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1. Report....................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Procedure.................................................................................................................................. 4
3. Explanation............................................................................................................................... 6
4. Recount..................................................................................................................................... 8
5. Narrative................................................................................................................................. 10
6. Exposition............................................................................................................................... 12
7. Discussion............................................................................................................................... 14
8. Response................................................................................................................................ 16
Report

Structure
A report presents information about a subject. It usually contains facts about the subject, a
description and information on its parts, behaviour and qualities. It has:

a general opening statement to introduce the subject a short description or a definition

a series of paragraphs, each of which includes one feature of the subject. Each paragraph
begins with a topic sentence

a conclusion to summarise the information.

Language
Language features are

Technical language

Generalised terms not evaluative terms (eg wood, not beautiful wood)

Use of the present tense

Example
The eye is the most important sense organ for humans. It detects light and,
together with the brain, the eye allows us to see. It is shaped like a ball and is
about 3 cm in diameter. The eye has several parts.
Several muscles are attachedto the outside of the eye ball. Theses muscles turn
the eye in any direction.
The sclerais the outer layer of the eye. This is a thick layer of tough white fibres.
The sclera protects the delicate inner structures of the eye and also maintains it
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rounded shape.
The cornea is at the front of the ey. It is a transparent circular window. It is
continuous with the sclera but forms a bulge. The curved cornea bends light rays
as they enter the eye, so that they converge on the back of the eye ball.
The lens is behind the iris. It is a small, curved round, transparent disk. It can
change its thickness. It bends light rays so they meet on the retina.
This outlines some of the basic parts of the eye and their particular role in sight.

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Practice
Now it is time for you to practise.
HSIE: Write a report about volcanoes OR what life was like at Gallipoli.
Science/Maths/PD: Write a report about the human skeleton OR about the properties of an
isosceles triangle.
TAS/Creative Arts: Write a report about a type of wood OR about a particular school of painting
OR about microwave ovens.

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1. Procedure
Structure
Procedures give us instructions for doing something. This could be directions, recipes, itineraries,
experiments. Their structure is:

a goal or aim

a list of materials needed

the steps in the order they need to be done

each step starts on a new line to indicate the order of steps clearly.

Language
The language for procedures includes:

using technical language

sentences beginning with verbs that are commands

time words such as next or then or now OR each step can be numbered to indicate
order

adverbs such as carefully, slowly lightly are used to show how to do the step.

Example
To clean contact lenses.
You will need:

Lens container

Saline solution

Anti-alkaline solutio
1. Fill contact lens container with the saline solution.
2.

Remov one lens carefully and place on the palm of your

hand.

3. Place a few drops of anti-alkaline solution on the inside of

the lens
4. Rub gently with the little finger, cleaning the lens.
5.

Thenplace the lens in the saline solution and screw on the

cap firly

6. Repeat the steps for the other lens.

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Practice
Now it is the time for you to practise:
HSIE: How did a young man become a knight OR How to buy a car
Maths/Science/PD: How to conduct an experiment on the presence of oxygen in air OR How to
prove Pythagoras theorem OR How to make a shot at basketball
DT/Visual Art/TAS: How to make a mortice and tenon joint OR How to make a simple pot OR
How to make scones.

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2. Explanation
Structure
An explanation tells us HOW or WHY something is as it is. It looks at the steps in the process (the
how) and gives reasons (the why).
The steps for constructing an explanation are:

a general statement about the event or object

a series of paragraphs that tell the hows or whys

a concluding paragraph.

Language
The language features are:

Technical language

Words that show cause and effect

Use of the timeless present tense

Example
The eye providesvisual information to the brain.
It works by collecting rays of light which reflect from objects. These rays of light
travel through the cornea, pupil and len. The lens bends the light on the retina
and forms an image. This image is then converted into electrical signals which
travel through the optic nerve. These electrical signals are then interpreted as an
image by the brain
The processing of light into sight is extremely complicated.

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Practice
HSIE: What causes weather? OR Explain how Indigenous people reacted to the first white
people.
Maths/Science/PD: Why do some trees lose their leaves in winter OR What is the difference
between simple and compound interest? Or What is a foul in basketball.
DT/Visual Art/TAS: What is CAD? Or How do Australian indigenous people explain the creation of
the world in their art/stories? OR What is a roux?

