The text type: a social media post: A social media post is one of the personal text types in Unit 2. In Paper 1 you might be asked to write one; in Paper 2 you might read one and answer questions on it.
It is a short, public message to your followers. It is written in a close, direct register (you/your, not formal), and it has a recognisable shape: a hook, a short message, a call to action, and hashtags — often with emojis.
The words below are the vocabulary you need to talk about, read and write one. Treat the list as a glossary.
- post (a post)
- a short public message you share on social media
- follower(s)
- the people who see and follow what you share online
- hook
- the eye-catching first line that makes people stop and read
- call to action (CTA)
- a line that tells the reader exactly what to do — e.g. share, tag, sign up
- to share
- to pass a post on so your followers see it too
- to tag (someone)
- to mention a specific person so they get notified
- hashtag (#)
- a keyword after a # symbol that groups posts by topic
- emoji
- a small picture (🌱, 👇) used to add tone or draw the eye
- register
- how formal or informal the language is for a given reader
- close / direct register
- friendly, informal language that speaks straight to the reader (you/your)
- to go viral
- to be shared so widely that huge numbers of people see it
- caption
- the short text written under a photo or video in a post
- audience
- the people a text is aimed at; here, your followers
| Feature of a post | What it does |
|---|---|
| Hook: "Did you know…?" | Grabs attention in the first line so people keep reading. |
| Message: what, when, where | Gives the key facts quickly and clearly — no long paragraphs. |
| Call to action: "Share and tag a friend" | Tells the reader exactly what to do next. |
| Hashtags: #ZeroWaste | Group the post by topic so the right people find it. |
| Emojis: 🌱 👇 | Add tone and point the eye to the important bit. |
Why this matters: Knowing the conventions of the text type is how you score Criterion C (Conceptual understanding) in Paper 1: examiners check that your post actually looks and sounds like a post — hook, call to action, hashtags, close register — not like a letter.
Speak to your followers: A post is written to followers, so the register is close and direct: you address the reader as you, the sentences are short and punchy, and the tone is energetic. The most common purposes are to invite people to an event, to raise awareness of an issue (recycling, food waste, well-being), or to share an experience.
Useful phrases for a post (close, direct register)
- Did you know that…? / Guess what? — to open with a hook
- Don't miss it! / You won't want to miss this — to build excitement
- Share this post / Tag a friend / Spread the word — calls to action
- Who's in? / Let's do this together — to invite participation
- Swipe up / Link in bio / Comment below 👇 — typical post directions
Post register (what to use)
- You / your — speak straight to the reader.
- Short, lively sentences and the odd emoji.
- Contractions: we're, don't, you'll.
- A hook, a call to action, hashtags.
Formal register (avoid in a post)
- Dear Sir or Madam / I am writing to inform you…
- Long, dense paragraphs with no white space.
- Full, stiff forms: we are, do not, you will.
- A formal sign-off such as 'Yours faithfully'.
Keep it consistent: Pick the close, direct register and keep it from the hook to the hashtags. Mixing in a formal greeting or sign-off breaks the conventions and costs you Criterion C marks.
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Read like Paper 2: Here is a short social media post — the kind of personal text Paper 2 (Reading) might give you. Read it once for the general idea; don't worry about every word. Then we'll work through one exam question together.
Post: a charity market: 🌱 Did you know that every year we throw away tonnes of food that could still be eaten?
This Saturday we're opening a charity market in the main square, from 10am to 2pm. Everything is second-hand or surplus, and all the money goes to the local food bank. Don't miss it!
Share this post and tag a friend who'd love to lend a hand. 👇
#CharityMarket #ZeroWaste
- to throw away
- to get rid of something as rubbish
- surplus
- extra; more than is needed
- second-hand
- previously owned or used; not new
- food bank
- a place that gives free food to people in need
- to lend a hand
- to help with something
IB-style task — one Paper 2 question
One question, step by step
- The question — "According to the post, where does the money from the market go?"
- Find it in the text. Look for the word "money": "…and all the money goes to the local food bank."
- The answer — It goes to the local food bank. The words are right there in the post, so no outside knowledge is needed.
Reading technique: For an "according to the text" question, find the exact line that proves your answer — don't rely on memory or general knowledge.
The task: Your school is running an environment week. Write a social media post for other students to invite them to a beach clean-up.
Use a close, direct register. Write 70–150 words, with a hook, a clear message, a call to action and a couple of hashtags.
Post structure — 4 steps
1
Hook
A first line that grabs attention — often a question or a surprising fact + emoji. "Did you know…? 🌊"
2
Message
Say what is happening, when and where, in a direct tone. "This Saturday we're running a beach clean-up at…"
3
Call to action
Tell the reader what to do. "Share this post and tag a friend."
4
Hashtags
Two or three relevant hashtags. "#CleanBeach #ZeroPlastic"
Hook → Message → Call to action → Hashtags
Model: the 4 steps in action
The post, step by step
- Hook (first line): 🌊 Did you know that every tide leaves kilos of plastic on our beach? Let's change that!
- Message: This Saturday we're running a beach clean-up at Lighthouse Cove, from 10am to 1pm. We'll bring the gloves and bags — you just bring your energy and a friend.
- Call to action: Don't miss it! Share this post and tag anyone you want to bring along. 👇
- Hashtags: #CleanBeach #ZeroPlastic #OurTown
Why it scores: This answer hits all three Paper 1 criteria — here's what earns each one:
A — Language /12
- Range of structures: imperatives "share", "tag"; future "we'll bring"
- Connectors and contractions used naturally
- Topic vocabulary, used accurately
B — Message /12
- Task fully done: invites readers AND gives what/when/where
- Ideas developed with concrete details
C — Conceptual /6
- Post conventions: a hook and hashtags
- Direct address: "you just bring your energy"
- A close, energetic register throughout
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How analysis is tested: Paper 2 sometimes asks you to spot the features of a text: the hook, the register, the purpose and the audience. The clues are in the words on the page — the verbs (share, tag), the emojis and the hashtags. We'll work through the charity-market post again, this time analysing it.
Post: a charity market (again): 🌱 Did you know that every year we throw away tonnes of food that could still be eaten?
This Saturday we're opening a charity market in the main square, from 10am to 2pm. Everything is second-hand or surplus, and all the money goes to the local food bank. Don't miss it!
Share this post and tag a friend who'd love to lend a hand. 👇
#CharityMarket #ZeroWaste
IB-style task — analysing the post
Three features, step by step
- The hook — The first line is a question with an emoji: "🌱 Did you know that every year we throw away tonnes of food…?" It grabs attention immediately.
- The register — It is close and direct (you/your): "Don't miss it!", "Share this post and tag a friend…" The reader is addressed straight on.
- The purpose & audience — It invites the writer's followers to a charity event and asks them to spread the word: "Share this post and tag a friend who'd love to lend a hand."
Analysis technique: For "which feature" or "what register" questions, quote the words that prove it — a feature named with no evidence from the text scores no mark.