English B

Text Type: Official Report

In the professional world, decision makers rely on two broad types of report: Some reports
focus primarily on information ('what is being done now,' or 'what the survey/research
found ). But beyond merely providing information, many reports also include analysis ('what
this information means for future policy,' 'what courses of action should be considered,'
'what action should be taken and why'). . . .

FORMAT FEATURES

• Register formal
• Language impersonal and factual (avoid first person “I” and emotive vocabulary)
• Uses cautious language e.g. “may'” and “could” etc.
• Uses straightforward but precise language
• Content is logically organized and concise

Organization of Content

• Report Title
• Name(s) of Author(s)
• Short Summary of the Report
• Introduction
• Headings and Sub-Headings
• Conclusions

Example
Example excerpts from a Report on an American Community Health Survey

Purpose

This report presents the findings from the first phase of the Multnomah County Community
Health Assessment. This first phase is the Community Themes and Strengths Assessment, and
was conducted from September 2010 through April 2011. This study is the first of four
complementary assessments based on the National Association of County and City Health
Officials’ (NACCHO) Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) model.
MAPP is a community planning process developed to identify key health issues and
recommendations to improve public health through the involvement of community members
and stakeholders from community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, and
government. The process is facilitated by public health leaders and is intended to increase the
efficiency, effectiveness, and, ultimately, the performance of local public health systems

Process

The Community Health Survey was conducted during the spring of 2011. The purpose of the
survey was to collect opinions and perceptions of health in Multnomah County from specific
populations that may have been missed in previous health assessments, such as residents of
Mid-County and East County. Survey questions elicited opinions on key factors that improve
quality of life, the most important health problems, and risky behaviors that have the greatest
impact on community health in this county. The survey also asked respondents to rate their
health and their community’s health on a five point Likert scale.

What do you notice about the language in this report?

• how personal or impersonal the language is

• how formal the language is
• the kinds of vocabulary are used
• the use of active or passive form
• the verb tenses used
• types of sentences used
 ENGLISH B

TEXT TYPE : AN INTERVIEW

CONTEXT

Purpose

To inform, to discuss controversial issues and entertain

Example Audience

Radio audience – often a specific market segment e.g. BBC Radio 4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

Language

Written transcript of spoken language

Level of formality will depend on contextual factors such as topic, speaker and radio station

FORMAT

• question-answer pattern
• more open questions than closed
• modality in asking questions e.g. “Do you think fathers ---” “ Should families ----”
• introduction of the guest by the radio host
• transition strategies when switching aspects of a topic
• conclusion by the radio host

EXAMPLE TASK

Based on “Throw Away Daughter.” A local radio station interviews Jane Parker about her
experience of going to China to collect her adopted baby daughter. Write THE INTERVIEW.
 ENGLISH B

Text Type : E- Mail (Written Correspondence)

Example Context

You are concerned about the unhealthy lifestyle of a close friend who is now living in America.

Purpose

To express concern and offer advice

Audience

A close personal friend

Format

• subject line
• informal salutation
• introduction containing both elements of small talk (original phatic communication*) and
reason for writing
• body paragraphs containing your comments and advice
• conclusion which sums up your advice and ends with appropriate small talk
• signature
• register semi-formal with occasional abbreviation for authenticity

Example Task

You are concerned about a close friend who is now living in America. You know that he/she is
spending far too many hours playing internet games and networking with friends overseas via
Facebook. You decide to e-mail your friend expressing your concern and giving some advice about
how to live a more healthy lifestyle.

* terminology

Phatic communication is communication that is intended more to share feelings or establish an

atmosphere of sociability rather than to communicate facts. It is most commonly applied to speech.
http://tcbdevito.blogspot.sg/2007/11/abcd-phatic-communion.html
 English B

Text Type: Blog

A blog is like a public diary, written from a personal point of view, but also written to
share the writer's thoughts, feelings and beliefs with others.

1. Make your opinion known.

People want to know what people think. Using 1st person is fine.

2. Have a snappy headline. Contain your whole argument in your headline. Check out National

newspapers to see how they do it.

3. You can include bullet point lists We all love lists, it structures the information in an easily

digestible format.

