DELTA Module 1 Features of Genres
Terms in this set (13)
Content: what kind of information is included that is typical of this genre?
Layout: How does the text look on the page? Headings/ addresses/ title/ bulletpoints/ images.
Lexis: What kind of words are used? Words/ fixed expressions common in this genre?
Organisation: Paragraphs/ sections/ headings? Types of cohesive device.
Grammar: Tenses that are typical? Sentence structure?
Lexis: May contain spelling/punctuation errors. Also, vague/colloquial/idiomatic/informal language.
Grammar: Complex structures like relative clauses may be replaced by brackets which serve as asides.
Stylistic features: Formulaic openings/closings "Lots of love" etc
Ellipsis common and sentences may be short.
Words written in capitals for effect, and may be lots of exclamation marks.
May contain discourse markers more common in spoken discouse "well" "by the way".
Abbreviations/ contractions/ numerals all common.
Content: news/ current affsirs/ celeb gossip
Layout: may have picture. In tabloids, picture may portray person in comical/ unflattering way/ Headlines which may contain elliptic articles.
Lexis: Neutral. Possible use of compounds (tabloids) "quick-thinking Alex"..
Organisation: Headline. First sentence is elaboration of HL. Background then sketched in. Events not chronological. Tabloids - short sentences, may be one sentence per paragraph. May end with a moral.
Grammar: HL often present simple. First sentence often present perfect. Background often past simple and past perfect. Often has very long noun phrases containing a lot of information. May have long complex/compound sentenes.
Book/ Film review
Content: Brief description of plot without giving ending. Comments/ evaluation of film/ writer/ plot etc. Introduction/ background to story. Positive/ negative recommendation.
Layout: Paragraphs, each with clear function. Possible picture from film/ of author/ jacket cover etc.
Lexis: Precise descriptive vocab eg. adverbs/ adjecives.
Organisation: Attention-grabbing opening (wity comment/ shocking statement/ interesting fact). 2-3 paragraphs giving information about plot/director etc. Final recommendation.
Grammar: Present tenses to describe plot.
Style: Neutral and impersonal. Although subjective, should not be presented as so.
Short story/ narrative
Content: Beginnning/ middle/ end.
Layout: Paragraphs, inverted commas for direct speech.
Lexis: Descriptive language, varied vocab and idioms, adjectives and adverbs.
Organisation: Beginning: background/ setting/ loaction/ participants/ feelings. Middle: events/ problems and solutions. End: outcome/ evaluation.
Grammar: Direct speech, narrative tenses.
Style: Informal/ neutral style.
Formal letter (for job)
Content: Reason for writing (reference to advert/ background info about self. why interested/ skills/ request for further info).
Layout: Address top right, address of reciever top left, opening salutation top left under address, date. Indent at beginning of letter if handwritten.
Lexis: Formal, no contractions, formulaic phrases "I am writing with reference to...." etc. Appropriate beginnings/ endings "Dear Sir....Yours faithfully" etc.
Grammar: Use of present and past tenses.
Content: Introduction stating topic and organisation. Facts divided by topic. Summary/ conclusion at end.
Layout: Headings divide content.
Lexis: Strong use of linkers.
Grammar: Mixed tenses.
Style: Neutral/ formal
Content: website/ contact details/ small print/ prizes (maybe!).
Layout: Different font sizes/ use of bold to highlight main points. PIcture of customer/ logo.
Lexis: Idiomatic language including phrasal verbs. Lexis may be informal/ specific to the product. May include initials and blends (eg. CallerID).
Organisation: Engage interest - give factual information - contact details - T&C. Begins with problems then offers solutions. Information may be sectioned.
Grammar: Possible use of 2nd person singular to make reader feel they are being spoken to directly. May be conditionals for advice or imperatives to persuade reader/ make suggestions.
Style: Informal, friendly. May use contractions/ ellipsis. Makes reader feel they are being spoken to.
Content: May be: Question-answer format pre-empting reader's concerns. Subdivided into sections relating to sub-topics. Dense information broken into chunks. Problem-solution. Contact info.
