Checkpoint English

Non-Fiction Text Type Features

Text Purpose Features Structure

1. Diary To reflect on an • Write various entries depending on when • Write the date in the corner or on the
event that has the event took place. first line.
happened. • Use informal language but avoid using • Open with "Dear Diary" or “Dear [your
slang words and abbreviations. diary name]”.
• Use Time connectives. • Introductory paragraph that highlights
• Sign off with your name/name of the the event.
character if based on the extract of • Main body- develops the ideas.
Section A. • Conclusion-

2. Formal Letters To communicate • - You do not really need addresses. • Always begin with a salutation i.e
formally. • Use formal language. Dear…
• Do not use contractions. • Introduction- make it clear why you are
• Keep the tone respectful and serious. writing
• Sign off with either Yours faithfully or • Body- make use of the bullet points
Your sincerely, followed by a signature given
and then your name. • Conclusion– write down your
• Yours faithfully if you do not expectations.
know their name •
• Your sincerely if you know their
name
*Letters to a newspaper must have ‘Dear Editor’
as the salutation.
3. Informal To communicate • Avoid using abbreviations and slang • No need for addresses
Letters informally. terms. • Salutation (Dear……)
• Keep the tone very friendly. • Introduction- begin by checking on
• them.
• Body- make use of the bullet points.
• Conclusion- state your expectations.
• Sign off in a chatty manner followed by
your name. eg. Cheers, best wishes,
 your lovely daughter, etc

4. Emails To communicate • As above( Formal/ Informal Letters) • Subject line, greeting, concise
electronically paragraphs, sign-off.
• As above( formal/informal letters).

5. Magazine Various purposes • Include expert comments. • Use a catchy title.

Article depending on the • Directly address the readers using • Byline.
question. pronouns (you). • Interesting introduction (hook).
• Make use of persuasive techniques like, • Body- make use of the bullet points
rhetorical questions, emotive language, • Conclusion.
personal anecdotes, repetition, the rule • Use subheadings for better organisation
of three... and presentation.

6. Report To present facts or • Formal tone, factual information. • Headings

findings clearly. • Objective language. • Introductory paragraph that sums up
• Lack of personal opinions. what the report is about.
• Use of the passive voice. • Main body- develops different aspects
of the report.
• Conclusion
• Recommendation.

7. Recount/ A way of retelling an • Use the first-person point of view • Catchy title.
Account important event or • Detailed description: This helps the • Introduction.
describing an reader to visualise the details of your • Main body.
experience, such as a recount. • Conclusion.
school trip or a funny • Use of the past tense
story. • Write in chronological order.
• Use descriptive language eg. "The fish
was shiny and slippery.
• Use time connectives.

8. Review A review is a • Your opinion of the product (positive and • Title of what you are reviewing.
judgment or negative). • Brief introduction to what you are
 discussion of the • Would you recommend or not? reviewing.
quality of something. • Features of the product/ characters in
the film or book.

9. News Report Reports about a • Narrate the events in a chronological • Begin with a catchy headline.
specific news event. order. • By line
• Do not include opinions, unless • First Paragraph: ▪ Who? ▪ When? ▪
mentioning an eyewitness’s quote. Where? ▪ What?
• Use time connectives (after, before, later • Main body – develops the ideas.
that day, at the same time). • End with a prediction of the future.

10. Essay To present an • It adopts the style of article writing. • Always begin with catchy title.
argument or point of • State your reasons and develop each of • Introduce your essay in an interesting
view and give them. manner.
examples or reasons • Introduce a counter argument. • Develop your ideas in the main body.
to support it • Conclude by restating your stand.

11. Blog To share ideas • Chatty, conversational tone. • Heading and/or subheadings.
online. • Less formal register.
• Direct address.
• Use of both first-person and second-
person pronouns.
• Personal opinions.
12. Information To inform, educate, • Numbered steps, imperative verbs, clear
Text or explain a topic. sequence.
13. Travel Writing To describe places • Descriptive language, personal opinions, • Can be structured like an article.
and experiences. sensory details.
14. Leaflet/ To persuade people
Brochure/ to buy or support
Advertisement something
To inform or
persuade readers
15. Biography • An autobiography is different to a
biography because it is written in the first
person, explaining important events in
their life.
• The subject may write about what has
influenced them and include details of
their feelings during different
experiences they have had.
• Autobiographies are primary historical
sources of information whereas
biographies are secondary sources.

16. Autobiograph An autobiography is a non-fiction literary format

y that is a self-written account of a person's life
• Write it in 1st person.
• Do not start your essay with a quote,
unless it is important for your story.
• After explaining the background, come
straight to the point and state your
reason.
• Make use of time connectives
• Finish with a clear, engaging, and
memorable conclusion.

17. Speech • It does not have a specific layout as it is

meant to be spoken rather than written,
so it is more of a script.
• Introduce yourself.
• Make an impressive opening statement
using either:
 Rhetorical question
 A surprising statement
 A famous quote
 A personal anecdote
• Make good use of persuasive techniques
• Make good use of inclusive language and
direct address.
Example Questions