IGCSE – 0500 - FIRST LANGUAGE
TEXT TYPES WITH CONVENTIONS
THE STARTING POINT!
WRITING NON-FICTION
INTRODUCTION TO WRITING NON-FICTION
• Texts that deal with facts, opinions and the real world are usually described as nonfiction.
• Different text types, or forms of non-fiction have particular conventions.
• Conventions can be defined as the normal standard practices of doing something
• They are the typical or expected features of a form and include structure, language and
tone. For example, a newspaper article usually has a headline, uses formal language and
takes a serious tone. A political speech usually addresses the audience directly, includes
persuasive language and often has a rousing tone.
WITH ALL WRITING TASKS IT IS IMPORTANT TO
CONSIDER:
1.
the conventions of the form
2.
your intended audience (reader)
3.
the purpose of your writing
• Your reader might be one particular person, as with an email or letter. Or it might be a
broader group of people, as with an article or speech.
• Having a clear purpose will allow you to select language best suited to your task. For
example, if your purpose is to entertain, your tone might be light-hearted. If your
purpose is to persuade, you might include rhetorical devices.
IN SUMMARY…
• Here is an acronym to remember before writing a non-fiction text
• What is the PAFT of your text?
• P – Purpose for writing
• A – Audience (primary, secondary and hidden audience)
• F – Form/Format (Kind/type/genre)
• T – Tone (how formal or informal text will be is dependent upon the character in the
text)
A LIST OF TEXT TYPES FOR READING PAPER 1
• Interview
• Speech
• Letter – Formal and Informal
• Journal
• Report – For the public and person specific
• Article
A LIST OF TEXT TYPES FOR WRITING PAPER 2
• Article
• Letter – Formal and Informal
• Speech
INTERVIEWS
• An interview is a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and
the other(s) provide(s) answers.
• The interviewer asks questions to which the interviewee responds, usually providing
information.
• Interviews usually take place face-to-face, in person, but the parties may instead be
separated geographically, as in video conferencing or telephone interviews.
Interviews almost always involve spoken conversation between two or more parties.
• Interviews can be unstructured, free-wheeling and open-ended conversations without
predetermined plan or prearranged questions.
• Nevertheless, interviews can also be highly structured conversations in which
specific questions occur in a specified order and this is the requirement for this
syllabus.
THE ART OF WRITING CONVERSATIONAL
SCRIPTS IN GENERAL
CONVERSATIONAL FLOW
• One of the most important, if not THE most important aspect of writing a
conversational script is getting everything to flow effortlessly.
• Think about real world interactions you have with people – conversations usually
flow naturally and don’t feel forced or scripted.
• One of the easiest ways to check whether your script flows is to actually say it out
loud.
THE ART OF WRITING CONVERSATIONAL SCRIPTS
IN GENERAL CONTINUED ….
GET RID OF GRAMMAR
• Focusing on perfect grammar when writing a conversation between two characters
will instantly break their natural flow.
• Although we’re all taught proper grammar in school, people don’t actually speak
using full sentences, let alone Shakespearean English.
THE ART OF WRITING CONVERSATIONAL SCRIPTS
IN GENERAL CONTINUED ….
CONTRACTIONS ARE KEY
• While you might write academic essays in school using full sentences and properly spelled out
words, in reality people use contractions. We want to get words out faster because we like speaking
quickly and getting our point across. Consider this sentence:
• Do not go there, it is dangerous. This sounds robotic and unnatural, particularly if the context
implies danger or urgency.
• Don’t go there, it’s dangerous. This sounds far more natural, and wouldn’t seem strange in context.
• Ideal for informal or semi-formal set ups.
THE ART OF WRITING CONVERSATIONAL SCRIPTS
IN GENERAL CONTINUED ….
SIMPLIFY THINGS
• Often, we’re inclined to show off our writing skills and intellect by using complicated
words.
• Consider the audience that you’re writing for, and make sure that they will
understand what you say.
