TEXT TYPES

Introducing text types

Throughout the course, students must be exposed to a wide range of text types. The aim of such exposure is to familiarize students with the texts’ different formats, styles and registers. This will, in turn, enable students to produce texts using the appropriate conventions in paper 2 (sections A and B (HL only)) and the written assignment at both levels.
Below are definitions of some of the popular text types, which may vary depending on the target language. Please note that the definitions below do not cover all the available text types—they are simply intended to provide guidance for teachers and students.

• An editorial is an expression of the (impersonal) opinion of the editor or editorial team of a newspaper or magazine about a recent event or current issue.
• An interview is a dialogue in question-and-answer style. It may include a brief introduction to the interviewee, setting or circumstances of the interview.
• A journalistic review is a review of a book, film, television or radio programme that is suitable for inclusion in a newspaper or magazine. It is based on the author’s experience and is subjective.
• A magazine article is a non-fictional text written to inform readers about a particular subject or issue in some detail.
• An opinion column is the part of a newspaper or journal devoted to the expression of journalists’ or readers’ opinions.
• A pastiche is the imitation of the style and form of an original published work.
• A brochure/ leaflet/ pamphlet provides descriptive information to inform, sell or raise awareness about a certain issue.
• A play (for the written assignment at HL) may be a short play or scene written by the student, or an additional scene(s) to an existing play.
• A short story or narration (for the written assignment at HL) may be a chapter or section of a text written by the student, or an additional chapter or alternative ending to an existing novel or novella.

The examples of student work contained in this teacher support material are examples of the language skills and types of exercises with which students must be familiar.

PAPER 2 WRITING ASSIGNMENT

The aim of paper 2 is to assess the student’s ability to communicate accurately in writing for a variety of purposes. It requires the student to demonstrate his or her productive skills.
HL paper 2 is divided into two sections.

• Section A (250–400 words): Based on the options—customs and traditions, cultural diversity, health, leisure, science and technology
• Section B (150–250 words): Based on the core—social relationships, communication and media, global issues

In section B, the student writes a reasoned argument in response to a stimulus text dealing with a topic linked to the core. The text could be a news report or a comment by a public figure. The response should engage with details of the text in order to develop some coherent discussion of the topic area, informed by what has been learned during the study of the core. There is no prescribed answer—what is assessed is the student’s ability to express his or her reflection on, or personal response to, the stimulus.
The examples of student work are based on the following task.

Write an essay based on the following statement using between 150 and 250 words.
In recent years we have been predicting that printed newspapers will disappear. With the latest digital editions of newspapers being widely read, it seems clear that the printed newspaper format will disappear.

SAMPLE