This document outlines the generic structure and language features of a social function text. The generic structure includes an orientation where the scene is set and participants introduced, followed by an evaluation and a complication where a crisis arises. This is resolved, for better or worse, and optionally followed by a re-orientation. Language features focus on specific participants, use of processes, temporal conjunctions, past tense, and one-sentence headlines to summarize stories.

2. Social Function
To amuse, to entertain, and to deal with
actual or various experience in different
ways.

3. Schematic or Generic Structure
Sets the scene and introduces the
participants
A stepping back to evaluate the plight
A crisis arises
ORIENTATION
EVALUATION
COMPLICATION

4. The crisis is resolved, for
better for worse
Optional
RESOLUTION
RE-ORIENTATION

5. Language Features
a. Focus on spesific and usually individually participants
b. Use material (action) Processes
c. Use material and mental processes
d. Use temporal conjunctions and temporal circumtans
e. Use of past tense
f. Short, telegraphic information about story summarized
in one-sentence headline

6. Once upon time, there lived a woman who had two daughters.
The younger daughter was generous and kind hearted, but the older
one was greedy and mean. The older girl always bullied her younger
sister. (ORIENTATTION)
One day, both of them went to the forest, looking for firewood.
When they were taking arrest, a poor old women came and begged
for drink. The older girl said sharply, “Go away! I don’t have
anything to share with you.” But the young sister said kindly, “
Drink as much as you like.” She poured water into a tin of cup for
the old woman.

7. “ Thank you, girl! I wish to repay your kindness with a gift,
and for you will have your gift also”, said the woman. And
suddenly the old woman disappeared. (COMPLICATION)
The two girls went home and met their mother. When
th younger daughter explained what had happened, the
jewels dropped from her mouth. And the older one began to
speak out her mouth came three snakes every time she
spoke. (RESOLUTION)