Types of written texts

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Types of written texts

TYPES OF WRITING STYLES

EXPOSITORY: Expository writing is one of the most common types of writing. When an
author writes in an expository style, all they are trying to do is explain a concept, imparting
information from themselves to a wider audience. Expository writing does not include the
author’s opinions, but focuses on accepted facts about a topic, including statistics or other
evidence Examples: Textbooks; How-to articles; Recipes; News stories (not editorials or Op-
Eds) ; Business, technical, or scientific writing

DESCRIPTIVE: Descriptive writing is often found in fiction, though it can make an

appearance in nonfiction as well (for example, memoirs, first-hand accounts of events, or travel
guides). When an author writes in a descriptive style, they are painting a picture in words of a
person, place, or thing for their audience. The author might employ metaphor or other
literary devices in order to describe the author’s impressions via their five senses (what they
hear, see, smell, taste, or touch). But the author is not trying to convince the audience of
anything or explain the scene – merely describe things as they are. Examples : Poetry;
Journal/diary writing; Descriptions of Nature; Fictional novels or plays

PERSUASIVE: Persuasive writing is the main style of writing you will use in academic
papers. When an author writes in a persuasive style, they are trying to convince the audience
of a position or belief. Any “argumentative” essay you write in school should be in the
persuasive style of writing. Examples: Cover letters; Op-Eds and Editorial newspaper articles;
Reviews of items; Letters of complaint; Advertisements; Letters of recommendation

NARRATIVE: Narrative writing is used in almost every longer piece of writing, whether
fiction or nonfiction. When an author writes in a narrative style, they are not just trying to
impart information, they are trying to construct and communicate a story, complete with
characters, conflict, and settings. Examples: Oral histories; Stories, Novels/Novellas; Poetry
(especially epic sagas or poems); Short Stories; Anecdotes

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Types of written texts

1. LETTERS

• Formal Letter • Informal Letter

(eg. letter of application/complaint/ request (eg. letter to a friend)

Structure&Useful Language Structure&Useful Language

Heading (address)

Greeting: Dear Ms. X, Greeting: Dear,

Beginning: I should like to apply for the
above post..../I am writing in response to
your advertisement in ..../ I wish to enquire
about the vacancy .../I am writing to you
about..../ I am writing in response to....../I
would like to inform you that..........
Beginning: Mentioning the last letter you
received; Making general friendly
comments; Apologising for not writing
sooner ( Many thanks for your letter..../It’s
been such a long time since..../How are
things with you?.../How was....?

Body (2-3 Paragraphs): I am seeking an Body: Introducing the topic; reasons for
opportunity to fulfil my career aspirations..../ writing; giving news about; preparing to end
I am highly experienced ..../I should be the letter (Anyway, I've got another form to
pleased to attend an interview.../Please find fill in so I'll leave you..../I must rush now
enclosed a copy of my CV..../I am writing to because........./I have to go because...........
draw your attention to....../to complaint
Ending: I'm looking forward to hearing from
about.../with regards to..../
you....../I'm looking forward to seeing
Ending: I look forward to hearing from you.........../Give my love/regards
you.../Thank you for considering this to........./Write to me soon.../Please
application..../I should be pleased to attend write/drop me a line soon
an interview...../I would be delighted to
discuss this..../I would be grateful if you Complimentary close: Best wishes,/
could..... Regards, /Love, / All the best,

ComplimentaryClose: Yours Signature: Name

faithfully,/Yours sincerely,/Best regards

Signature Line: Name

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 Types of written texts

2. E-mails

Formal e-mails Informal E-mails

Structure&Useful Language Structure&Useful Language

Greeting: Begin with a Greeting: Hello, / Hi, /

greeting: Dear Sir/Madame/
Dear Ms. X/To whom it Beginning: Reasons for writing
may concern
Body (the message you want to write)
Beginning: Thank the appologies/invitation/complaint/request/expressing
recipient: Thank you for thanks/offering advice/responding to news
contacting .../Thank you for
your prompt reply..../ 1. Ending: Give my love/regards to your family/
2. Say hello to the kids for me,/Thanks again for your help/ I
Introduce yourself: My hope to hear from you soon/ See you soon./ Write soon.
name is.../I am contacting 3. Keep in touch!
you to apply for....
4.
Body: State your purpose: EMAIL WRITING FORMAT
I am writing to enquire
about.../I am writing in
reference to...; I am writing
about....

