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1. Report

2. Procedure

3. Explanation

4. Recount.

5. Narrative

6. Exposition

7. Discussion

8. Response

1.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 attached [N1]to the outside of the eye ball. Theses muscles turn the eye in any direction.
The sclera [N2]is 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 rounded shape.
The cornea is at the front of the eye[N3]. 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.

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: Writea report about a type of wood OR about a particular school of painting OR about microwave ovens.

2.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 solution[N4]

Fill contact lens container with the saline solution.
Remove[N5] one lens carefully and place on the palm of your hand.
Place a few drops of anti-alkaline solution on the inside of the lens
Rub gently with the little finger, cleaning the lens.
Then [N6]place the lens in the saline solution and screw on the cap firmly[N7][N8][N9][N10]
Repeat the steps for the other lens.

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.

3.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 provides [N11]visual 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 lens[N12]. 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.[N13]
The processing of light into sight is extremely complicated.

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’?

4.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 week[N14] 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 dilated [N15]my pupils. The I went into the doctor’s room where I was seated on a big chair. The doctor placed a large machine [N16]in front of my eyes and he asked [N17]me to read the letters on the wall. He changed the lens a number of times to work out the type of glasses I needed.
Afterwards [N18]he wrote a prescription for my glasses and we had them made up.

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 Tetsuya’s.

5.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. Countless [N19]reports flashed on the Internet about ‘Starers’ [N20]and their angry, red, unfocused [N21]eyes.
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 slowly [N22]up the stairs. He’d been gone too long [N23]and, as I’d told him not to mooch around outside, I decided to reconnoitre. As [N24]he 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…..

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.

6.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 problems [N25]like risk factors and should not seriously considered [N26]as an option.
Firstly[N27], there are always [N28]risks 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 unnecessary [N29]operations should be avoided.
Therefore, though the operation might fix the problem, there are other safer and cheaper options people can take.

Practice

HSIE: Germany was responsible for the outbreak of World War I OR We have no responsibility to clean up other people’s 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.

7.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. Television [N30]is 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 1920’s 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 also [N31]provided 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 sale [N32]of Telstra as they feel they will lose vital links with the world.
On the other hand[N33], there are other inventions [N34]that 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 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 re-introduced? OR Advertising does more harm than good.

8.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 writer’s attitudes

the use of the present tense

descriptive words

abstract words such as ‘the analysis’, ‘the interpretation’

Example

‘Second Sight’ is a compelling [N35]film set in suburban Sydney in the 1990’s. It deals with the reawakening of forgotten emotions experienced by the central character, Averil Page, after a serious accident.
The film begins [N36]by 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-warming [N37]film that espouses old world values. The powerful characterisation [N38]and 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!

Practice

HSIE: Review the movie ‘Gallipoli’ OR Review an episode from one of David Attenborough’s 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 student’s HSC project. OR write a response to a piece of art work OR Assess a student’s proposal for a major work.

[N1]1Present tense

[N2]1Technical word

[N3]1generalised words, not descriptive

[N4]1technical language

[N5]1action or command words

[N6]1time word indicating the order of the actions

[N7]1descriptive word on how to do the action

[N8]1present tense

[N9]1

[N10]1

[N11]1present tense

[N12]1 technical language

[N13]1cause and effect words

[N14]1Time words

[N15]1a descriptive word

[N16]1descriptive word

[N17]1past tense

[N18]1time word

[N19]1descriptive word

[N20]1Proper names of the characters

[N21]1group of descriptive words

[N22]1action words

[N23]1time words

[N24]1Time word

[N25]1generalised terms

[N26]1emotive words

[N27]1linking word

[N28]1qualifyiny word

[N29]1emotive word

[N30]1formal words used, not ‘TV’

[N31]1linking word

[N32]1formal language

[N33]1linking word

[N34]1generic words

[N35]1Descriptive word

[N36]1Present tense

[N37]1expressing opinions

[N38]1general abstract word