features+of+a+text?

1 Begin by reading the text. As you read, highlight and look up in a dictionary any terms that you do not know. 2 When you have finished reading the text, stop and think about what you have just learnt. 3 Now read through the text again. This time as you read, think about why the text was written and see if you can identify the main ideas. 4 Now attempt to answer the questions below. a) Why do you think that this text was written? What is its purpose? Was it written to advise, persuade, instruct or inform? Think about who wrote it? Who did they write for? What did they want to say?   b)  Summarise the main ideas presented in the text. c) Discuss the key features of this piece of writing? (refer to reverse side of this page for some ideas)   d)  Do you consider that this text is effective? How do the features of the text enhance or detract from its effectiveness? e) Compare and contrast this piece with another on a similar topic. Think about the way the information is given, the facts that are presented and the interpretation of the information.

Some features of texts you can discuss (note in a __creative text__ use elements from short stories) ·  Headings & subheadings ·  Icons / graphics that help the reader navigate the text ·  Steps ·  Numbering ·  Bullet / dot points ·  Sections of text e.g. materials required, conclusion, summary, recommendations, statement of goals, bibliography / references, introduction ·  Text formatting e.g. Italics, bolding, underlining ·  Use of punctuation ·  Purpose of text e.g. informative, instructional, narrative ·  Tone ·  Bias ·  Views and opposing views ·  Statements of fact – are these substantiated through referencing or quotations or are these the writer’s opinion? ·  Language – slang, colloquial, formal, informal, dialect ·  Abbreviations ·  Vocabulary ·  Supportive material ·  Diagrams ·  Graphs / charts ·  Tables ·  Pictures / Graphics ·  Cartoons ·  Emotion ·  Narrative ·  Visual ·  Active ·  Film ·  Navigation e.g. menu, contents