4. Edit your post Good writing is in the editing. Before you hit the submit button, re-read your post

and cut out the stuff that you don’t need.

5. You must have an interesting readable style. Blogs are known for their casual writing and
unpredictable subject material, but the best blogs have proven that even "novice" writers can be
entertaining enough to attract a broad audience.
Bloggers with an especially engaging subject, such as chronicling a trip around the world, have the
advantage of inherently interesting material, but even mundane material can attract an audience if
you have an engaging style and voice.

6. A blog is a conversation. Try to write the way you speak. Avoid jargon and clichés and don't
overuse the thesaurus. It may be helpful to speak your entry out loud before trying to type it or to
read it aloud after you've written it. If you find yourself struggling as you read aloud or speaking
unnaturally, think about what you might have said if you were talking to a friend rather than writing.

7. Always consider your audience. If you're writing for only close friends and family, you don't
need to explain that Sarah is your 8-year-old daughter every time you mention her. But if your blog
attracts a wider audience, you may want to create references or glossaries to help new readers
follow along.
 ENGLISH B

TEXT TYPE: SPEECH OR TALK

Context

People give speeches and talks in all sorts of settings and situations: school, clubs and the workplace to name
just a few.

Audience

Audiences are as varied as the settings and situations. It is really important for a speaker to write his or her
speech in a way that is interesting and connects with the specific audience.

Purpose

Again purposes vary with the context and audience. General categories of speech include communication of
information, persuasion, entertainment, celebration, instruction and a mix of these purposes.

Format

All talks or speeches will have an introduction, body and conclusion. But above all, it must be clear to an
examiner reading the speech or talk you have written for Paper 2 that you are speaking to an audience.

Text features include:

structure

• addressing or welcoming the audience at the start and then

• using a rhetorical technique to engage the audience's attention followed by
• the introduction of the speaker's purpose
• development of specific points in the body of the talk or speech
• transitions between paragraphs
• a memorable conclusion that also repeats and reinforces the speaker's purpose

rhetoric
• use of personal pronouns to connect with the audience – “you, we, our”
• use of a variety of structures that maintain audience interest such as:

rhetorical questions – “Do you think ---?

repetition We must --- we must also – and we certainly must ----
addition “Not only --- but also ---.” “Furthermore ---”
contrast – “However ---” “On the other hand--”
parallel structures – We will meet them --- we will talk to them --- we will learn from them.”
metaphor –“ There might be a mountain to climb but we have the skill and the energy to succeed
and pass IB.”
Examples of Great Speeches
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html

Application – Analyze audience, purpose and content before you write your talk.

Write the text of a short 300 word talk you are going to give at a student assembly about the dangers of
accepting a car ride from a friend who has been drinking at a party. Your talk has a serious message, but you
must engage the audience's attention and not put them off by preaching to them. Before you write your talk,
quickly research some statistics on drink driving accidents among teens in an Anglophone country. Use these
statistics to support your argument. Your talk text will be peer checked and you may be asked to present your
talk to the class next week.
 ENGLISH B

WRITTEN PRODUCTIVE SKILLS

TEXT TYPE: DEBATE SPEECH

A debate is an organized clash of good ideas. Each side employs worthwhile evidence to promote
their viewpoint and to rebut the "flawed" evidence advanced by the other side. Debating is a formal
intellectual contest and there are endless ways it can be played. However, a good debate is like a
tennis match where each side, following the rules set down, bats ideas back and forth to defeat the
other team. As in any other subjective sport, debaters have to persuade the judges that they have
won.

FORMAT

• start by addressing/including your audience 'We will prove to you and our confused
opponents --”
• then make clear your position in an attention gaining way ' we will strongly argue that ---”
• use rhetorical language: repetition, parallel structures, questions, colourful metaphors,
humour see
• argument is organized with strong supporting evidence (see notes below)
• opposition argument is rebutted “ our opponents have falsely claimed, but ----”

Why Debate?

