TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON Writing genres — what to consider when writing in a specific genre ‘Summary of genres at each level In tasks 3 and 4 of the Reading & Writing exam, candidates need to write a response to a prompt. The prompt will specify what genre (text type), is expected for the response. The table below shows the genres that are tested at each level. » Descriptive essay » Descriptive essay » Descriptive essay » Descriptive essay D Article (magazine or D Discursive essay ? Discursive essay » Discursive essay online) Article (magazine or | B Argumentative essay | P Argumentative essay » Informal or neutral online) D Article (magazine or | Article (magazine or email or letter D Informal email or letter | online) cniine) » Review Formal email or letter | D Informal email or letter | Informal email or letter D Review Formal email or letter | P Formal emaillor letter D Review » Review » Report » Report Essays ‘The target reader for an essay is usually a teacher or tutor. A good essay requires clear paragraphing and should use linking devices (eg but, however, in spite of, nevertheless). The type of language used depends on the purpose and context. Essays are usually either neutral or formal in register. Genre Target reader ——-Organisation/format ‘Type of language Descriptive essay Ateacher or tutor Essays should have atitle. Ideas should Candidate should use a wide be arranged in a logical manner. range of descriptive language. There should be a good use of adjectives and adverbs that make the description interesting to read. Discursive essay Ateacher or tutor Essays should include a ttle, introduction, Candidate should use body and conclusion. Equal attention language of justification and should be given to positive and negative agreeing and disagreeing. points. The essay should be clearly ‘organised into paragraphs. Essays must include a conclusion in which the candidate expresses his or her own views on the topic. ‘Argument essay Ateacher or tutor | Again essays should include a ttle, Candidate should use language introduction, body and conclusion. Ideas of justification and agreeing ‘and supporting arguments shouldbe _and disagreeing. clearly organised into paragraphs. Note: Essays at ISE Foundation are more likely to be descriptive essays and examiners would not expect the same level of development of ideas or use of discourse markers compared to higher levels.TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON Letters The target reader for a letter can vary greatly but will always be specified in the question (eg a friend, an organisation, a newspaper). A good letter should have an appropriate opening and closing phrase and clear paragraphing. The first paragraph should ou! tone depends entirely on target reader and context. Genre Target reader Organisation/format ie the purpose for writing. The register and Type of language Formalletter The reader is likely to be either someone in a higher position of authority to the writer or someone who the writer does not know. The reader is likely to bea friend or apeer. Informal letter The following opening and closing format should be used: Dear Mr Brown/Mrs Smith/Ms Carter (when name is known), Yours sincerely, or, Dear Sir/Madam (when name is not known), Yours faithfully, Ina formal letter a final sentence such as: | ook forward to hearing from you. is often used to conclude the letter. The opening and closing structures should reflect the register, for example: Dear Tom, Hi Tom, Bye, See you soon, Formal register is used. This, Includes using appropriate ‘grammar (eg no contractions such as ‘'m’ or ‘doesn't?) and vocabulary (eg ‘dissatisfied with’ and not ‘fed up with’ Register and tone must be consistent. Informal register is used. This ‘means colloquial language and contractions can be used and formal language is inappropriate. Register and tone must be consistent. Neutral etter The reader is tkely tobe someone the writer knows but where very informal language would be inappropriate (eg a teacher or tutor). The opening and closing structures should reflect the register, for example: Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms, Dear Tom, Thank you, Bye, Aneutral register is used. Contractions can be used but colloguialisms and very informal or very formal language would ‘be inappropriate. Note: Letters at ISE Foundation are likely to be informal or neutral and, due to the length of output (70-100 words), will consist of fewer paragraphs.TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON Emails The target reader for an email can vary greatly but will always be specified in the question (eg a friend, an organisation, a newspaper). A good email should have an appropriate opening and closing phrase and clear paragraphing. The first paragraph should outline the purpose for writing. The register and tone depends entirely on the target reader and context. Genre Target reader Organisation/format ‘Type of language Formal email The reader is kely The following opening and closing format Formal register is used. tobeeither someone should be used: This includes using in ahigher position Dear Mr Brown/Mrs Smith/Ms Carter, appropriate grammar (eg of authority to the ro contractions suchas writer or someone Deal Kate, G: is tive celvecoly tie accepted or doesn’t), vocabulary (eq practice nerish companies se only the motte wre does | Fetname ofeatesqs wntesit using | GEER Wh anno fet formal register for the email) Register and tone must be consistent. Kind regards, Best regards, Dear Sir/Madam, is not often used in an. email as writers generally know the person to whom they are writing, ‘As in a formal letter, a final sentence such as: ook forward to hearing from you, is often used to conclude the email. Informal email The reader is likely to | The opening and closing structures should Informal register is used. be afriend ora peer. _ reflect the register, for example: This means colloquial Dear Tom, Hi Tom, language and contractions ‘can be used and formal language is inappropriate. Note that abbreviations such as those used in texting are ‘not appropriate, eg ‘Thanx’ or'RU going?” Register and tone must be consistent. Bye, See you soon, Neutral email The readeris ikely |The opening and closing structures should Aneutral register is used. tobe someone the reflect the register, for example: Cntractions can be used writer knows but | pear Mr/Mrs/Ms, Dear Tom, but colloquiatsms and where very informal very informal or very language would be formal language would inappropriate (ega | Thank you, Bye, be inappropriate. teacher or tutor) Note: Emails at ISE Foundation are likely to be informal and, due to the length of output (70-100 words), will consist of fewer paragraphs.TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON Articles, reviews and reports Target reader Organisation/format ‘Type of language A reader of ‘newspaper, magazine or website, Articles must have a title or headline. They may have a subtitie/subheading or start with a rhetorical question. ticles should be clearly organised into paragraphs, including an introduction, main body and conclusion. Articles should include the writer's opinion and often have 2 persuasive element ‘The conclusion should sum up the main point of view that the writer wants to express. Articles should always be ‘engaging and the opening lines should catch the reader's interest. Articles often contain language of description with examples and anecdotes. As articles should engage the reader, language should be varied ‘and colourful. ‘The register depends on the topic and target reader {and so can be informal or formal. Whatever register the candidate chooses to adopt must be used consistently throughout the article. Usually the reader of a magazine or website. Often similar to articles with a headiinefttle. Reviews should be clearly organised into paragraphs. ‘There should be a description of the event, book, film, etc and the writer's personal ‘opinion should be clear. There should also be a recommendation to the reader. Descriptive language is essential and a variety of adjectives and adverbs should bbe used, Language to express opinion, with justification should also be used, Reviews are generally neutral or informal. An overly formal register would generally be inappropriate. Usually someone ina higher position ‘of authority such asa teacher, ‘employer or college principal. Reports should have a ttle explaining their purpose. They should be clearly organised into paragraphs and may include headings. Recommendations or suggestions are often made in the final paragraph, ‘Language should be formal and impersonal as information presented is based on facts and. ‘not opinion. Any suggestions or recommendations should be based on factual information. Note: At ISE Foundation, introductions and conclusions are likely to be a single sentence rather than a complex paragraph, which is acceptable at this level. At ISE Foundation and ISE |, reviews will be less developed and are likely to be a simple description, with some opinion and a simple recommendation, eg ‘! think everyone should read this book.”