Key Idea: Media texts are written for the public: articles, opinion columns, reviews, interviews, speeches, brochures, and news reports. Know each one's parts and tone.
Article
- Headline and hook, a developed body, then a conclusion ("In short,…").
- No greeting and no sign-off.
- Semi-formal: informative but lively, for a general reader.
- Back each point with a connector and an example.
Opinion column
- A catchy headline, often a question, and your stance in the first line.
- Argue: your view, a reason or example, the other side, then your answer to it.
- First person and persuasive all through: however, therefore, above all.
Review
- Describe — Name the work and say what it is about. No spoilers.
- Evaluate — One strength and one weakness, each with a reason: "The best thing is…" / "The one thing that lets it down is…"
- Recommend — "All in all, I'd recommend it to…" a kind of reader.
Interview
- Introduce the guest: "Today we are interviewing…"
- Ask open questions (How…? Why…?) and follow-ups. Avoid yes/no questions.
- Close: "To finish, thank you for your time."
- Semi-formal and polite, and each answer adds a detail.
Speech
- Greet and hook: "Good morning everyone…" / "How many of you…?"
- Signpost the body: "First… Second… Finally…"
- Call to action and thanks: "So I'm asking you to…" / "Thank you for listening."
- Spoken and energetic. Use "you", "we" and rhetorical questions.
Brochure
- Title / slogan — A catchy title that grabs attention.
- Intro — Who or what the brochure is about.
- Sections — Short sections with headings and bullet points.
- Details — Concrete practical facts.
- Call to action — "Discover! … Sign up now!"
News report
- Headline, then a lead: who, what, when, where.
- Third person, past tense, facts not opinions.
- Tie every fact to a source: "according to…", "said the mayor".
- End with what happens next.
Two pairs are easy to mix up: an article has no sign-off, and a news report has no opinions.
Which text types give your opinion from the first line? The opinion column and the review.
What must a review never include? Spoilers.
What does a news report lead tell you? Who, what, when and where.
Why avoid yes/no questions in an interview? They give short answers. Open questions get developed ones.
How does a speech end? A call to action, a memorable close and thanks.