Analysing Transactional

Texts
(Non-Fiction)
Y7 Guidance for internal school exam
What is a transactional text?
Transactional writing is writing to get things done, to inform or
persuade a particular audience to understand or do something.

Task 1: Discuss with a partner and list as many text forms as you can:
Letters;
Brochures;
Adverts;
Newspapers;
Leaflets;
Magazines.
Learning Objective:
To understand the form and style of transactional
writing
To be able to identify presentational and language
features of transactional texts
To be able to produce a piece of writing that fits the
success criteria for an effective transactional text
Presentational Features

Presentation refers to the way the text is constructed/ put together. It

helps to make the text more interesting to look at, and also helps to
sustain the reader’s interest.

Question: What type of presentational features might we expect to

see in different transactional texts?
Task 1
You have been given the WWF snow leopard text.
Work with a partner to find as many presentational
features as possible used in the text.
Task 2: Copy the following list into your book.
Presentational Features:
oHeadings (titles) and sub-headings
oPhotos
oPictures
oIllustrations
oFont size and style (bold, italic etc)
oColour
oLayout features (bullets, boxed text)
oStructure (short or long paragraphs)
oQuotations (things people said either in quotation marks or
highlighted in the text)
Task 2:
Exam style/ literacy style questions

Answer the questions on the sheet provided.

Self- assessment: mark your responses

Snow Leopard: Answers
1. conservation, climate change, sustainability. I mark for each
2. Protect, Lose I mark for each
3. dignity of bearing 1 mark
4. Edge I mark
5. extreme cold, extreme snow 1 mark each
6. habitat under threat, natural prey disappearing, fur highly prized by poachers 1 mark
each
7. natural environment 1 mark
8. Someone who hurts and kills animals 1 mark
9. Help WWF protect its habitat/ help WWF protect animals from poachers 1 mark
10. snow leopard toy, adoption pack, regular updates 1 mark each
11. Visit website adoptsnowleo.com; call 08452003078, complete the form 1 mark each
Language Features
We would expect to see a range of different writing techniques
used within a transactional text to ensure that the text fulfils its
purpose, and also to ensure that the reader keeps reading the
text.
Task 3: Copy the list into your books taking
care with presentation and accuracy.
 Tripling (rule of three)  Anecdotes
Superlatives/  Imagery (similes /
comparatives metaphors)
Humour Imperatives
Emotive language Personal pronouns
Facts/ opinions
Statistics
Rhetorical Questions
Anaphora
Exaggeration/
hyperbole
Exam Style Question: How does the charity leaflet
persuade the reader to support the WWF? [10]

How do I achieve maximum marks??

10 marks: minimum of 8 points
(P&Q/E) + D- emotive reaction/ content
Wide range of points
Exam Style Question: How does the charity leaflet
persuade the reader to support the WWF? [10]

P&Q/ E: Say what the text says/ how the animal is presented
D: How does this make the reader feel and why would this persuade them to
donate?
Example: The snow leopard is shown to be a beautiful creature in the picture on
the front cover, and described as “magnificent” which emphasises how special
they are.(P&Q/E) The reader may be surprised by the beauty of the animal, and
this may persuade them to donate to the charity to prevent creatures such as the
one in the image from becoming extinct. (D)
Lesson 2: Malu Pothi
Task 1:
You have been given a number of pieces that will form a
transactional text.
Explore how that text could/ should fit together.
What do we learn about structuring a text?
Once you are happy with your choices, glue them together
to form a complete text.
Task 2:
Label as many different presentational features as
possible on your re-constructed tiger text.
 Task 3: How does the WWF leaflet persuade
the reader to support its cause? (8)
Use (P+Q) &D sentences to form your response to the
question.
 Self- assessment: Mark your own
work
The appeal is made to seem urgent through the use of the imperative “Adopt”- could make the reader feel obliged to support the charity
The reader feels involved through the direct address “yourself” and the use of the imperative verb “Adopt”. If we feel involved, we are more likely to act.
The problem is presented as significant as it is described as “the biggest conservation challenges”. The superlative “biggest” emphasises that this is a crisis,
and the scale of the problem may make the reader act, as they feel the danger is imminent.
The tigers offered for adoption are “real wild animals” which may make the charity seem more authentic. Knowing the name of the tiger may be more
persuasive as the reader may feel a more immediate, real connection with the animal.
The reader is offered a “Welcome Pack” which may make them feel that they are getting plenty from the money they decide to donate and may persuade
them more readily to act.
The information about “Malu Pothi” helps the reader to feel involved in the animal’s life. This may be persuasive as the reader feels a more real
connection with the animal.
The use of statistics “last 123 tigers left in Nepal” emphasises the scale of the problem. The reader may be shocked or horrified at how few tigers are
actually left and act to donate because the issue feels more urgent.
The image of the tiger is affecting, because the tiger is looking directly at the reader which creates a connection between them and the reader. This emotive
reaction is more likely to make the reader donate because they feel sadness and empathy for the tigers under threat.
The picture shows a “beautiful” tiger. She is crouching, which makes her look more vulnerable. The way the tiger looks and her position may resonate
more with the reader because we want to protect the animal for others to appreciate their beauty.
The tiger is described as “shy and elusive” which may make the reader feel privileged to be part of their story. This may prompt the reader to donate to
ensure that the tiger survives.
The WWF is a recognised charity across the world. The reader may feel more inclined to support them as they are an authentic charity with well-
documented charitable acts, which may help the reader believe they can make a difference with their donation.
The reader is informed how the WWF acts in “monitoring the tigers” and “strengthening anti-poaching patrols”. The reader may feel reassured by these
actions and donate to ensure they continue.
The repetition of “as little as £2.50” or “just £2.50” is effective in persuading the reader that it does not take a huge amount to help the charity. This may
persuade the reader to donate as they realise they can afford to do so.
The leaflet ends by suggesting that “humans live in harmony with nature”. This emotive appeal may persuade the reader as they want to do the right thing
to ensure tigers survive.