Closing remarks: Thank

you for your patience and
cooperation.../If you have
any questions or concerns
don’t hesitate to let me
know.../Thank you in
advance/Please find
attached / I look forwaed to
hearing from you

Ending: Best
regards,/Sincerely, /All the
best/ Respectfully/ Yours
cordially,/ Your student

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Types of written texts

3. ESSAYS

Argumentative /For and Against Essays Opinion Essays

Structure&Useful Language Structure&Useful Language

• Introductory paragraph: should • Introductory paragraph: Write a

outline the topic, provide thesis statement and reasons for your
background information necessary opinion. Give your readers a hook to
to understand your argument, engage them with the topic. Address the
outline the evidence you will reader directly /Start with a quote./Start
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Types of written texts

present and states your thesis (a with a thought-provoking or rhetorical

concise, one-sentence summary of question /Refer to some striking or
your main point and claim) unusual fact, idea or situation
• Body paragraphs: you back up
your claims • Body paragraphs; Broke it in several
with examples, research, statistic paragraphs where you provide
s, studies, and text citations. arguments and supporting examples,
• Conclusion: One paragraph that statements, and facts.
restates your thesis and summarizes • A conclusion: Ending a paper, restate
all of the arguments made in your the main thesis and summarize central
body paragraphs. Rather than points of the essay
introducing new facts or more
arguments, a good conclusion will
appeal to a reader’s emotions. In
some cases, writers will use a
personal anecdote explaining how
the topic personally affects them.

TIPS FOR WRITING OPINION

ESSAYS:

Write in a formal style.  Write your

assignment as if you are giving an
important speech; Avoid slang and
jargon; Introduce the topic clearly;
Avoid unnecessary phrases and useless
facts that do not relate directly to the
topic; Start each paragraph with clear
topic sentences; outline the main idea
Use generalizations; Use present tense
when writing an opinion article

• Don’t use: colloquial expressions, short

forms, over-generalizations, statistics
without proper referencing
• Don’t give personal examples
• Don’t repeat arguments. If you have few
similar facts, group them as a single
argument.
• Avoid abbreviations
• Don’t use imperative voice
• Avoid exclamation marks, parentheses,
dashes
• Don’t address your readers as “you”

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4. STORY

WRITING STORIES WRITING STORIES

Structure Useful Language

A story is basically a narrating of real or imaginary events, Ways to start your story
involving real or imaginary people • Once upon a time
• One day
• Beginning: The beginning or the introduction of a story is • At the beginning
of essential importance. This is the part where you can hook • When it all began
the reader and capture their attention. You must have come • When it al started
across some often used beginnings to stories like, “Once Time Phrases (for the middle of the story)
upon a time” or “A long time ago”. However, you can get • Firstly, secondly, thirdly
more creative and begin your story with intrigue. • in due time; as long as; as soon as; just in time;
• Character Introduction: Your story will depend heavily on • at the moment; in good time; in the meantime
how well you write your characters. To develop your • in a moment; in ages
characters, you can use dialogues as well. But you want to • whenever
keep the dialogues limited in the shorter format. Also, do • now that
not include unnecessary secondary characters, every • instantly
character of the story must have a purpose. • without delay
• Suddenly
• Plot: Here is where the actual narration of the story will • all of a sudden
happen. The events that occur or the description of the • at the present time
situation will be written in the plot. A plot must always have • from time to time
a conflict, which is the focus of any story. • sooner or later
• at the same time
• Climax/Conclusion: And this is where the story will come
• as soon as
to its logical conclusion. If there is a plot twist, this is where
you will include it. Always end your story in an interesting Ways of ending the story
manner. Also, it is not necessary to give your story a • In the end
definite ending. • finally
• When it all ended
• After all of that
• After everything that had happened
• Once and for all
• At the end of the day
Complex grammar
• Passive
• reported/direct speech
• Conditionals
• Wish/ if only
• Past perfect , Past simple, Past continuous
• Modal verbs
• relative clauses

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5. ARTICLE

ARTICLE WRITING ARTICLES

Structure Useful Language

An article is a piece of writing written for a large audience. • Rhetorical questions:
• Have you ever…?
• Do you ever wonder…?
• What do you think about…?
• Are you a… like me?
• Are you one of those people who…?
• What would you say if I told you that…?
• Introducing new ideas:
• Firstly,
• First,
• In the rst place,
• To begin with,
• The coolest thing about
• What attracts me most
• One thing to consider is
• Another consideration is
• Secondly,
Tips: • As for
• As to
Purpose: an article must entertain the reader • Also,
• As regards
Language: text in an informal or colloquial style. The
• In addition,
language is informal: Phrasal verbs/ Contractions/ Colloquial • In addition to that,
phrases/ Exclamation marks • Moreover,
• Concluding the article:
Interesting title • In conclusion,
• On the whole,
DO’S : - Involve the reader by using a question (rhetorical
• To sum up,
questions) • To conclude,
• All in all,
- Use informal language to involve the reader We address the
• … you will not regret it!
reader directly: What about you?