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3. Recount.
Structure
A recount retells past events, usually in the order in which they happened. It tells the audience
WHAT and WHEN events occurred.
Recounts include newspaper and television reports, conversations, letters, eye-witness accounts.
Recounts have:

a first paragraph that gives background information about who, what where, when. (an
orientation)

a series of paragraphs retelling the events in chronological order

sometimes a concluding paragraph.

Language
The language features are:

proper noun to identify those in the text

descriptive words to give details about who, what, when, where, and how

use of past tense

time words such as first, next, then

try to avoid overuse of then or said

use descriptive words to add detail and interest.

Example
Last wee my mum took me to see the optometrist to have my eyes checked. I was
having trouble with my school work and my teacher suggested a visit to the eye
doctor.
When I got there, the nurse put drops in my eyes and these dilatedmy pupils. The
I went into the doctors room where I was seated on a big chair. The doctor placed
a large machinein front of my eyes and he askedme to read the letters on the
wall. He changed the lens a number of times to work out the type of glasses I
needed.
Afterwardshe wrote a prescription for my glasses and we had them made up.

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Practice
HSIE: Retell your grandparents experiences in the Depression OR The day I went to see the
rock ledge.
Maths/Science/PD: The story of how Archimedes found his theory OR The search for a cure for
the common cold OR The netball team win at the weekend.
DT/Visual Art/TAS: The first time I used the lathe OR My visit to the Art Gallery. OR The night I
dined at Tetsuyas.

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4. Narrative
Structure
A narrative tells a story. It aims to entertain or inform the reader or listener. It can include novels,
spoken stories, historical fiction and other stories.
Its structure is:

orientation who/what is in the story, when it is taking place and where. This can be a
sentence or longer as a paragraph

complication that sets off the chain of events

a series of events where the character react to the complication

the resolution which resolves the story neatly.

Language
A narrative features:

specific characters

time words that connect events to tell when they occur

action verbs to show the actions that occur in the story

descriptive words, such as noun groups and groups of adjectives to portray the characters
and settings

Example
The body snatcher invasion was well underway. Countlessreports flashed on the
Internet about Starersand their angry, red, unfocusedeyes.
Heaps of people were possessed but I was certain this department was clean. The
way these takeovers seemed to happen was terrible for your social life. I could
hear my partner Slade walking slowlyup the stairs. Hed been gone too longand,
as Id told him not to mooch around outside, I decided to reconnoitre. Ashe
lurched towards me, his eyes, dark in the shadows emerged as glowing coals.
Then tow things happened simultaneously. The hairs on my neck stood up and I
reached for my gun. His peepers were now creepers. Oh not him, not him too
Our leave taking would be short. The dynamite was in place and the hovercraft
humming..

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Practice
HSIE: A day in the life of a medieval peasant OR The environmental protest that was a disaster.
Maths/Science/PD: The day I passed a maths test OR The discovery of radium OR The
loneliness of the long distance runner.
DT/Visual Art/TAS: Increase the turbo boosters now. OR .My most successful day in Art class
OR The day my mum made the Christmas cake.

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5. Exposition
Structure
An exposition is a text that presents ONE side of an issue. It is used when we want to persuade
someone. It is used in advertisements, editorials, spoken arguments, legal defences. Its structure
is:

an introductory statement to preview the argument. It can often be attention grabbing

a series of arguments (or evidence) to convince the audience. Visuals can also be used

a conclusion to reinforce the point of view

Language
The language used is:

emotive words such as you care, a must, the accused, problems, threat.

qualifying words such as usually, probably,

linking words such as firstly, in conclusion, however

often broad generalisations are used pointing to apparently generally accepted ideas or
beliefs

Example
In the past the only way to fix poor eyesight was to wear glasses. However,
modern medical science has developed a surgical operation for correcting sight
problems. This surgical procedure has associated problemslike risk factors and
should not seriously consideredas an option.
Firstl, there are alwaysrisks associated with operations as there is always the
possibility of something going wrong. Today, with designer spectacles and contact
lenses, there is no real need for this operation.
The cost of medical operations also far exceeds the cost of spectacles. Given the
limited resources that exist in the health system, all unnecessaryoperations
should be avoided.
Therefore, though the operation might fix the problem, there are other safer and
cheaper options people can take.

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Practice
HSIE: Germany was responsible for the outbreak of World War I OR We have no responsibility to
clean up other peoples mess
Maths/Science/PD: Maths should be compulsory for the HSC OR Embryo stem cell research is
necessary OR Smoking should be completely forbidden in our country.
DT/Visual Art/TAS: All learning should be by information technology OR Inappropriate art works
should not be included in text books OR Frozen foods are destroying our young people.

