The article deals with lexical-stylistic features of a travel narrative in the light of the text- forming role of the lexicon illustrated with travel sketches by I. A. Goncharov in “Frigate Pallada”. There were allocated some vocabulary groups, which form the lexical composition of the text, i. e. performing the text-forming function in the sketches. It was found that the implementation of the text-forming function occurs differently: linear or nonlinear way. The vocabulary that implements this function in a linear way includes ethnonyms, toponyms, names of exotic realities, regional language, marine language. Lexical units of these groups are evenly distributed all over the text and form the lexical “core” of the work. The vocabulary that implements this function in a nonlinear way includes key words of those parts of sketches that contain the author's conceptual vision of the world image. The vocabulary of both types makes up the sketches' genre and stylistic originality and reflects two stages of knowledge - observation and reflection.