TEXT TYPES
Audience: indicated by
Context: set out in the
where the article will
question.
be published
Article Purpose: to inform or
to report. Optional: To
(Newspaper, explore or study. Not
good for strong
Register: Semiformal –
formal register.
magazine) opinions or attitudes.
Conventions:
Tone: appropriate to
Headline/title,
the task. Suitable
Introduction, direct
serious.
address
Audience: people
Context: set out in the
interested in the
question.
subject or matter
Purpose: to interest,
Blog entertain, amuse, be
provocative
Register: Semiformal –
informal register.
Conventions: first
Tone: personal-chatty, person statement,
direct and narration, leading to an
unpretentious invitation to comment.
Catchy title.
Context: set out in the
Audience: defined by
question. The problem
how context and
to which the pamphlet
purpose are linked
will propose a solution
Brochure, Purpose: Publicity
leaflet, Two ways: inform and
promote.
Register: Semiformal –
formal register.
pamphlet
Conventions: engaging
title. Identify ideas with
Tone: simple and direct.
sub-headings, bullet
Honest address
points… info: contact
us…
Context: writer’s own
life, situation. Audience: Private only
the writer. Public: ex.
Diary – private.
Scientist journal
Journal – possibly public
Diary Purpose: to record
experiences of personal
(private) / significance. Diary
anecdotal, Journal
Register: Informal
register
journal intellectual
Conventions: first person
narration, closing
Tone: personal, frank
statement. Avoid self-
and open
evident explanatory
phrases. Include date
Context: describe a Audience: a specified
background situation friend / acquaintance.
Purpose: express and
E-mail explore personal attitudes
and experiences, perhaps
with advice to the reader
Register: Informal register
Conventions: address to a
Tone: Engaging tone and
specific person, opening
style, could use things like
salutation, closing
I’m good… can’t wait…
salutation.
Context: Background
situation which causes an
Audience: addressed to post
issue about which the writer
or administrative position
wishes to communicate a
significant idea
Formal Purpose: present an argument
or state a position. Complain
Register: Consistently formal
register.
letter or suggest.
Conventions: address to a
specific person, appropriate
Tone: Serious and respectful
opening salutation and closing
salutation. Recipient and date
Context: General area
to be discussed and Audience: capable of
how the essay has been understanding
set. Includes actual title sophisticated language
of the essay
Purpose: to analyze,
Essay explore, discuss a topic.
Pay attention to the
action verbs in the task
Register: Semiformal -
formal register
Conventions: Relevant
Tone: appropriate title, methodical
serious tone structure, introduction
and conclusion
Audience: The task
Context: who and why indicates where it will
will be interviewed. be published, and this
defines the audience
Purpose: to inform or
Interview report. Also, it well
performed, to explore
or probe.
Register: Semiformal -
formal register
Conventions: Relevant
Tone: express interest
title, style interesting
in the person
the reader. Introduction
interviewed. respect
and conclusion
Context: describes Audience: The task
and explains the very indicates where it will
context that makes it be published, and this
necessary. defines the audience
News Purpose: to inform
factually and
Register: Semiformal -
formal register
Report objectively.
Tone: generally Conventions:
impersonal tone. No Headline, neutral
personal opinion of objective style.
the writer. Structured layout.
Context: the question
Audience: defined by
will usually provide the
the publication context.
context
Opinion Purpose: discuss in a
provocative way and Register: Semiformal -
explore the issue in formal register
Column some depth
Conventions: Headline,
Tone: appropriate to
Introduction, direct
the task. Could be
address. Could use first
serious or amusing
person statements
Audience: The principal
Context: the question
audience is the editor,
will usually provide the
but also the general
context
reader.
Letter to the Purpose: Present
writer’s point of view, Register: Semiformal -
probably in contrast to formal register
editor other points of view
Conventions: Headline,
Tone: appropriately Introduction, direct
serious tone address. Could use first
person statements
Context: Discuss
personal responses to a Audience: educated
particular moral and informed
situation
Personal Purpose: display clear
thinking and effective
Register: Semiformal -
formal register
statement argument
Conventions: Headline,
Style that arouses
Tone: appropriately
interest in the reader.
serious tone
Introduction and
conclusion
Context: The task will
Audience: post or
explain the context.
administrative
What needs to be
position
covered and why
Purpose: introduce
Cover letter other enclosed or
attached materials
Register: formal
register
Conventions: address
Tone: serious and to a specific person,
respectful tone appropriate opening
and closing salutation
