Non-Fiction

Non-chronological report / Information text

The Non-Chronological report, also known as an Information Report, this text
informs the reader about a certain topic using facts based on that topic. It could be a
report about animals, e.g. The Megalodon shark, your city, e.g. Cairo or even about an
invention such as the bicycle.
The purpose is to inform the reader about a chosen topic.
The layout is as follows:
It’s really simple, it will have:
● A Title which tells the reader what the topic is about.
● An introduction that gives the reader brief information about the topic.
● May include subheadings which are followed by detailed paragraphs about the
subheading
● End off with a summary or conclusion of what you want the reader to remember.

Features:
● Written in present tense
● Written in third person (No use of first-person pronouns such as I, we, us etc…)
● Technical vocabulary – vocabulary related to the specific topic chosen
● Formal language
● Facts

Persuasive Texts

These types of text are used to persuade the reader to adopt the point of view of the
writer. Also known as arguments, they attempt to convince the reader using facts and
reasons to formulate the argument. This is known as a biased argument (Meaning it is
1- sided)

Types of Persuasive texts:

There are various different types of Persuasive texts that you may be familiar
with.

Some examples are as follows:

 ● Advertisements (Ads to convince the reader to buy a product, example: Kellog’s
Cornflakes. Or to buy a service, e.g. Fly using Egyptair, Delta Airlines

● Speeches (Example: Speech about allowing students to bring mobile phones to

school)

● Letters (Example: a letter to the principal to change breaks from 2 breaks to 4

breaks! - And no more homework!)

● Blogs online, Reports or Articles (example: a report about how pollution is

damaging the environment)

Features:
● Written in present tense
● Connectives such as therefore, however, because,
● Facts and evidence to support point of view
● Strong reasons to support and adopt point of view

List of persuasive techniques:

● Alliteration
● Group of 3 (3 adjectives to strengthen the idea, e.g. strong, sturdy and
dependable)
● Statistic – 9 out of 10 students prefer wearing casual clothes as opposed to
school clothes.
● Facts – The dog is a mammal
● Opinions – The strong and vicious cat
● Alliteration: The Shimmering, shine from the moon is a reflection from the sun
● Emotive language: We are poor, helpless children that are forced into doing
dishes and cleaning up after ourselves. We even have to make up our own bed!
● Exaggeration – Even though we study 24 hours a day, we still lose a few marks.
● Rhetorical question – Do you want to get a good mark for the upcoming exam (A
question to which you already know the answer)
● Bossy verbs: Buy this milkshake now! Come on over to Carrefour Supermarket.
● Figures of a speech: Similes , metaphors. E.g. It’s a steal at $99,99 for a 64 inch
flat screen TV.

Balanced Argument

This is an argument where both sides are presented equally from different viewpoints.

Layout of a Balanced Argument is as follows:

1. Topic is introduced – details of what the argument is
2. Reasons why the issue is supported, including evidence
 3. Reasons against the issue including evidence
4. Summary of the points mentioned and conclusion of argument

Features:
● Written in 3rd person
● Present tense
● Written in impersonal voice using formal language
● Logical connectives to strengthen points such as therefore, however, even
though, in conclusion
● Includes facts and evidence for support
● Balanced

Recounts

Basically, this is a type of text which recalls what has happened in the past in the time
order that it has occurred.

Some examples of recounts are as follows:

● Newspaper article
● Biography
● Autobiography
● Diary / Journal
● Letter
● Recount of a trip

Features:
● Written in chronological order (time order) using words such as first, secondly,
after that. Finally, etc.
● Written in past tense
● Written in 1st person (for letters, journals or diaries) or 3rd person
● Quotations from witnesses or people who were present at the event *In a News
Article

Autobiography
An autobiography is a recount of someone’s life story written by him/herself.
Its purpose is to give information.

Features:
● Written in First-person using words such as I, my, we, us etc…
● Should be written in past tense
● It will include important dates and events in the person’s life.
● Time connectives may be included, such as firstly, thereafter, after that, finally …
● The person’s experiences, feelings and opinions may also be included.
 Biography
A Biography is a recount of someone’s life story written by someone else. For example,
books could be Martin Luther King, Steve Jobs, the man who invented Apple iPhones.
Its purpose is to give information.

Features:
● Written in Third Person using words such as he, she, they, them etc…
● Should be written in past tense.
● Written in chronological order.
● It will include important dates and events in the person’s life.
● Written in paragraphs which may include subheadings (optional) e.g. Early life,
education, career, achievements.
● Time connectives may be included, such as firstly, thereafter, after that, finally …
● The person’s experiences, feelings and opinions may also be included.

Newspaper report / Newspaper Article

A newspaper report also known as a news article is a recount of events that have
happened. Its purpose is to give information about current events.