• To develop argumentation skills that can be used in speaking and writing

• To develop an ability to express and defend ideas
• To develop fluency in spoken English

Basic Terms:

Debate
A contest in which two opposing teams make speeches to support their arguments and disagree with
the arguments of the other team
Resolution
The statement that the teams argue about because there can be valid arguments on both sides
Affirmative team
The team that agrees with the resolution
Negative team
The team that disagrees with the resolution
Rebuttal
Statements made to show arguments made by the opposition are not true

Opinions and Reasons

Use opinion indicators e.g
I think/believe ----- I strongly suggest ------ I have no doubt that ----- e.t.c.
Use reason indictors e.g.
because/since/so/consequently/as a result ---- e.t.c
Strong Reasons v Weak Reasons
According to LeBeau, Harrington and Lubetsky (2000) , a strong reason has the following qualities:
• it logically supports the opinion
• it is specific and states the idea clearly
• it is convincing to the majority of listeners

Supporting Reasons
There are 4 common ways to support reasons. Evidence provided by:
• personal experiences and anecdotes e.g. For example/Let me give an example/For instance--
• common sense e.g. We all know that ---- We all agree that --- e.t.c.
• expert opinion e.g. According to/To quote X/ X states in ----- e.t.c.
• statistics e.g There are X number of ---

Useful Language Patterns for Debates

Comparison X is __________ than Y

X is more __________ than Y
Cause and effect X causes Y therefore -----
If you do X, then Y will happen

Preparing Your Arguments

1. Analyze the resolution- What does it mean? Do you understand the key vocabulary?
2. Use a T diagram to list both the arguments for and against the resolution . You need to
prepare to rebut your opponents ideas.
3. Research the arguments you are going to use , looking for evidence
4. Decide which arguments each team member will present
5. Each team member prepares their debate speeches ( 2 minutes) Remember to have an
introduction that “grabs” your audience's attention, develop strong arguments in the body of
your speech and end with a thought provoking conclusion.
6. As a team write some rebuttal statements based on the kinds of arguments that you think
your opponents will use. E.g. They say ---- The other team said ----”. “We disagree because
---- “ e.t.c
Delivery
Consider how to make your presentation clear and easily understood:
• accurate pronunciation and effective intonation
• voice projection so you can be heard
• a suitable speed of delivery – slow your speaking for a larger audience
• pause to let your audience think about an argument or take in a joke or example
• use eye contact so your audience thinks you are talking to each one of them
Consider how to make your speech interesting:
• eye contact/rhetorical questions (Do you think that ---- ?)/varied
tone/gesture/humour/original ideas
 English B

Text Type: Feature Article

“Feature articles are not just dry facts, they provide information from unique angles.”

TEXT TYPE: FEATURE ARTICLE

Subject Matter
1. Analysis and opinion on current issues
2. Profiles of, or interviews with well known-people
3. Humorous reflections
4. Personal experience or anecdotes
5. Background information on local, national or international events
6. Human interest stories
Structure
Like any form of writing, a feature article follows a standard structure. While it may
vary depending on your topic, a feature article should always include a headline,
introduction, the main body and a concluding paragraph.

Title and Heading

The headline performs two important functions. An effective headline:
• Grabs the reader's attention and persuades them to read the article
• Highlights the main idea or angle of the article.

Introduction
The first paragraph outlines the subject or theme of the article, it may also:
• Provoke the reader's interest by making an unusual statement.
• Provide any necessary background information.
• Invite the reader to take sides by making a controversial statement.
• Heighten the drama of an event or incident to intensify its appeal.
• Establish the writer's tone.

• Create a relationship between the writer and the reader.

Body of the Article

The middle section consists of a number of paragraphs that expand the main topic of the
article into subtopics. The usual components are:
• Subheadings.
• Facts and statistics which support the writer's opinion.
• Personal viewpoints.
• Opinions from authorities and experts.
• Quotes and interviews.
• Anecdotes and stories.
 • Specific names, places and dates.
• Photographs, tables, diagrams and graphs.

Conclusion
• The concluding paragraph should leave a lasting impression by:
• Reminding the reader of the article's main idea
• Suggesting an appropriate course of action.
• Encouraging a change of attitude or opinion.