Layout: landscape/portrait? Pictures/logos/maps. 'Signposting' in bolding/shading. Possible columns for easy folding and display. Punctuation - capitals for headings/ key information.
Lexis: May be: multi-word noun phrases to give information succinctly.
Grammar: May be: Extensive use of present simple for things that are always true; agent-less passive for impersonal style; 2nd person singular to make text feel relevant to reader; modals for obligation/ possibility/ permission/ advice (information and warning); imperatives for instructions/ informing/ advice; 'if' and 'when' clauses for particular situations.
Style: (semi) formal/ impersonal/technical register and lexis; (semi) formal/ official/ factual grammar with no contractions. Emphasis on clarity.
Content is organized in columns
There is use of visuals, logos, icons, headings, capitals.
Banner advert across the page
header and footer with explanatory subheading of the website and the website address
Info is in sections. each related to a specific topic
Info is in short easily accessible chunks/paragraphs.
Simple non complex sentences/ simple conjunctions.
website related lexis eg. sign in, click on the link, forums etc
Use of imperatives to give instructions/address the reader.
Creative use of lexis to engage the reader
Informal/colloquial written style - use of ellipses, exclamation marks, contractions
links to access other parts of the website
positive testimonials / quotes from members
explains how the club works for new members
Persuasive by stating numbers to prove popularity, ease of signing up, benefits of the club.
Salutation- most websites greet the reader.
Human interest story
- headline followed by body of the text / columns / accompanying photograph / caption / use of different fonts/sizes / first word in capitals / use of dashes
- short / sentence length paragraphs
- first two sentences clarify headline and summarise text (i.e. paragraphs 1 and 2 explain 5 weddings and underlying reason). / Successive sentences add more detail / problem presented at the beginning with happy end at the end
- starts off with a home truth
- ends with an evaluation / a quote from a participant
- describes events in chronological order / this parallels anecdotal approach to a story
- one idea per paragraph
- direct speech / quotes to provide immediacy and comment
- reporting structures
- headline language (e.g. ellipsis - 5 for price of 1)
- use of appropriate range of tenses for presenting a human-interest story (e.g. present simple, past simple, present continuous, will for future) NB candidate must mention 2 examples
- humour (e.g. at least one perfect wedding, 'misuse' of clichés from other contexts - grand tour)
- informal/colloquial/spoken because of anecdotal nature (e.g. big bash, packed off, chances are)
- Incidental information about people involved (e.g. age, hometown, names of parents)
- Facts interspersed with opinions and comments
- Surprise / cryptic element in headline / personalisation in headline (we're)
- Shared cultural referencing (e.g. got down on one knee)
- exposition (setting, background)
- development (situation develops, more characters introduces)
(setting, bad event, overcoming bad event, resolution)
Sequencers / time related linkers (then, after that, before long)
Relative clauses / participle clauses (passing through the forest, he saw)
Lexis relevant to folk tales (magic, witch, broom)
Layout (Picture, Title/heading, Different fonts / bolding for questions/non-bold for answers)
- Organisation structure i.e. Brief introduction, followed by rest of article, with promotion at end (for Jimmy's show)
- Question and answer format e.g. Do you enjoy cooking? I do
- Preferences / experiences e.g. What food reminds you of your childhood? [...] desserts that my mum used to make [...]
- Humorous anecdote e.g. eating white mouse
- Lack of controversial content / positive content (to promote Jimmy Osmond) e.g. food / family /family man
- Tidied up (spoken) language e.g. no hesitations devices / no repetition / no rephrasing
- Direct speech e.g. What's your favourite recipe?
- Pun in the title i.e. CelebrityBites (what the celebrity eats vs. sound-bites)
- Expressions/adverbs/adjectives to express attitude/feelings/opinions e.g. it's fun,
unfortunately, it's so yummy, it's amazing
- Person reference e.g. you in questions and I in answers
- Short answers / question tags e.g. I do, isn't it?
- Contractions / ungrammatical sentences / vague language / fillers e.g. it's like a big art project, that's totally my mum, stuff, and boy
- Short sentences / simple linking devices / parataxis e.g. and
- Punctuation e.g. exclamation marks / dashes