Exploring text types
The written task 1 asks you to imitate a certain text type. You may want to write a brochure, a speech, a letter or a memoir. But how do you know what structural elements to include in these types of texts?
In order to become familiar with the conventions of different types of texts, you will want to explore several examples of the same type of text. For example, you may want to examine three speeches about different topics but all characteristic of speeches. You may want to look at five political cartoons and ask yourself: 'What do these texts have in common?' Essentially we are interested in defining the key structural characteristics of a text. 'What makes a brochure a brochure?' 'What makes a letter to the editor a letter to the editor?' These are the kinds of questions you want to ask yourself. Once you know what these defining characteristics are, you can comment on how a particular text adheres to or breaks with formal conventions.
Beyond this lesson, we recommend you see the pages on 'text types' in the resources section of the website, where individual text types are defined. You can use these to help you prepare for the written task 1.
The mystery text type
Below you see three texts. Although the texts are different in subject matter, they are similar in form. Try to define several structural characteristics that all three texts have in common by using a Venn diagram or a table. Ask yourself the following questions as you read:
- How is the narrative voice similar or different in each text?
- How do the authors have similar purposes, even though the texts are all about different topics?
- How do they use similar language?
- What do the authors 'do' in each paragraph? How do these paragraph evolve similarly or differently?
Mystery text 1
Curious to find out where these texts came from? Open the box below and reveal the links to the original texts. Once you know where these texts came from try answering the following questions:
- Were you surprised by the context in which these texts can be found? Why or why not?
- Even though the three pieces were about different topics, how did they follow a specific format or structure?
- Visit this page on Subject Site's text type section. Do these three texts have the defining features of the text types presented here?