About Text Types

(edited from InThinking)

Group 1 - simple & direct

These text types are 'everyday' writing tasks. They mainly involve the student using personal
experience, and their own usual thinking procedures, so they can be seen as 'natural' forms of
expression.

Written correspondence (informal letter, email)

Purpose:
+ establish a personal relationship with the reader through writing
+ be entertaining and express emotions
+ tell anecdotes clearly, arousing interest
+ use informal, colloquial language which remains easily understandable
Features:
* will adopt an informal register
* will adopt a lively, engaging style, perhaps with some ‘youth-speak’
* will maintain a clear sense of address to a specific person
* will have opening and closing salutations
* may use the layout of an email (sender’s and recipient’s email addresses)

Blog
Purpose:
+ engage the audience with stimulating points of view
+ explore opinions and arguments using critical thinking
+ express points of view clearly and cogently
Features:
* will adopt a semi-formal to informal register
* will have an eye-catching title
* will use first person narration
* will show awareness of the reader, e.g. through direct address to the reader
* may include a direct request for comment and response at the end
Diary entry
Purpose:
+ recount events and select details effectively, with relevance and focus
+ reflect on personal experience and develop insight
+ express emotions with appropriate language, carefully and precisely
Features:
* will most probably adopt an informal register
* will use first person narration
* will indicate location in time e.g. headed with a date or day
* will express reflection on the part of the writer, e.g. self-questioning

Set of instructions, guidelines

Purpose:
+ analyse systems and processes in order to extract key points
+ organise and explain key points methodically and with focused purpose
+ express ideas clearly and concisely
+ adapt explanations appropriately to the target audience
Features:
Features:
* will use a semi-formal register which is clear, functional and efficient
* will have a main heading / title
* will have a methodical organisation, probably emphasised by sub-headings, bullet points, etc
* will be adapted to the target audience (most easily detected by efforts to anticipate difficulties)

News report
Purpose:
+ analyse an event in order to extract key information
+ express key information concisely and clearly
+ organise the sequence of explanation in order to communicate clearly and efficiently
+ select information appropriately to suit the target audience
Features:
* will have a headline, and possibly sub-headline + by-line
* will use a semi-formal register - i.e. simple, clear and direct
* will deploy factual information methodically, usually from main facts to subordinate details
* will usually employ short paragraphs, for clear and accessible reading
Group 2 - difficulty variable, according to task
The text types in this group are common typical writing tasks in language classes. However, such
experience may well have been at a simple level. They can be made more accessible or more
challenging by varying the precise requirements of the task.

Introduction to debate, speech, talk, presentation

Purpose:
+ choose a clear approach to, or 'angle' on, the topic or issue
+ organise explanation and argument to form a lucid and convincing case
+link ideas together effectively and explicitly
+ engage the audience through direct address and rhetorical effects
Features:
* will adopt a semi-formal to formal register, perhaps with flashes of informality
* will include speech rhetoric e.g. rhetorical questions, repetition, flashes of humour
* will address the audience and keep contact with them throughout (use “we” and “you” etc.)
* will catch the audience’s attention at the beginning, and leave a clear impression at the end

Brochure, leaflet, flyer, pamphlet, advertisement

Purpose:
+ focus coherently on a selected subject area
+ analyse an audience's likely interests and responses
+ choose and develop a persuasive approach
+ organise ideas methodically, and express them in appropriate language
Features:
* will adopt a semi-formal register, and/or direct address to the intended audience
* will have a main heading or promotional slogan, as appropriate
* will make use of multiple sections: identified by sub-headings, bullet points, etc
* will present lucid overall structure of argument
* may include background information : e.g. 'Contact us' + phone number / email
Article
Purpose:
+ analyse and extract the key elements of a subject area
+ identify an approach to, or 'angle' on, the subject area
+ engage the audience with an interesting introduction
+ combine clear explanation and/or argument with vivid supporting detail
+ organise the sequence of ideas clearly and methodically
+ express ideas lucidly in language appropriate to both subject and audience
Features:
* will have a title and the name of the author
* will adopt a semi-formal to formal register (as appropriate to task)
* will have an appropriate / engaging introduction and conclusion
* will use a lively journalistic / magazine style

Review
Purpose:
+ analyse key elements of the subject of the review
+ identify an interesting and stimulating approach to, or 'angle' on, the subject
+ engage the audience with an interesting introduction
+ support subjective opinions with objective evidence
+ organise the sequence of ideas clearly and methodically
+ express ideas lucidly in language appropriate to both subject and audience
Features:
* will adopt a consistent register (informal, semi-formal or formal)
* will have a title
* will use a lively, direct style aimed to interest and entertain the readers
* may have sub-headings.
Group 3 - intrinsically challenging
These are considered 'intrinsically challenging' because they involve one or more of the following
complexities:
• complicated conventional forms and format (e.g. formal letter, official report)
• carefully planned and developed ideas, linked clearly and effectively, for specific purpose (e.g. essay,
proposal)
• specific use of language, largely formal and/or sophisticated (e.g. essay, interview)
In order to handle these text types effectively, students need to find examples, and analyse / reflect on
them in some depth.

Written correspondence formal letter (eg: to the editor)

Purpose:
+ establish an impersonal but businesslike relationship with the reader through writing
+ focus consistently on the purpose of the letter
+express ideas clearly, and relate them efficiently to the purpose of the letter
+ use formal language economically and with precision
Features:
* will adopt a semi-formal to formal register
* will include the formal aspects of a letter (date, greeting, closing salutation, etc)
* will express ideas economically / concisely
* may express ideas in vivid, punchy phrases; this should be rewarded

Essay (SL only)

Purpose:
+ identify the central issue(s) to be discussed
+ decide on a consistent approach e.g. analysing objectively or arguing a case
+ define significant terms as the basis for the argument
+ organise a methodical structure of argument
+ use counter-argument for rebuttal purposes
+ select an appropriate register, and express it in consistently-chosen language
Features:
* will have a stated sense of purpose / aim directed at a clear issue or question
* will have introduction + conclusion linked to the 'sense of purpose'.
* will have clear organisation : both in terms of the individual steps of the argument, and overall
structure.
* will support the organisation with appropriate paragraphing, use of cohesive devices, etc
Official report
Purpose:
+ decide what the target audience needs to know, and why
+ present explanations methodically, in a logical sequence
+ use structure and cohesive devices to present the ideas clearly
+ handle, as appropriate, formal and impersonal language
Features:
* will use a basically formal register
* will use a title introducing the subject
* will have clear organisation, usually indicated by sub-headings, numbered sections, etc
* will usually, depending on task, be addressed to a specific audience

Proposal (HL only)

Purpose:
+ decide on key concepts, and distinguish which are more or less acceptable
+ present ideas persuasively, bearing in mind the target audience's likely attitudes
+ develop explanations methodically, in a logical sequence
+ use structure and cohesive devices to present the ideas clearly
+ handle, as appropriate, formal and impersonal language
Features:
* will use a basically formal register
* will indicate the specific audience to which the proposal is addressed
* will indicate clearly the purpose of the proposal, probably through an overall title or heading
* will show methodical organisation, probably through use of headings, numbered sub-sections, etc

Interview (embedded)
Purpose:
+ choose as significant key ideas drawn from the interview
+ describe context and explain background
+ insert quotations effectively to support a lucid flow of ideas
+ combine direct language for explanation with colloquial language in the quotations
Features:
* will have a title and the name of the author
* will adopt a semi-formal to formal register; may include informal in the quotations
* will have appropriate introduction and conclusion, indicating the point of the interview
* will use a lively journalistic style, aimed at involving and interesting the audience