Types of Writing

Preparing and Planning:

When first starting to write, think of TAP:

TEXT - do you need to write a speech? Story? Article?

AUDIENCE - Who are you writing for? Adults? Peers? Children?

PURPOSE - Why are you writing it? To inform? Describe? Persuade?


The link provided below not only gives information on the process, but includes an activity for practice. Try it out...

Writing to Inform:

  • In this type of writing you are clearly telling your reader something
  • use facts
  • address the reader directly using "you"
  • Use paragraphs and transitional/connective words to link your paragraphs and sentences

In this type of writing, make sure the language you use is clear, factual and impersonal.

Example:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Beat 1 cup of butter or margarine, 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 a cup of packed light brown sugar, then add 2 eggs and a teaspoon of vanilla extract into a large bowl until light and fluffy. Stir together 2 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour, 3/4 tsp. of baking soda and 1/4 tsp salt; add to butter/margerine mixture, beating until well balanced . Stir in 1 2/3 cup of chocolate chips, you may add chopped walnuts if you like. Drop rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheet.

3. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or just until set. Cool slightly; remove from baking sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Writing to Persuade:

We use this type of writing to convince/persuade someone. You want them to accept your opinion on an issue: you want to change that person's mind to your way of thinking.


  • Use "we"/"our" or "us" to involve your reader
  • use devices like rhetorical questions, alliteration, facts
  • give several, separate, persuasive reasons



Writing to Advise:

When writing to advise, you might reassure and/or challenge your reader. Think of an advice column in a magazine or asking your friend for advice with something.

  • Use words like "can", "could", "may", "might", "should", "must", "would", "will"
  • You might add sub-headings or bullet points
  • use imperatives like "ask someone..." or "talk to..."


How would you respond to the following:

Dear Sympathetic Sarah,

I am a 14 year old girls whose friends are pressuring her to drink. I don't want to drink and would like advice on how to keep my friends without giving in to peer pressure.


*Remember to consider the problem and respond in a way that makes sense and considers the success of the reader.

Writing to Recount:

This type of writing is a retelling or a sequence of events that happened to a writer or a speaker. We use it a lot.

  • gives details about who, what, when, where, why
  • events happen in chronological order
  • use time connectives: "first", "next", "during", "later", "meanwhile", in the end"
  • use details and description that will interest the reader/listener


Writing to Describe:

The primary purpose of this type of writing to to create an image in the audience's mind.

  • use the 5 senses: sight, sound, smell, touch. taste
  • use similes and metaphors
  • use best descriptive language
  • use adjectives and adverbs

Follow the link. Can you find examples of descriptive language in the excerpt below?

TRANSITION WORDS & Connectives

Use these words in your writing to help you move from one idea to the next more smoothly.

connective list.docx