7/30/2019 Text Types - Review

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TEXT TYPES

AN ARTICLE is usually written for an English-language magazine or newsletter, and the reader is assumed to have

similar interests to the writer. The main purpose is to interest and engage the reader, so there should be some

opinion or comment.

AN EMAIL is written in response to the situation outlined in the input information. Candidates can expect to write to,

for example, a college principal, an English-speaking friend or a colleague.

AN ESSAY is usually written for a teacher and may be written as a follow-up to a class activity. It should be well-

organised, with an introduction, clear development and an appropriate conclusion. The main purpose of the task is

the development of an argument and/or discussion of issues surrounding a certain topic.

A LETTER is written in response to the situation outlined in the question. Letters in the FCE Writing paper will require

a response which is consistently appropriate in register and tone for the specified target reader. Candidates can

expect to be asked to write letters to, for example, an English-speaking friend or colleague, a potential employer, a

college principal, or a magazine editor.

A REPORT is usually written for a superior

(e.g. a teacher) or a peer group (e.g.

members of an English club). Candidates are

expected to give some factual information

and make suggestions or recommendations.

A report should be clearly organised and

may include headings.

A REVIEW is usually written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website.

The main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced

(e.g. a film, a holiday, a product, a website etc.) and to give the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed

is like. Description and explanation are key functions for this task, and a review will normally include a

recommendation to the reader.

A STORY is usually written for an English-language magazine or anthology, or a website. The main purpose is to

engage the interest of the reader. Effective answers have a clear storyline which links coherently to the prompt

sentence and demonstrates a sound grasp of narrative tenses.

Match the columns:

(1) Article

(2) Essay

(3) Letter

(4) Report

(5) Review

(6) Story

( ) It is divided into headings, and should include recommendations.

( ) It is a narrative and intends to engage the reader.

( ) It expresses praise or criticism about a book, film, restaurant, etc.

( ) It is usually written for a teacher, and provides arguments to support a thesis statement.

( ) It is written with a specific purpose, for example, make a complaint.

( ) It usually starts with questions, to engage the reader.