Different types of text

Lesson Objectives:

1) Identify the main purpose of at least 3 or more different types of texts

2) Identify at least 3 or more features of different types of text

What are text purpose and text features?

The purpose of a text means what it was written for, or why the writer wants you to read it.

The features of text are the specific things found in a text

Advert Advert 2

Main purposes of text: To persuade To inform To instruct To entertain To describe To explain To advise

Can you guess the purpose of these texts?

Entertainment

Text features - Entertainment:

Use of imagery (pictures) Bright colours Using certain fonts (writing styles) Exclamation marks (!) Humour

Descriptive

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Text features – Descriptive text:

Adjectives Adverbs Imagery Similes ‘as hot as a sauna’

Informative

Text features – Informative:

Facts Statistics/figures Headings/subheadings Bold text Lists Bullet points

INSTRUCTIVE

Chocolate Cake recipe:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease and line two 20cm/8in sandwich tins.

2. For the cake, place all of the cake ingredients, except the boiling water, into a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon, or electric whisk, beat the mixture until smooth and well combined.

3. Add the boiling water to the mixture, a little at a time, until smooth. (The cake mixture will now be very liquid.)

4. Divide the cake batter between the sandwich tins and bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

5. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool completely, still in their tins, before icing.

6. For the chocolate icing, heat the chocolate and cream in a saucepan over a low heat until the chocolate melts. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk the mixture until smooth, glossy and thickened. Set aside to cool for 1-2 hours, or until thick enough to spread over the cake.

7. To assemble the cake, run a round-bladed knife around the inside of the cake tins to loosen the cakes. Carefully remove the cakes from the tins.

Text features – Instructive: Imperative verbs e.g. mix, add, pour Language is direct and unnecessary words

are left out Use commands such as “must” and

“must not” Diagrams and pictures to help

understand text Figures/numbers

PERSUASIVE

Text features – Persuasive: Repeated words Use of capital letters e.g. BUY NOW Use of exclamation marks e.g. BUY NOW! Use of rhetorical questions e.g.

questions that do not require an answer Humour Imagery Emotional, one-sided argument

EXPLANATORYHow your lungs work

You breathe in and out anywhere from 15 to 25 times per minute without even thinking about it. When you exercise, your breathing rate goes up -- again, without you thinking about it. You breathe so regularly that it is easy to take your lungs for granted. You can't even stop yourself from breathing if you try! Your lungs are complex organs, but what they do is take a gas that your body needs to get rid of (carbon dioxide) and exchange it for a gas that your body can use (oxygen).

Text features - Explanatory: Written in the present tense, in formal language Text arranged into numbered points Sub-headings to separate sections of text Time connectives, such as: first, then, next, later,

finally. Technical vocabulary (sometimes in bold), for example:

if the text is about how a car is made, it may include words such as 'ignition', 'engine' and 'bonnet'

Glossary to explain technical vocabulary Diagrams with labels and pictures Much more detail provided based on the ‘how’

AdvisoryDear Susan,

Sorry to hear that as a result of unfair treatment you've had difficulty finding work. As for how to answer that question, "I was blamed for an error someone else committed" seems to cover it. It's important that you find yourself some employment as quickly as possible. You're well aware of that, but it would be particularly helpful if you found yourself something, perhaps voluntary or perhaps short-term, so you'd have updated references and some constructive way of occupying your time and proving that you want to work and have skills to offer. Helping out on a community project, a charity or hospice, would stand you in good stead even if it were part-time.

Text features - Advisory: Modal verbs – can/could, have/ought

to, will/would, must/should, may/might Authoritative and friendly tone -

depending on target audience Clearly expressed Encouraging and motivating Can use imperatives ‘don’t’, ‘ask’ Can be formal or informal

Sorting match task:

Look at the different types of texts in your pack

Discuss what the main purpose and key features of each type of text is

Record your answers in the table

Answer reveal:

PERSUADE: 8, 2 & 4

ENTERTAIN: 3, 1 & 9

INSTRUCT: 5, 6 & 10

DESCRIPTIVE: 11, 13 & 7

EXPLANATORY: 12