Within the composition strand, the genres sub-strand requires students to use
their writing skills to compose meaningful texts in a variety of genres.
Students are expected to write multiple literary, informational, and argumentative
texts as well as other types of texts. At all grade levels, students compose
literary texts. They write a variety of literary texts, such as personal
narratives, poetry, and fiction. Students apply what they have learned about
literary texts at each grade level to write their own texts that demonstrate
genre characteristics and craft.
For example, students may be asked to compose original poetry using rhyme,
figurative language, and sound devices. Students at each grade level also
compose informational texts that provide the reader with fact-based information
on a topic. At the lower elementary grades, students develop procedural texts
and reports. In the middle grades, they compose brief compositions and multi-
paragraph essays. In high school, students write personal and explanatory essays,
reports, and resumes. As with other genres, student informational texts are expected
to reflect common genre characteristics with which students are familiar, such as
controlling idea or thesis, text features, and organizational patterns. The genre
sub-strand also calls for students to develop argumentative texts. Beginning in
grade 3, students compose opinion essays and multi-paragraph argumentative text
using the characteristics and craft they have studied as readers. This may include
developing a well-thought-out claim, facts for and against an argument, and
counterarguments. Students compose other text types as well, including
correspondence and analysis. Beginning in second grade, students develop thank you
letters and later progress to writing requests for information and
correspondence registering a complaint. Lastly, as students become more
proficient writers in high school, they compose literary and rhetorical analysis.
To encourage the development of proficient writers, students should have
multiple opportunities to write in different genres.
Explore the TEKS Guide's Demonstrated Proficiency section below for specific
ideas related to the genre sub-strand.