. Nearly every compliance agent has drawn a weapon and fired, stilling the quickening of his or her heartbeat with years of training, shooting first the text and then the member or members of the audience encountering that text. At other times agents seek out those creating the texts and fire upon them with prevention in mind. Weapons can be drawn for a number of different purposes and different audiences. Writing can be done.