Persuasive Text Types and Features

In order to be a ‘media-savvy’ consumer of information, you need to be able to:

• distinguish between fact and opinion.

• identify bias in texts.

• do all of these things.

• understand when and how writers try to shape your views.

Which of these is not a common type of persuasive text?

• text response essay

• blog post

• editorial

• political cartoon

Which of these persuasive text types does not usually include a point of view or opinion?

• news report

• opinion piece

• letter to the editor

• speech transcript

What is the difference between political cartoons and cartoons on the comics page?

• Political cartoons make a political point about a current issue, while comics may take no political stance.

• Political cartoons are not meant to be funny.

• Political cartoons all have the same style, whereas comics have different styles.

• All of these responses are correct.

Which of these elements would you expect to see in a feature article?

• writing by a member of the public

• detailed background information and quotes from interviews

• an expression of the views of the editor or a group of senior journalists

• informal language and/or colourful, emotional passages

Which of these is not usually a feature in a persuasive speech transcript?

• a call to action for the audience

• a personal viewpoint or contention

• detailed background information about the issue

• a clear introduction and greeting

Blog posts always use informal language. True or false?

• True

• False

Which of these is a feature of both opinion pieces and letters to the editor?

• uses formal and sophisticated language

• expresses an individual’s views or opinion

• adopts an authoritative tone

• is given a catchy heading by the letters page editor

When reading an editorial, you would usually expect to find:

• A knowledgeable and reasonable tone, the views of the editor, and a greeting

• Conservative language, the views of the editor, and a publication banner above the editorial

• A publication banner above the editorial, colourful and emotional language, and the views of the editor

• The views of the editor, conservative language, and quotes from interviews

Select which text type would best suit this opening sentence: ‘Friends, colleagues, political opponents and supporters, welcome to this momentous event for which we stand together to fight against inequality.’

• editorial

• speech transcript

• letter to the editor

• news report