The document provides guidance on how to summarize different types of non-fiction texts in exams by converting the genre or text type. It discusses selecting the appropriate writing features and techniques to fit the purpose and audience of the target text type while drawing essential details from the original text. Key points covered include purpose and audience of different text types, their defining features, applying the right techniques to show reading ability and earn marks, and examples of text types that may be asked like reports, letters, interviews.

1. Empathetic Genre ConversionExam preparation

2. Think - PAT

4. Why?Who?What?

5. Any non-fiction text is written in order to be ‘fit for purpose’

6. ‘Fit for purpose’

7. Purpose – the ‘events’Inform

8. Explain

9. Describe

10. Advise

11. Persuade

12. Argue

13. Analyse

14. Review

15. CommentEach text type has an intended ‘target audience’ – the exam is likely to ensure that you can demonstrate a wide ranging vocabulary and technical control.

16. (you won’t be expected to write to a younger sibling for example) – by all means modify your style to suit the given audience but never ‘dumb down’ your expression.

17. Each text type has a set of features which define them: It would be difficult to mistake an interview transcript with a newspaper article for example!

18. You can think of the features of a text as the basic kit which the writer uses to ensure that his/her text is ‘fit for purpose’ and shaped with a particular audience in mind

21. Having selected the right kit (writing features) you can then concentrate on using wide ranging detail from the original text in order to secure as many marks as possible:marks for ‘Reading’15marks for ‘Writing’5

22. If you apply the wrong techniques and features – the text won’t provide a platform from which you can show off your ability to extract and use detail from the original – even though there are only 5 marks for ‘Writing’, it’s important to get it right.

23. Marks for ReadingBand 1:13–15The answer reveals a thorough reading of the passage. A good range of ideas ismodified, developed and integrated into the answer, contributing to a strongsense of purpose and approach. Responses are consistentand sustained.Band 2:10–12There is evidence of a competent reading of the passage. Some of the ideas andfacts are developed, but the ability to sustain may not be consistent. Expect someattempt to integrate the material with occasional effectiveness. There is some supporting detail throughout.Band 3:7–9The passage has been read reasonably well, but the answer may not reflect therange and detail of the original. There may be evidence of a mechanical use of thepassage. There is focus on the task and satisfactory reference, but opportunitiesfor development are not always taken. Some supporting detail is used, but notconsistently. Ideas are simply formulated.

24. Marks for WritingBand 1:5The language has character and sounds convincing. Ideas are confidently expressed in a wide range of effective and/or interesting language. Sequence is soundthroughout.Band 2:4Language is mostly fluent and there is clarity of explanation. There is a sufficientrange of vocabulary to express ideas with some subtlety. Theresponse attempts to create character or appropriate voice. The answer is mainly well sequenced.Band 3:3Language is clear and appropriate, but comparatively plain, expressing littlecharacter. Individual points are rarely extended, but explanations are adequate.There may be flaws in the sequence.

25. You should, then, practise extracting relevant material, modify or adapt it and then employ the relevant featuresand techniques associated with the target text type you are asked to write in.

26. Here are some of the text types that you might be asked to produce:

27. Newspaper reportMagazine articleJournal entrySpeech / interview / debateReportFormal / informal letter

28. And here are some of the features you might like to consider when ‘empathetically converting’ your genre (!)…

29. StructureNarrative perspectiveTenseFormalityVocabularyTone

30. Past Paper Analysis

31. Do the examiners have a ‘favourite’ text type?

32. 2011 / 2010

33. 2011 / 2010

35. 2004-2011

36. The best strategy is to prepare for any eventuality!

37. Past Paper Questions

38. May / June 2011 (i)Imagine that you are the reporter, Rob Buchanan. You interview Dean Potter after the climb andask the following questions:• Incredible! How did you manage to climb the face so quickly?• How do you answer people who say that what you do is foolish?• Can you tell us about your relationship with your climbing partner, O’Neill?Write the words of the interview

39. May / June 2011 (ii)Imagine you work for the Ministry of Agriculture. You have been sent to conduct a second investigationas to whether there is large foreign cat activity on Bodmin Moor.Write a formal report on your findings.In your report, you should comment on:• what local people believe about the presence of a beast;• the lack of conclusive proof and the alternative theories;• your recommendations with reasons.

