Question B - Key features of different types of functional writing

Writing for Different Platforms

• Newspaper articles, magazine articles, and online news source articles should include: title, sub-heading, by-line, and sign-off.
• Be aware of the target audience and adjust the tone accordingly, whether it's serious or light-hearted.
• Refer to the readership and consider mentioning future articles or related sections.

Writing an Editorial

• Write as the editor, reflecting the publication's stance on a particular issue.

Online Articles

• Include a web address at the top.
• Add a link to the number of views the article has attracted.

School Website Articles

• Omit the comment section.
• Keep the layout clear and realistic, but focus on the key parts of the question.

Writing a Personal Letter

• Include your address and date.
• Omit the recipient's address.
• Use a casual sign-off, depending on the recipient (e.g., close friends or family members).

Writing an Open Letter

• Intended for a wide readership, often published in newspapers or on social media.
• Address the readership accordingly: "Dear followers", "Fellow citizens of Galway", or "To my friends, family, and loved ones".
• Share opinions with a large audience through a public forum.

Key Features of a Speech

• Use lots of direct address to engage the audience and show awareness of their presence
• Speak directly to the audience, using inclusive language and phrases like "As I'm sure you all know…", "Many of you may already be aware…", and "Ladies and gentlemen…"
• Greet the audience at the start and introduce yourself
• Use rhetorical questions to provoke thought and elicit a response
• Employ triadic phrasing, such as using three examples or reasons in a row, to create a powerful effect
• Utilize emotive language, including metaphors, similes, and personification, to sound engaged and passionate about the topic
• Repeat key phrases or goals for emphasis
• Use anecdotes to create a connection with the audience and prove a point
• Anticipate and undermine opposing views by identifying concerns and addressing them
• Employ exaggeration to make a point or emphasize a statement

Key Features of a Proposal

• Use a clear heading that outlines the proposal
• Outline the current situation and explain hopes or plans
• Clearly state the benefits of the proposal
• Maintain a respectful tone
• The purpose is to persuade, so be persuasive!

Key Features of a Diary Entry or Reflective Journal

• Include a date for each entry
• Start with "Dear Diary" or "Dear Journal"
• Use a casual sign-off at the end, followed by your first name
• Keep the tone personal and reflective
• Try to create a sense of your personality through your writing
• Add details and plenty of reflection to process events and feelings

Writing a Dialogue

• A dialogue can be in the form of a conversation between two people, a script, or an interview.
• Clearly indicate who is speaking by using a colon after the person's name.
• No need for quotation marks; instead, use a new line for each speaker.
• In an interview, the person answering questions typically has longer responses.
• In a dialogue, both speakers should have relatively equal amounts to say.
• Consider the formality of the dialogue based on who is speaking.

Writing a Podcast

• Address your listeners frequently in the podcast.
• Start with a welcome message, thanking regular listeners and encouraging new ones to subscribe.
• Briefly mention sponsors, if applicable.
• Consider whether there is one or two presenters.

Writing an Introduction to a Collection

• Provide a title for the introduction, specifying the collection (e.g., "An introduction to the revised collection of Emily Dickinson's poems").
• Maintain a positive tone, complimenting the contents of the collection.
• Express enthusiasm for the work, without giving away too many details.
• Allude to specific aspects of the collection without revealing too much.