Features:
● Chronological order
● Past tense
● 3rd Person
● A Picture with a caption may be included *Optional
● Quotation by a witness/bystander
● Formal Language

Structure/Layout of a News Article:

Headline

It should grab the reader’s attention. It does not have to be a full sentence. Rhymes,
puns or even alliteration may be used to capture attention, e.g. Small seal spotted on
Surrey Estate adopted by Smith family

● By-line – Tells who the article was written by

● Lead sentences which will include the 5 W’s + H (Who, where, when, what, why
+ how)

1st paragraph will give more details such as:

 ● What happened
● Who did it
● How it happened
● When it happened
● Where it happened

Diaries and Journals

By now, you have probably come across a diary entry or at least may have seen one.

This is a recount that is written by a person. It may include details of their day and will
include the date for each diary entry.
Some examples of diary books: Diary of a wimpy kid, Dork Diaries.

Features
● The date should be included for each entry
● Written in chronological order
● 1st Person
● Written using chatty/informal language
● Past tense
● Thoughts, feelings and experiences should be used using emotive language to
convey feelings

Explanation Text

It is a text that explains how a process works or about an event.

Features:
● Third person . e.g. It is an extraordinary example of advanced technology...
● Present tense – e.g. Water is poured into the container.
● Formal language using passive voice, e.g. The motor is controlled by a series of
devices.
● Technical vocabulary related to the topic. E.g. motor, coil, springs, wires
● Diagram or picture with labels to make it clearer to the reader. (optional)
● May be written in number order.

The layout of an Explanation text is as follows:

● Title which may include ‘How’. E.g. How motors work.

● General statement which introduces the topic that will be explained.
 ● Sequenced explanations of stages in the process mentioned. (It may be in
paragraphs
● Written chronologically using connectives, e.g.
● Conclusion that links back to the introduction

Review

It is the opinion and evaluation of someone that has tried out a product. It may be a
book, a game, a movie etc.

For example, a Youtube review on a new game, for example, Fortnite.

This is usually written as a non-fiction text and the purpose is to either give a
recommendation to use or not use a certain product by describing and evaluating it. The
Reviewer will highlight good points and bad points about gameplay, quality of graphics
and gaming experience etc. It will provide an analysis of the good points as well as the
negative points of the product and conclude with a recommendation.

The layout is as follows:

● Title of product / book

● Author’s name
● Main characters and names and their roles
● Setting + Plot
● Good or bad points about the product
● Give your recommendation of the product
● Give a rating out of 5 stars or 10 points
● Reviewer name
 Paper 2 – Fiction
Narrative text
A Narrative text usually uses the following structure:

Structure:
● Setting + Character
● Problem
● Solution
● Ending

Real-life fiction
Real-life stories is also known as Realistic fiction.

These are stories that could have actually happened to people or animals in a believable and
real setting. These stories resemble real life, and fictional characters within these stories react
similarly to real people in real situations.

Features:

1. Realistic fiction stories take place in settings that could be real/places.

2. Characters are involved in events that could happen.
3. The characters seem like real people with real issues solved in a realistic way.
4. The events and problems are real that a reader could face in everyday life.

Adventure stories
This genre usually contains a story filled with excitement where the main character usually, the
hero, goes on a quest which includes danger and excitement.
Features include:
● A hero who goes on a journey or quest
● A faraway setting which may includes elements of danger
● A build-up, A problem / dilemma that the hero faces
● Short snappy sentences to create effects and excitement
● An ending
 Fables
A short story that includes parables, usually talking animals, and always contains a lesson to be learnt. This is
also known as a Moral.

Examples include:

The Hare and the tortoise, Town and country mouse

Fantasy
Fantasy takes us from a real-life setting to another, constantly taking us on a bold adventure.
It`s a fictional tale with unrealistic factors and parts.
Its purpose is to entertain the reader.

Fantasy story features:

This is what sets fantasy stories from other genres. For a story to be considered "fantasy," it
should incorporate a few magical elements This means that a fantasy element would be
something that does not exist in real life.
May include:
Magic
Fantastic creatures and supernatural things. Example: a Scarecrow that comes to life due to being struck
by lightning
Special magical abilities and powers
Fairies, wizards, witches and sometimes faraway lands
It may be set in the past or the present

Science fiction
The elements of a science fiction novel include:

 Time travel
 Teleportation
 Mind control, telepathy, and telekinesis
 Aliens, extraterrestrial lifeforms, and mutants
 Space travel and exploration
 Interplanetary warfare
 Parallel universes
 Fictional worlds

Layout:
 Begin with an introduction that establishes the setting and characters of the story.
 Develop the plot in the middle of the story, including a conflict and a resolution.
 End the story with a conclusion that provides closure for the plot and characters.