40. May / June 2011 (iii)Imagine that you are the old man in the final paragraphs (When we returned…after our visit).Write a letter to your sister, who lives in a different part of the country.In your letter, you should:• describe, in your own words, what has happened to the town;• express your thoughts and emotions about the past, present and future.

41. October / November 2010 (i)Imagine that shortly after the marriage service, Mrs Ferris-Grebe and Mrs Kougarhave their firstconversation together. Write the conversation that would take place.In the conversation you should explore:• their views on the wedding ceremony;• their feelings about the suitability of the marriage;• the differences between the two women and their families.

42. October / November 2010 (ii)Imagine a meeting between the writer and the town mayor to discuss the writer’s ideas for Rataia.Write the conversation that would take place.Include the views of both speakers on how the changes would affect:• the town;• the lives of the inhabitants;• the natural environment.

43. October / November 2010 (iii)Imagine you are a reporter investigating the cause of an infestation of mice that has occurred throughout the village of Malsam.Write your report for a national newspaper, using the headline: ‘Horror Plague Overwhelms Village. ’You should include the following:• the effects of the infestation on the villagers;• the attitudes of the villagers to the Duvall family;• the comments of the Duvall parents and children.

44. May / June 2010(i)Immediately after the sequences that you have just read about, Signor Alessandro gives a TV interview. The interviewer asks three questions:• Some people say you are an eccentric man whose behaviour is odd at times. Are they right?• Can you explain the unexpected happenings that took place at the beginning of your Beethoven concert?• Do you think that the time has come for you to retire from conducting?Write the words of the interview.

45. May / June 2010(ii)Imagine you are the writer’s friend, Lary. Write a letter to a member of your family after your visit to the gorilla sanctuary.In your letter you should:• make the chimps and gorillas sound interesting and lovable;• give your impressions of Mark and of Madame Yvette;• persuade your family to support the work of the sanctuary.

46. May / June 2010(iii)As a result of the dispute between neighbours, a public meeting has been called. At this meeting, in turn, the writer’s mother and the father next door are given the chance to present their views.The chairperson of the meeting asks the mother the following question:“Can you explain why you and other people in the neighbourhood believe that things have ‘gone too far’?”The chairperson of the meeting asks the father next door the following question:“Can you explain your position and views on this matter?”Write the words of the public meeting.

47. October / November 2009Imagine you are a schools inspector and you have recently visited the school described in Passage A. You are not pleased with what you have observed.Write your report, in which you:• outline and explain the reasons for your dissatisfaction;• make some recommendations to improve matters.

48. May / June 2009Imagine you are Aunt Pegg. After one week oflooking after the children, you write a letter to their parents in which you:• give your impressions of the children;• give an account of your progress with them so far;• tell your plans for the next week.

49. October / November 2008Imagine you are a reporter, writing from the area.Write the newspaper report which would have appeared a week after the eruption of Vesuvius.Use the following headline:Tragic death of respected Naval Commander:Eruption causes terror and destruction in Bay of Naples

50. May / June 2008Imagine that you are Donovan Webster. You are being interviewed for a television programmeabout your visit to Diudiu in Mongolia.Your interviewer asks the following questions:• Could you start by telling the viewers a little about Diudiu’s lifestyle?• What did you admire most about Diudiu?• How has your meeting with her made you consider your own life-style and values?Write the words of the interview.

51. October / November 2007Write a newspaper report using the headlines printed below.Base what you write closely on the reading material in Passage A.Lost family found alive and well − hours from deathDramatic rescue by fishermenInclude the following in your report, in any order you wish:• comments about the rescue made by some of the people involved• reference to what life on the Ednamair was like before the rescue took place• feelings experienced by the family and the Japanese crew