• At the same time, you have to think about the context you’re writing about. If the
subject allows for specific jargon (technical language), then use it.
THE ART OF WRITING CONVERSATIONAL SCRIPTS
IN GENERAL CONTINUED ….
USE SLANG/COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE IN BEFITTING SITUATIONS
• Slang, colloquialism and jargon are all part of our everyday vocabulary.
• Mostly ideal in spoken conversations
• Can only be used in written form when addressing informal or slightly formal
situations
NOTABLE FEATURES SPECIFIC TO INTERVIEWS
The following features can appear in a written down interview in order to make it more
realistic and natural as in spontaneous (unscripted) conversation
• Verbal responses, for example - sure, absolutely, really, 1 know
• Back-channel noises for example - mm, oh. Back channeling can be defined as a sound or
gesture made to give continuity to a conversation by a person who is listening to another.
• Non-verbal facial expressions and body language, for example - smiling and hand gestures
to reinforce what is being said
NOTABLE FEATURES SPECIFIC TO INTERVIEWS
CONTINUED….
• Pauses - these are meaningful in any conversation, sometimes indicating unease and
tension as well as simply when someone is thinking about what to say
• Vocal expressions - (for example giggling, sighing, tutting, oohing and aahing) these are
always linked to the intentions of the speaker and within the context of the culture, these
will be mutually understood
TAKE NOTE
Tutting can be defined as an exclamation of mild reprimand, disapproval, or surprise
SPEECH
• Can be defined as the expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by
articulate sounds. (fluently or coherently)
• the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words
• something that is spoken : utterance
• a usually public discourse : address
• an individual manner or style of speaking
• the power of expressing or communicating thoughts by speaking
4 TYPES OF SPEECHES
• The four basic types of speeches are: to inform, to instruct, to entertain, and to persuade.
• These are not mutually exclusive of one another.
• You may have several purposes in mind when giving your presentation.
• For example, you may try to inform in an entertaining style.
• Another speaker might inform the audience and try to persuade them to act on the
information.
INFORMATIVE SPEECH
• This speech serves to provide interesting and useful information to your audience.
• Some examples of informative speeches:
o A teacher telling students about earthquakes
o A student talking about her research
o A travelogue about the Tower of London
o A computer programmer speaking about new software
DEMONSTRATIVE SPEECHES
• This has many similarities with an informative speech.
• A demonstrative speech also teaches you something.
• The main difference lies in including a demonstration of how to do the thing you’re teaching.
• Some examples of demonstrative speeches:
o How to start your own blog
o How to bake a cake
o How to write a speech
o How to… just about anything
PERSUASIVE SPEECH
• A persuasive speech works to convince people to change in some way: they think, the
way they do something, or to start doing something that they are not currently doing.
• Some examples of persuasive speeches:
o Become an organ donor
o Improve your health through better eating
o Television violence is negatively influencing our children
o Become a volunteer and change the world
ENTERTAINING SPEECH
• The after-dinner speech is a typical example of an entertaining speech.
• The speaker provides pleasure and enjoyment that make the audience laugh or identify
with anecdotal information.
• Some examples of entertaining speeches:
o Excuses for any occasion
o Explaining cricket to an American
o Things you wouldn’t know without the movies
STRUCTURE OF A SPEECH
• A speech often follows a three part structure:
1.
a highly engaging and motivational opening
2.
a well-structured argument with several main points that include objection handling
3.
a dynamic and memorable conclusion
STRUCTURE OF A SPEECH IN DETAIL
Creative opening: You can use something from TEAS
• a.
Tell a story or anecdote
• b.
Evidence/statistics
• c.
Ask a rhetorical question
• d.
Statement or quote
BODY
• a.
TOPIC SENTENCE per paragraph
• b.
EXPAND on each point in a separate paragraph
• c.
Use CONNECTORS or discourse markers to lead the audience, i.e. Consequently,
However, etc.
• d.
You need to give EVIDENCE to support each point you make.
CONCLUSION
• a.
Reiterate your main points
• b.
