Reading: Text Types

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Reading: Text Types Revision

Text Types


Reports, articles, adverts, posters – there are many different types of texts!

They are chosen by writers because they are particularly effective at conveying different types of information.

You will need to be able to recognise and identify these types, both in your exam and in real life, so let’s get started

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What are they?


 

Text types are the way the text is formatted by the author, and can include:

  • A letter
  • A report
  • A newspaper article
  • A webpage
  • A note
  • A poster
  • An advert

And many more!

Can you remember any examples of these that you have seen today?

 


 

 

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Which is Which?


Identifying text types is a very important skill.

 

Luckily, many types of text will have specific things that you can look out for, which will help you spot them!

 

Let’s take a look at a few of them now…

 


 

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Formal Texts


 

Are used in professional or academic settings.

Some text types often used in formal settings are:

  • A newspaper article
  • A theatre review
  • A webpage
  • A technical report
  • A business letter 

All of these text types are quite official, and tend to be written to a very large audience who need information on a certain topic. 

The aim of these texts would usually be to inform, instruct, advise or discuss, rather than to entertain, describe, persuade or mock.

 


 

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Informal Texts…


 

Are used in personal or casual settings.

For example:

  • A recipe
  • A note
  • A text message
  • A magazine

 

All of these types of texts are quite casual, and tend to be written to a smaller audience.

The aim of these texts would usually be to entertain, persuade, describe or mock rather than to inform, advise, instruct or discuss.

 


 

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Formal Examples: Emails and Letters


 

First up, we have two very similar text types…


 

Emails will always include:

  • Subject line
  • To
  • From

A subject line will inform the reader on what the email will be about which will help readers to prioritise responding to correspondence more easily.

They will also include who the email is written by, and who the email is written to.

These are the features to look out for in an email.

 


 

Letters will always include:

  • A Sender Address
  • A Recipient Address
  • A Greeting
  • A Sign-off

The writer will begin the letter with their own address which is written at the top right hand corner, whilst the recipient’s address will be just below this, on the left-hand side of the page.

They will then greet the reader using Dear…’ and the reader’s name.

They may also use: Dear Sir, Dear Madame or To whom it may concern if they are unsure of who the reader is.

If the writer knows the person the letter is being sent to, they will conclude it with ‘Yours Sincerely’ and their own name. If however they do not, or they are writing to a professional or high-ranking individual, it will conclude with ‘Yours Faithfully’, followed by their own name.

 


 

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Informal Examples: Adverts and Leaflets


Next, we have two more similar text types…

Adverts and Leaflets will usually include:

  • Colour
  • Different fonts
  • Images

The colours used in these text types will typically link to a company or brand’s identity, and will be instantly recognisable.

The different fonts used will draw the reader’s attention to different parts of the text, and create visual interest.

Images, which can include photographs or illustrations, are also used to create a more interesting text.

All of these features are meant to capture and keep the reader’s attention.

 


 

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Additional Resources

PFS

Exam Tips Cheat Sheet

FS Level 2

Reading: Text Types Worksheet and Example Questions

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Reading: Text Types L2

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Reading: Text Types L1

FS Level 1NewOfficial PFS

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