Finish your article by summarising your main point and giving

your opinion or

expressing your feelings.

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6. REVIEW

WRITING REVIEWS

STRUCTURE USEFUL LANGUAGE

A review is a special type of article written for publication in Introduction:

a magazine, newspaper, etc giving a brief description and * This well-written/ informative / fascinatng/
evaluation of the film, book, play, TV/ radio programme, etc . thought-provoking book is…
It may be formal or semi-formal in style, and is usually written * The film/ book/ play/ etc. is set in….. / tells the story
using present tenses is based on…..
Paragraph1- Introduction * The film/ play starts …../ is directed by…../ is the
– make your review more interesting with personal comments to…..
Comparing and contrasting
– mention the title, the type of the book/ play/ film/etc, the
*… is even better than …
setting (when/where), the theme, the main characters, etc
*… is (not) nearly as good as …
In the 2nd and 3rd Paragraph you :
*… is twice as good as …
– include the main points of the plot ( without revealing the *… is the best I have ever seen / read / been to.
ending), and evaluate such features as the acting, writing style, in comparison with …
directions, characters etc. *One of the strongest / weakest things about …
In the last paragraph you : *In contrast, … / On the other hand, …
Phrases you can use to in the 2nd
– include an overall assessment of the work and/or a and 3rd paragraph:
recommendation, usually with justification Describing a book / film / TV programme
– you may also be asked to give reasons why someone should * … is set in …
see the film/ play or read the book, how it has influenced you, * The main character is …
etc * It tells the story of …
DO`s * The plot / dialogue / acting / characterisation is …
– DO say what it is about, but not in too much detail. * The only criticism I would make is that …
– DO remember to mention important or memorable * What I really loved about … is …
characters, *To me, … seemed …
but DON`T spend too much time just describing them. Evaluating various features:
– DO try to use a range of interesting vocabulary to bring * The play/film/series has a strong/star-studded/
the film to life for the reader. mediocre cast.
– DO remember to link ideas clearly, and to link paragraphs * The acting
together. moving/powerful/excellent/weak/disappointing/unconv
– DO remember to give your opinion clearly, as this is the * The plot is gripping/dramatic/fascinating/su
purpose of a review, but not until the end. filled/fast-moving.
Checklist: Write for the reader. Making a recommendation
Don’t talk about yourself. *I would highly / strongly recommend …
Write in an impersonal style. You don’t know your reader, so * I certainly wouldn’t recommend …
be careful about using the word you. * I strongly advise you (not) to …
Use precise, descriptive vocabulary. * Everyone should see / do / read this … immediately!
* … is not to be missed!
* Don’t bother reading / seeing / going …

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Types of written texts

7. REPORT

REPORT REPORT

Structure Useful Language

A report should be concise and easy to Phrases you can use in the introduction:
* This report is intended to show / discuss /
understand. NEVER INCLUDE outline …
UNNECESSARY INFORMATION! Title; * The aim / purpose of this report is to …
Introduction; Headings (the three points * In this report I wil
Phrases you can use to in the 2nd and 3rd
in the question); Content;
paragraph:
Recommendations; Conclusion Suggesting additional ideas
Another option would be to …
Introduction I would also suggest …
-use headings – this makes it easier to find the Another point to consider is hat …
main info Alternatively…. Moreover. / Furthermore.
Apart from this / In addition to this
-state the aim of the report and where you Making recommendations
got/ collected the information I would strongly / highly recommend …
– don’t begin with Dear Sir/ Madam – it’s My first / second recommendation would be
not a letter to ..
It would be (highly) advisable to …
Body If my recommendations are followed, then
In the 2nd Paragraph you : …
– balance the positive and negative points The best solution / ideas would seem to be …
fairly Listing ideas
I would suggest the following: … might like
– you can use numbering or bullet points to to consider the following:
highlight main points The following are highly recommended:
– don’t use a lot of adjectives and dramatic 1….. OR 2. ……….
language. A report gives factual information They gave/ suggested the following reasons:
In the 3rd Paragraph you : They made the following points: 1….2…
Reporting findings
– balance the positive and negative points It appears that the majority of …
fairly The only problem is that … .
– use a range of specific vocabulary or set Most …(students seem) … .
phrases Not surprisingly, …
According to …
Conclusion and recommendation Phrases you can use to end
In the last paragraph you : Concluding and making recommendations
– give the recommendations All things considered, …
– generalise We have no hesitation in recommending… .
– express opinions impersonally

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