What is text?
Historically, ‘text’ referred to the printed words on a page and the actual words of a speaker or writer.
As technology developed, the term ‘text’ widened to include words and content on websites and social media as well as text messages. People now even refer to film, art, photographs and symbols (such as emojis) as texts even though they use images rather than words to convey meaning.
Non-fiction texts tend to have specific purposes, for example to inform, instruct, entertain or persuade. They are often created for specific readers or audiences, for example, adults or teenagers, experts or beginners, local or international readers. A text aimed at children is likely to be different in both language and layout to a text aimed at adults.
Different types of texts
Each type of text has its own writing conventions and language which shapes its length, format, tone and content. Look at the following three types of non-fiction texts, and think how they might differ to suit their intended audience and purpose.
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