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6. Discussion
Structure
A discussion aims to look at both side of an argument. It aims to give the positive and negative,
good and bad points about an issue. You can aim at the end to give your opinion on the topic. A
discussion if used in essays, radio discussions, debates and sometimes newspaper articles. It is
structured in this way:

introductory paragraph that has a definition or introductory statement about the topic. It
can give a brief preview of the topic

a series of paragraphs, each one dealing with one point about the topic and supporting
evidence for that point. Paragraphs can alternate points for and against the topic. Only
one new point per paragraph

final paragraph giving a conclusion and final point of view.

Language
Language used includes :

generic words related to the topic, eg consideration rather than after considering, the
provision of aid instead developed countries provide aid

generally the language needs to be more formal than spoken language

linking words that show a comparison or introduce another argument, such as

another, even though, whilst, in contrast, however, this view is challenged, in
spite of, at the same time

Example
Television: The best invention of the Twentieth Century?
During the twentieth century the world has witnessed the invention of many
amazing things. Televisionis a great invention but there are arguments for and
against whether it is the best invention of the twentieth century.
Television was invented in the 1920s and first came to Australia in 1956. It has
played an important role in communicating news. We can learn instantly about
what is happening in the world because of television. We often see it happening
such as when the Vietnam war was taking place
Television has alsoprovided people with entertainment in their own homes. People
in isolated areas can still feel part of the world because of television. This is
especially true for those Australians who live in the outback areas. This is why
many people are concerned with the possible saleof Telstra as they feel they will
lose vital links with the world.
On the other han, there are other inventionsthat could be seen as more important
than television. Some would argue the computer has made life easier for many
people, including those in the outback, especially with email and internet
connections.
Others would argue that many medical inventions, such as heart pacemakers
which have allowed many people to lead healthy and happy lives despite a
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potentially crippling disease, are a more important invention.

It can be seen that there are reasons supporting and questioning the value of the
invention of television, although many young people would be definitely in favour
of television.

Practice
HSIE: Should Hiroshima have been bombed in 1945? OR Are cars an environmental disaster?
Maths/Science/PD: Examinations are the best way to assess students OR Nuclear power is the
way of the future OR Is it worthwhile teaching drug education in school?
DT/Visual Art/TAS: Should the school day be made longer? OR Should the death penalty be reintroduced? OR Advertising does more harm than good.

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7. Response
Structure
A response text allows us to give our considered response to another text, such as a film, a novel,
a TV show, an art work or any other object. It provides for a description and a judgement. It is
structured this way:

an introductory paragraph to give the name/title of the text being judged as well as the
author/painter/creator and a brief summary of the work

a description of the text that gives details about the text, such as an outline of plot, special
effects. Characterisation or other techniques that are appropriate to the particular text.
This section could have several paragraphs

a judgement of the text/work that includes your opinion and possibly some
recommendations

Language
The language of a response includes:

words that express judgements, feelings and the writers attitudes

the use of the present tense

descriptive words

abstract words such as the analysis, the interpretation

Example
Second Sight is a compellingfilm set in suburban Sydney in the 1990s. It deals
with the reawakening of forgotten emotions experienced by the central character,
Averil Page, after a serious accident.
The film beginsby introducing the audience to the busy and often impersonal life
of the central character. In her rise to the top Averil Page has focussed so intently
on her career that relationships with family and friends became less significant to
the fulfilment of her day to day life and she became increasingly more self
absorbed.
A tragic accident that blinds Averil causes her to reassess her values and realise
that it is the love and support of her family and friends that makes life worth
living. With their guidance and help, she begins to rebuild her life with a renewed
understanding of herself and what is truly important to life.
Second Sight is a heart-warmingfilm that espouses old world values. The
powerful characterisationand strong script save this film from becoming trivialised
and maudlin. It is a feel-good movie for all the family to enjoy. Bring the tissues!
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Practice
HSIE: Review the movie Gallipoli OR Review an episode from one of David Attenboroughs
nature programmes.
Maths/Science/PD: Assess a maths textbook for its usefulness OR a science programme you
have seen OR a fitness programme for a beginning athlete.
DT/Visual Art/TAS: Give a response to a students HSC project. OR write a response to a piece
of art work OR Assess a students proposal for a major work.

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