Language of Feature Articles

• A personal tone is created through the use of semi-formal and first person narrative.
• Relevant jargon adds authenticity to the information and opinions.
• Anecdotes help to maintain reader interest.
• Facts validate the writer's viewpoints.
• Rhetorical questions help to involve the reader.
• Emotive words are used to evoke a personal response in the reader.
• Effective use of imagery and description engage the reader's imagination.

• The use of direct quotes personalizes the topic.

EXAMPLES: Read the attached “Young, black and unemployed: the tragedy
of the 44%”
First, scan the article for unknown words, highlight them, and use your dictionary to
check meanings.

1. Identify and describe the angle presented in the article.

2. Re-read the purpose of headlines in the notes above. Critically comment on the
effectiveness of the headline .

3. Create an alternative eye catching headlines for the article. Make sure that the headline
is relevant.

4. Look at the list of different kinds of subject matter above. What category is this article
in?

5. Look at the discussion of the purposes of an introduction in the notes above. What do
you feel is the writer's main purpose in this article.

6. What kind of components does the writer include in the body of her article to expand
on her main topic? Refer to the notes above before answering.

7. What technique does the writer use to conclude? Comment on the meaning of the last
sentence.

8. Look at the list of language techniques used by feature article writers. List three
language techniques used by the writer and quote brief examples.
 ENGLISH B

TEXT TYPE : NEWS REPORT

CONTEXT

Purpose

To report/recount yesterday's news

Audience

General public or the specific demographic targeted by the newspaper

Language

Formal and largely factual

FORMAT

• headline
• byline
• intro: when, what, where, who , how and why
• chronological details or reverse pyramid (least important information last)
• short paragraphs
• predominance of past time
• reported speech

Suggested Task

Locate, download and glue a short news article based on a “human interest story” onto lined A4
paper. Annotate the features of news reporting used by the journalist and sub-editor with colored
pens. Use a key to explain your annotations.
 ENGLISH B

TEXT TYPE: FLYER/LEAFLET/PAMPHLET

Example Context

A healthy lifestyle campaign, aimed at 15-18 year olds, is being conducted by the Ministry of
Health in an Anglophone country.

Purpose

To persuade and or inform the intended audience about how to live a healthy lifestyle

Audience

The specific demographic targeted by the client: teenagers 15-18

Format

1. Persuasive language, using a combination of written and visual persuasive techniques:

1.1 written

• value laden adjectives and verbs

• personal pronouns
• imperative statements
• rhetorical questions
• repetition
• bullet points
• keep it simple

1.2 visual

• snappy headline and bold headings

• graphic devices such as the use of colour, borders, boxes, use of space and layout

1.3 Register semi-formal with touches of idiomatic language

 ENGLISH B

Text Type: Review

Purpose

To offer a writer's personal opinion of the qualities of the book, film or other type of text being
reviewed. These views will be supported by reference to details in the book or film that support the
reviewer's comments. A reviewer's overall opinion can be positive or negative.

Audience:

Readers of newspapers, magazines or online blog or review sites such as “The Guardian” books
and review pages or “Metacritic.”

Purpose

To inform and communicate an opinion.

Format

• style often colourful and entertaining with interesting vocabulary, especially rich adjectives
and adverbs
• may use first person “I” to personalize the review
• the introductory paragraph aims to grab the reader's attention, provides background about
the author and gives the writer's overall opinion
• first body paragraphs gives some information about the story/book to provide a context for
an evaluation of the writer's success – never tell the whole story or give too much away
• body paragraphs each discuss a few carefully selected aspects of the book or film such as
plot, characterization, acting, effects, themes, quality of language and other literary devices.
• There should be a balance between providing readers with background about the book and
evaluating it's success. Evaluation is the most important feature of a review
• The concluding paragraph contains a clear recommendation to readers of the review about
whether the book is worth reading

Examples of book reviews:

You should look at some examples of book reviews, especially if you have never written one
before. Preferably read a review of a book you have read recently as this will help you judge the
reviewer' success in writing an interesting and convincing review.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/books+tone/reviews

Examples of film reviews: (also reviews games and music)

http://www.metacritic.com/

Extension

The Purdue Online Writing Lab has a more detailed discussion of book reviews, including getting
the balance right between providing background information about the story and offering an
opinion of the success of the book. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/704/01/