1.1.
How to analyse non-fiction texts in English
Short description of the exercise
This is an exercise in how to read and analyse non-fiction texts in English, 1st year.
Instructions
- Read the text ’US Gun Culture’ by David Craik from The Big Issue (in the compendium), and write
200-300 words about each part described below:
- Part I: ‘Mind the GAP’ – What can you say about Genre, Audience, and Purpose of this text? Why?
(for further instructions, please read the explanation of GAP further below)
- Part II: ‘Make a LIST’ – How is Language, Information, Style, and Tone used in this text? How can
you see that?
(for further instructions, please read the explanation of LIST further below)
Assessment
- Suggestion 1:
The students have answered the questions to one of the parts before coming to class. In class, the
students are divided into smaller groups (e.g. 3-4 students in each) in which the present their findings to
each other. Afterwards, each group agree on a common solution and present their answers to the rest of
the class.
- Suggestion 2:
Answer the exercises in groups of 3-4 students in class. Use 20-30 minutes per part. Each group present
their findings to the rest of the class and the best answers from the presentations is collected and put
together into a ‘best practice’ version, which is distributed to everyone in class.
Commentary on expected academic output
- The idea behind this exercise is to introduce the specific vocab belonging to this type of text analysis, i.e.
non-fiction texts. ‘Mind the GAP’ focusses on: Genre, Audience, and Purpose. ‘Make a LIST’ focusses
on: Language, Information, Style, and Tone.
- It is also the idea to train the student in writing short academic texts in English, familiarizing him or her
with the terminology.
Subjects
- English
Authors
- MV and MN
Reading non-fiction texts – Part I
When you read non-fiction texts, you might find it useful to learn some techniques to help you remember what
to think about. This Revision Bite (Part I) will teach you how to 'Mind the GAP'. Confused? Then read on...
Part I - Mind the GAP:
GAP stands for:
•
Genre
•
Audience
•
Purpose
Genre
What is the text? How do you know?
Normally, this is easy to answer because you will be told where the text came from. Knowing where the
document came from - e.g. a newspaper, a magazine, a website, a book etc - will help you to think about the
intended audience.
Audience
Who is the text aimed at? How do you know?
A writer always has an audience in mind. Different styles of writing will be used for different audiences. You
would probably not speak to your head teacher in the same way as you speak to your friends.
Purpose
What does the text want you to do? How does the text make you do it?
All documents have a purpose - some entertain, some inform, some persuade and so on.
- Remember that when you analyze texts using these points, you always need to refer to the text you are reading
and give examples which underline your arguments 
oooOOOooo
Reading non-fiction texts – Part II
To continue the analysis of non-fictional texts and to answer the ‘GAP’ questions in detail, this Revision Bite
(part II) will focus on the next step, which is to 'Make a LIST'. Confused? Then read on...
Part II – Make a LIST:
LIST stands for:

Language

Information

Style

Tone
Language

Is the language persuasive, informative, descriptive, childish or adult?

Is the language emotive?

Does it make you feel angry or sad?

Does the writer address you directly?
Information
Is the information in the document factual, a series of the writer’s opinions, or a mixture of the two?
Style

Is the document long and wordy with few pictures?

Is it written in short paragraphs with lots of pictures?

Is it written in bullet points?

Is it interesting or eye-catching to look at?

Is it a leaflet?
Tone
This is linked to language. Imagine how you would read this document aloud. Do you need a serious, humorous,
sad or angry tone of voice?
(From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ )
- Again, remember that you always need to refer to the text you are analyzing and to give examples which
underline your arguments. Ask yourself: ‘How can I see this?’ 