At my school they actually went to the trouble of making a booklet with the different text types and what they incorporate, some text types examined and a few sample questions - although the teacher who put it together forgot to include the editorial. I'll copy out the shortened version of the information provided.
Newspaper Report
Structure:
Headline
First Paragraph
Series of short Paragraphs
Style:
Clear, simple expression
Factual, non emotional, unbiased language
Use of Third Person
May involve Direct or Indirect Speech of experts, eyewitnesses, etc
Illustration/ Visual Text may be used to support written text
Feature Article
Structure:
Headline
Introductory paragraph
Series of short paragraphs
Concluding paragraph
Style: Depending on the writers topic, style and purpose, language may be personal or impersonal, formal or informal. Vocabulary is often more sophisticated. Tense may vary, usually present. The tone of the article may vary from serious to comic (in other words in can feature pretty much any style).
Response or Review Text
Structure:
A paragraph introducing the text being judged
A description of the text
A judgment of the text
Style:
Uses words that expresses judgements and the writers attitudes..
often may be personal and emotive
Usually employs present tense
Often uses descriptive words
Often uses First Person
Diary and/or Journal Text
Structure:
Date at the beginning
Sequence of events for a specific day (or time period)
Formal paragraph not necessary, length of entry may vary
Often a recount though not always in order and can be mixed with
authors own feelings, thoughts, etc.
Does not finish with a definite conclusion
Style:
First person
Does not require proper sentences and punctuation
Can employ slang vocabulary
Tense includes both past for recounting events and present for
expressing thought or state of mind
Tone may vary from bland and factual to highly personal and emotional
Narrative Text
Structure:
Orientation
Complication
Series of Events
Resolution
Style:
Specific Characters
Time words that connect events to tell when they occur
Strong verbs to show the action that occurs within the story
Effective descriptive words, adjectives, to portray character and setting
Information Report
Structure:
A general opening statement
A series of paragraphs about the subject
A conclusion
Style:
Technical Language related to the subject
Generalised terms
The use of the timeless Present Tense
Letter to the Editor
Structure:
An introductory paragraph
A series of paragraphs
A concluding paragraph
Formal ending, often including the name and suburb of the writer
Every line begins on the left hand margin and there is a gap of one
line to indicate a new paragraph
The newspaper usually imposes length restrictions, this will be
indicated in the exam
Style:
Language can be subjective and personal but should not be too
emotional.
May employ humour...irony, sarcasm, etc
Often ends with a rhetorical question or stylish flourish to 'punch' home
the central point
Tone will vary. May be serious and sincere, outraged, scornfull, flippant
and so on.
Personal Letter
Structure:
Varies enormously and follows no strict rules. Usually has some form of
salutation..eg, G'day Tony and some closure e.g See ya, mate.
usually in paragraph format but no strict rules apply
Style:
Language register varies from formal to slang
Rules regarding grammar and syntax do not necessarily apply
Style is a matter of personal choice..effective communication is the
sole governing factor
Letter of Complaint
Structure:
Formal Letter Format:
*Date written on top left hand side of page
*Date and address of the recipient [whom you are complaining to]
below date
*A salutation...Dear Sir/ Madam
*Short paragraphs that outline the problem and desired solution
*A closing, usually yours sincerely, with the composer's signature,
the composer's name in clear lettering and the composer's title [if any]
Style:
Formal Language
Appropriate tone and Register...serious and assertive, but not aggressive
Employment Application Letter
Structure:
Formal Letter Format:
*Date written on top left hand side of page
*Name and Address of the Firm/Company you are applying to
*A salutation...Dear Sir/ Madam
*Series of short paragraphs - 1st paragraph stating the position being
applied for and where it was advertised, then a series of paragraphs
setting out experience and qualifications, etc
Style:
Formal Language
Appropriate tone and register...serious, sincere, respectful.
Written Speech
Structure:
Salutation...an opening address....Ladies and gentlemen...classmates
An effective opening which catches the audiences attention and
establishes the topic and purpose of the speech
A series of paragraphs developing the argument, themes or ideas
A conclusion which summarises the content and relates to the purpose
of the speech. It may include a question, a recommendation, a warning, etc
Style:
The style of your speech will depend upon the purpose and audience
The above factors will be indicated in the detail of the question
May use a range of registers from Formal to Slang
Often uses humour to gain audiences attention
Use of First Person (I, you, we, my, etc)
Use of rhetorical questions to set up a 'conversation' with the audience
Use of repetition to allow the listener to follow the main idea
Not always as correct grammatically or in terms of syntax and may not
always use full sentences
Interview Text
Structure:
Begins with an introduction of the subject interview, perhaps explaining
the subjects background, area of expertise/celebrity, etc
Usually consists of series of questions and responses, usually in direct,
rather than reported speech, and sometimes in the form of a Drama Script
Closure may be in the form of a final comment from the interviewer, the
subject or a concluding comment on the topic of the interview
Style: Varies in terms of tone, register, vocabulary, etc depending upon the subject of an interview, the purpose of the interview and the audience.
Explanation Text
Structure:
A general statement in the introductory paragraph about the event or thing
A series of paragraphs that tell the how or the why
A concluding paragraph
Style:
The use of Technical Language if required
The use of words that show cause and effect...because, therefore..led to, etc
The use of the timeless Present Tense
Exposition Text (Argument Essay)
Structure:
An introductory paragraph that gives the writers point of view on the
particular topic and previews the argument that will follow.
A series of arguments that aim to convince the reader, usually organised
in a series of paragraphs - one paragraph per main idea and a topic
sentence to begin each paragraph and introduce each new idea or aspect
of the argument
A concluding paragraph that sums up the writers argument and re-enforces
that point of view.
Style:
The use of fairly formal language
The use of words that show the writers attitude
At times the use of Emotive Language to convince the reader
The use of words to link cause and effect
Now, I just want to clarify a few small things. First of all, my apologies on the size of this massive post that most people will either ignore completely or possibly skim through. Secondly, Im aware some of the listed information is quite obvious, and I dont take any of you for idiots, which is the specific reason I left out the listed 'purpose' and extra information beside specifically what to write next to the constantly repeated word 'paragraph' - If you'd like me to modify it in any way please make me aware of it via pm
