PERSONAL FUNCTIONAL TEXTS: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Personal functional texts are those elaborated with the intention that they serve to fulfill a personal objective, indicating to someone an expected behavior or action.

In these, an eminently appealing function of language is noted. A typical example of a functional text is a tutorial that indicates the steps to follow to achieve something.

Sometimes these writings even indicate the necessary materials to achieve the stated objective.

Functional texts are usually very present in human everyday life, although sometimes it is not noticed.

However, in the case of personal functional texts, these are writings that someone makes to satisfy their own need.

In these, the author exposes reliable and very his own data, in order to obtain something very specific.

They do not have a defined format or extension. Its language is clear and it can use any graphic element that contributes to the issuer's objective.

Top 10 examples of personal functional texts

1- The notes made in class

These are the notes that the student takes during the teacher's explanation or presentation on a specific topic.

It does not have to be the verbatim transcription of the teacher's oral presentation, but rather a series of key ideas for the subsequent review of the subject, so necessary for the establishment of knowledge.

Some recommend that these ideas be put into the form of a list of keywords or mind maps, to make writing easier and more effective.

Such ideas should be stated clearly and in order, along with the date, examples, and other meaningful details to help you remember the rest of the important information in that class.

2- The blog

It is a descriptive writing of the passing of an academic, research or recreational activity.

In this, all the activities carried out are recorded in chronological order and with as much detail as possible. Doubts and discoveries that have arisen in the process are also included.

In the field of scientific research, these texts become extremely important because they become guides on what to do and what not to do, for example, during an experiment.

They can also serve as a supporting document to support or disprove theories about an area of ​​natural science.

3- The agenda

It is a list of things to do in a certain time. They are usually written in notebooks or notebooks specifically formatted for this purpose.

This format has the space identified with the dates and times in which the tasks have to be done. They usually include one or more calendars as well.

The notebook or notebook where this is written is called an agenda. The size, design and complexity of an agenda depends on the tastes and needs of the person.

School agendas include some pages prepared for posting the school schedule.

4- Family letter

It is a very personal type of text. In this information is usually placed that interests to make the knowledge of relatives, friends and / or trusted people.

Plain and colloquial language is used in a letter, full of sensory images and opinions.

5- The memorandum

It is an official document in which someone is informed or notified about a certain situation.

It is usually an institutional document, but it becomes personal when a boss writes it directly to a subordinate to indicate crucial information for their work.

6- Application

It is a type of letter in which one person makes a formal request to another, whether for commercial or other purposes.

It usually uses a formal, clear and professional language. Regarding its structure, it usually presents the same as a letter.

7- The autobiography

It is a text in which the person tells his own life experience; their experiences, their memories, their fears, among other elements.

They usually have an expressive purpose, but they are also made with the objective of becoming testimonies of a historical moment or event, such as the Confessions of Saint Augustine.

8- Circular

It is an official document with which it is intended to inform several people simultaneously of an important matter.

It is usually made up of the company letterhead, the “circular” title with its corresponding number, the date, the body, the closing and the signature of the issuer with his position in the institution.

9- The diary

In these texts the author narrates what happens to him in the day with all the impressions and emotions that these things generate.

In a journal you start by writing the date, followed by prose about your experience on the day.

They can also be functional because they become a record of a person's life, which may become relevant in some area of ​​society or can serve as testimony about how an important historical process is lived.

An example of the latter is represented by the Diary of Anne Frank.

10- Telephone directory

It is the support where the contact details of a series of people with whom a personal or work relationship is maintained are recorded.

These days they are usually the most precious section of an electronic device for many people.

References

1. College of Open Higher Education (s / f). Writing workshop. Functional texts. Recovered from: cemsa.edu.mx
2. Web content (s / f). Functional texts. Recovered from: contentweb.info
3. Literary creation (2011). Types of functional texts. Recovered from: creacionliteraria.net
4. Guevara, Eleana (2012). External and internal characteristics of functional texts. Recovered from: emaguesevolucioneducativa.blogspot.com
5. Martinez, Catherine. What are Functional Texts? (with Examples). Recovered from: lifeder.com
6. Moreno, Sergio (2013). Personal functional texts. Recovered from: leeryredaccionunivia.wordpress.com
7. Study (2017). What is a functional text? Recovered from: study.com
8. Reading and writing workshop (2011). Personal functional texts. Recovered from: taller-ii.blogspot.com