'Types of text' tutor notes
The different types of text that are focused on in this module are:
- Instructive text
- Informative text
- Descriptive text
- Persuasive text
The aim of the 'types of text' topic area is for learners to revise and practise reading and recognising different types of text. This module looks at the purposes of texts, along with specific qualities associated with instructive, informative, descriptive and persuasive writing which can help learners to read, understand and identify different text types.
Other areas on the site that tie in with this module are the following:
Instructions Module - If you want to work on writing and following instructions.
Adjectives Module - If you want to work on descriptive words for places, people and things.
How does this tie in with the curriculums?
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England
Rt/L1.2 - 'Recognise how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes'(e.g. to instruct, explain, describe, persuade)
Wt/L1.4 - 'Use language suitable for purpose and audience'
NB:Skillswise resources are designed for students at level 1.
The material in the types of text module only covers 4 main types of text as it was felt that this was a good basis for textual understanding at level 1. Other text types and varieties of texts can be incorporated at a higher level once general understanding has been established.
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Wales
As England.
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Northern Ireland
As England.
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Scotland
See www.aloscotland.com for details of the Scottish curriculum.
In this Skillswise module you'll find...
'Types of text' game
This is a quiz based game in 2 different stages and offers a choice of instructive, descriptive, informative, or persuasive texts to work with. In the first stage of the game a specific text type must be selected from 3 different text samples. Once the correct text has been found, the next stage involves answering 6 questions about this text. The first 3 multi-choice questions deal with the purpose of the text and who it is written for, while the following 3 questions ask students to pick out specific words, phrases or qualities within the text using a highlighter function.
This game can be played several times with a different text appearing each time so this should give learners lots of examples to try.
Let us know what you think of this new game.
'Types of text' quiz
The learner can choose the quiz level that they would like to try. Level A is the easiest and level C the hardest. All 3 levels deal with identifying different types of text (informative, instructive, descriptive and persuasive) and testing the learner's knowledge and understanding of the qualities and purpose of each different text type.
There is a system in place that allows students to print out a certificate if they score 50% or over in the quiz. This appears as a link on the results page - click on the link and the certificate will appear in a new window. Eventually learners' quiz results will be able to be tracked with a scorecard and a student's name should appear automatically, but for the moment a student can write their name in once the certificate is printed.
'Types of text' factsheets
There are 5 factsheets available. The first factsheet covers general facts about what text is and what the purpose of a text might be. Each of the other factsheets deals in more detail with identifying qualities usually associated with a specific text type (instructive, informative, descriptive or persuasive) and gives examples to help students understand the differences.
'Types of text' worksheets
The 'types of text' worksheets encourage learners to have a go at writing their own persuasive, instructive, informative and descriptive texts. There are brief descriptions and an example of each text type, as well as an accompanying question guide to help students write their own examples.
If you have any great worksheets ideas that practise working with different types of text, let us know. We are always interested in finding good worksheets to publish on the site.
Technical help:
To get the most out of this topic area you need the following 'plug-ins':
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Flash
The game in this topic section uses Flash. This is free to download and should only take a few minutes. You can follow the BBC WebWise instructions to download it to your machine.
Find out more.
If you don't have Flash the same learning points are covered in the quiz and in the worksheets and factsheets.
If you are new to the web, why not try the BBC WebWise online course, Becoming WebWise? It's free, you can do it in your own time from any computer and it will take you through everything you need to know to use the web successfully in your teaching.
Get WebWise.
You can find out more about the technical requirements for Skillswise in our Help - Technical Information section.
Taking it further:
With Skillswise:
Don't forget to check out the Skillswise
Lesson plans and Teaching inspirations
areas for more ideas about scanning.
If
you have any worksheets or ideas about teaching scanning don't forget to share!
Just email us at skillswise.feedback@bbc.co.uk.
On the web:
Here's a few suggestions of other places on the web where you might find useful resources to adapt or use for teaching about different types of text.
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Reading purpose exercises
Multi-choice activities to test understanding about the purposes of different texts. This is a good exercise where questions are presented alongside the text so students can see both on screen at once. This is suitable for adults and 2 of the exercises are directly linked to the same curriculum point as the Skillswise 'types of text' module.
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Different purposes of writing
This is The Guardian's learning site. Some useful hints and tips on types and purposes of writing. There are a few extra text types looked at, such as writing to argue and writing to explain as well as informative, instructive, descriptive and persuasive. This is aimed at older school children but may give you some ideas and useful information.
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Text focus
A useful site broken down into adult basic skills curriculum points. Go to the text focus section, then scroll down the reading column until you get to level 1 resources. The site has various printable worksheets and lesson ideas that deal with text focus and reading.
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Kirklees ednet - Types of text
This pack of text samples is designed to help children learn the essence of each text type, but could easily be used with adults. Please note that these texts have been specially written so that they do conform to the same rules. They should be seen simply as a basis.
Please note that the BBC is not responsible for the content of other websites.
BBCi Text sources
Some of the text samples used in this module were selected from parts of other BBCi websites which you might find useful when looking for interesting text examples.
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BBC Science Hot Topics
- Lots of useful short informative texts on a wide range of interesting and popular science topics
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BBC - Parenting
Informative information on a wide range of parenting and health issues.
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BBC - Homes DIY Guide
A large resource of factsheets with DIY instructions on a variety of home projects.
Do you know of any other great online resources for helping to recognise and identify different types of text? Let us know if you do.
Descriptive text sample sources
Here is a list of sources used for the text samples used as descriptive text examples within this module.
- 'Fasting, Feasting' - by Anita Desai
- 'About a Boy' - by Nick Hornby
- 'Notes from a small island' - by Bill Bryson
- 'The Alchemist' - by Paulo Coelho
- 'Madolescents' - by Chrisse Glazebrook
- 'Dracula' - by Bram Stoker
- 'Virgin Mistress' - by Kay Thorpe
- 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4' - by Sue Townsend
- 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge' - by William Wordsworth
