Recognize Common Types of Texts

What is the purpose of informative text?

• To persuade you to buy something.

• To describe how a scene might look in a novel.

• To provide clear facts about something.

• To tell you how to do something.

A cooking recipe is an example of which type of text?

• Descriptive

• Instructive

• Informative

• Persuasive

TRUE or FALSE

The following passage is an example of informative text:

New Sydmouth Public Library: What can I borrow or hire?

There is a large collection of books including paperbacks, non-fiction books, ‘talking books’, books in large print and books in languages apart from English. Up to 6 items can be borrowed for 3 weeks.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Identify the type of the following text:

"The boy was astonished by what he saw inside. Never could he have imagined that, there in the middle of the desert, there existed a tent like this one. The ground was covered with the most beautiful carpets he had ever walked upon, and from the top of the structure hung lamps of hand-wrought gold, each with a lighted candle."

• Descriptive

• Instructive

• Informative

• Persuasive

Which of the following are not normally used in descriptive texts?

• adjectives.

• adverbs.

• step by step action to be taken by the reader.

• comparisons to enable the reader to picture something.

Descriptive text often uses adjectives and comparisons to help the reader to picture things more clearly.

What does the following passage describe?

"Will caught sight of the pair of them in a mirror, and was shocked to see that they could easily pass for father and son; he had somehow imagined himself as Marcus’ elder brother, but the reflection threw age and youth into sharp relief – Will’s stubble and crow’s feet versus Marcus’s smooth cheeks and gleaming white teeth. And the hair... Will prided himself on having avoided even the tiniest of bald patches, but he still had less on top than Marcus, almost as if life had worn some of it away."

• That shop mirrors make people look older than they are.

• That Will had forgotten to shave that morning.

• The hair piece Marcus was wearing.

• Will realising that he was ageing when compared to Marcus.

What is the purpose of the following passage of text?

ACCIDENT:

Treatment aims

1. Control bleeding

2. Minimise shock for casualty

3. Prevent infection – for casualty and between yourself and the casualty

4. Arrange for casualty to go to the hospital if necessary

• To inform the reader that bleeding needs to be controlled.

• To describe the scene of an accident.

• To persuade the reader to attend a First Aid course.

• To instruct the reader on what to do if they come across an accident.

TRUE or FALSE

You should always consider the intended audience/reader when writing a document to be read by someone else.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Persuasive text encourages the reader to take certain action. What is the reader encouraged to do in this example of a letter from a clairvoyant?

"I would like to help guide you through this difficult time so that you can have the wonderful life that you deserve.

If you would like the advice you need to help you find the love and riches you have always looked for, write to me immediately. The sooner I can send out your 12-month reading and start you on your path to happiness and success the better."

• To write to the clairvoyant.

• To attend some clairvoyant sessions.

• To phone the clairvoyant.

• To fall in love.

TRUE or FALSE

The following passage contains descriptive text:

"Everyone was in a state of high excitement, all the women in light cotton saris worn specially for the occasion, now clambering over the side, screaming when the boat rocked and clutching each other in pleasurable panic."

• TRUE

• FALSE