Don’t add new information
• c.
Leave the audience with food for thought
• d.
Use a TEAS option
LANGUAGE OF A SPEECH
• The language you use in a speech will vary depending on your audience. In a speech to a professional
audience, such as a business pitch or a talk to headteachers, formal language is most appropriate.
• The purpose of a speech is often to convince listeners of a particular point of view. Language is typically
persuasive.
• A speech should be written using a conversational style (meaning, you write it as if you are speaking
directly to a live audience)
• Here are some persuasive devices you could include to make your speech more dynamic and
memorable:
• NB Examples are all from a speech against school uniforms.
EXAMPLE
• Here’s a passage from a speech by Barack Obama about climate change.
• Notice how he shapes his language to match his audience and purpose:
JOURNAL
• Can be defined as:
1.
a newspaper or magazine that deals with a particular subject, matters of interest or
professional activity e.g "medical journals“ – synonymously referred to as academic
journals/periodical/publication on a daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly basis
2.
a daily record of news and events of a personal nature e.g "while abroad he had kept a
journal“ or a day to day account of events– synonymously referred to as a
diary/log/logbook/blog/vlog/chronicle/notebook/moblog/weblog
3.
a record of experiences, ideas, or reflections kept regularly for private use
4.
the act of journalling
MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DIARY AND A JOURNAL
• Although the terms diary and journal are often used interchangeably, the expectations
are different for exam purposes.
• A diary is often a purely personal and private record, written in a colloquial style or even
in notes, and often consisting of very short entries.
• A journal is likely to be a formal record of a journey or significant experience, intended
for a wider audience and possibly for publication.
• It is therefore written in full sentences and with some consideration of style.
PURPOSE OF A JOURNAL
• A journal is a record that can be used to detail everything from your feelings about a
particular situation in your social life to your thoughts on a current event in the political
world.
• Hence, journals serve a range of purposes.
• A journal is meant collect your ideas and observations on any number of things and put
the happenings of each day into writing.
• In this way, you are able to better remember what you did, what you thought, and what
was happening when you were younger.
WHY JOURNAL CONTINUED…
• a journal offers you a private place to go and do whatever you like.
• you can use the pen and paper to vent your frustrations
• you can write about things you want to do later in life.
• everything from your deepest feelings to your craziest ideas can be filed into a journal
• Journals offer incredible personal benefits as they are not written for an audience, but
rather for yourself. Ultimately, by keeping a journal, you get personal freedom and space.
(except in the case of an academic journal meant for publication)
TYPES OF JOURNALS
• A daily journal, which can be used to record memorable moments from your life.
• An expressive journal, which is designed to give you space to pour out your emotions and
feelings.
• A dream journal that can help you put all those vivid dreams onto paper.
• A travel journal that enables you to document all your wild excursions.
• A hobby journal to write about personal interests.
• A religious journal to write your thoughts as you read your religious manuals.
• And many more …
FORM AND STRUCTURE OF A JOURNAL
• Inclusion of Day/Date - You can write in a journal on a daily basis, or periodically. When
writing a journal entry, it is important to include the day and date each time. This will help
you keep a track of all your entries and organize them in the correct order.
• Use of Formal Register - A journal is similar to a diary because both are a written record
of personal thoughts. However, a diary entry is usually private and hence you can use
informal language when writing in a diary. A journal, on the other hand, may be read by
other people. Hence, it is better to use a formal register or formal language while writing
in a journal. A few exceptions allow for informal register
FORM AND STRUCTURE OF JOURNAL CONTINUED
• Recording an Activity/Event - A journal is used to maintain a record of an event or
activity that took place. For example, if your class goes on a 3-day field trip, you could
write a journal entry for each day.You could describe the activities you did on each day,
as well as your personal thoughts about the activities.
• Use of the First Person - Since a journal is a record f personal thoughts, make sure to use
the first person narrative. This means you should use the pronouns 'I,' 'me,' or 'mine' in
your sentences.
JOURNAL ENTRY EXAMPLE