Mastering Textual Forms: Your Guide to Paper 2 Success (9093)

Welcome! This chapter is the foundation of high marks in Paper 2 Writing. Why? Because writing effectively isn't just about good grammar—it's about knowing the rules of the game for every text type, whether you’re crafting a snappy advertisement or a serious investigative report.

We’re going to explore the established expectations, or conventions, of the wide range of written texts listed in your syllabus. Mastering these conventions is what the Assessment Objective 2 (AO2) demands: writing appropriately for a specified form, purpose, and audience.

What is a Textual Convention?

A textual convention is simply an expected feature that readers rely on. Think of it like a uniform. If you see someone in a chef's hat (the uniform/convention), you immediately know their function (purpose) and where they belong (context).

If you write a news story that looks like a diary entry, the reader will be confused. Your job in Paper 2 is to nail the *uniform* of the chosen text form.

Section 1: The Core Principles – F.A.P.

Every piece of writing you produce in Paper 2 must be driven by three interconnected elements: Form, Audience, and Purpose (F.A.P.).

1. Form (The What)

The form is the type of text you are writing. Is it an editorial? A travel brochure? A personal letter? The form dictates the general structure and layout.

2. Audience (The Who)

The audience is the intended reader. Identifying the audience helps you determine the correct tone, level of formality, and specific vocabulary (lexis) to use.

  • Example: Writing for experts requires jargon (technical language). Writing for the general public requires accessible, plain language.
3. Purpose (The Why)

The purpose is the intended effect on the reader. Is your text meant to Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Argue, or Describe?

  • Memory Aid: Remember the P.I.E.D.A. framework: Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Describe, Argue.

Key Takeaway: Before writing a single word, establish your F.A.P. If the prompt asks you to write a *persuasive leaflet aimed at teenagers*, the conventions must match all three criteria.

Section 2: Deconstructing Conventions – Structure and Language

Conventions fall into two main categories that you must control to score highly on AO2:

1. Structural/Text-Level Conventions

This covers the physical layout and organisation of the text. This is often the first thing the examiner notices.

  • Layout and Presentation: Does it use columns (like a news story) or is it continuous prose (like an essay)? Does it need a masthead or specific address formats?
  • Headings and Subheadings: Are they present? Are they formal (like in investigative journalism) or attention-grabbing (like in a blog)?
  • Paragraph Structuring: Is it highly logical, with topic sentences and evidentiary logic (critical writing), or does it flow more descriptively (narrative writing)?
  • Use of Non-verbal Elements: This includes bullet points, pull quotes, captions, and numbered lists (common in brochures or how-to articles).
2. Linguistic Conventions (Style and Tone)

This covers the specific language choices (lexis, grammar, and rhetoric).

  • Formality: Is the tone highly formal (an editorial) or informal/colloquial (a blog post)?
  • Lexis (Vocabulary): Does the text use emotive language (persuasion), factual data (investigative journalism), or sensory detail (descriptive writing)?
  • Grammar and Syntax: Does the text favour short, impactful sentences (advertising) or long, complex sentences (academic essay)?
  • Rhetorical Devices: Does it heavily rely on rhetorical questions, triplets, or statistics (argumentative texts)?

Quick Review: You must ensure the text *looks* right (Structure) and *sounds* right (Language).

Section 3: Essential Text Forms and Their Conventions (Paper 2 Examples)

The syllabus mentions a large variety of texts. We can group these to make learning the conventions easier. Remember, you must be able to replicate these features accurately (Q1a and Section B).

Group A: The Persuaders (Advertisements, Brochures, Leaflets)

These forms primarily share the purpose of *persuasion* or *promotion*.

Convention Checklist:
  • Purpose: Sell a product, service, or idea; inform about an event; encourage action.
  • Tone: Enthusiastic, positive, upbeat, direct, sometimes urgent.
  • Structural Features: Often use a prominent slogan or headline; utilize subheadings to break information; heavy use of visual elements (though you only describe these in writing); contact information/Call to Action (CTA).
  • Linguistic Features:
    • Frequent use of superlatives ("the best," "most luxurious").
    • Use of imperative verbs for the CTA ("Buy now!", "Visit today!").
    • Use of second-person direct address (you, your) to build connection.
    • Use of alliteration or puns for memorability.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Making the tone too formal. Persuasive writing needs energy and immediacy.

Group B: The Informers (News Stories, Articles, Editorials, Investigative Journalism)

These forms focus on conveying information, often in a structured and factual manner, but they differ significantly in objectivity.

1. News Story Conventions (Objective)
  • Structure: Inverted Pyramid (most important information first—the who, what, when, where, known as the lead or lede paragraph).
  • Tone: Neutral, objective, formal. Use of third person.
  • Language: Factual lexis, use of reported speech and direct quotations from sources.
  • Context: Must include a date line and location.
2. Editorial/Article Conventions (Subjective/Opinion)
  • Purpose: To express the publication's or writer's strong opinion, often about a current event.
  • Tone: Authoritative, forceful, often rhetorical.
  • Structure: Clear argumentative structure (thesis in the introduction, arguments supported by evidence, strong concluding statement).
  • Language: Highly evaluative lexis, rhetorical devices, and often the use of modality (language of certainty/possibility, e.g., must, should, certainly).

Group C: The Reflectors (Diaries, Letters, (Auto)biographies, Blogs)

These forms prioritize personal voice, reflection, and connection with the reader.

1. Diary/Journal Conventions
  • Purpose: Personal reflection, record keeping, emotional processing.
  • Tone: Highly informal, confidential, stream of consciousness.
  • Structural Features: Dated entries (essential); often includes greetings/salutations to the diary itself ("Dear Diary...").
  • Language: Frequent use of first person (I, my, me); use of colloquial language and potentially sentence fragments; emphasis on internal thoughts/feelings.
2. Blog Conventions
  • Purpose: Share experiences, offer opinions, build community.
  • Tone: Conversational, informal, enthusiastic, personal, but often designed for public consumption (unlike a diary).
  • Structural Features: Eye-catching title; short paragraphs; use of subheadings or lists; clear sign-offs; interactive elements (e.g., asking readers questions).
  • Language: Use of internet-specific lexis (net-speak); direct address to the reader; strong individual voice.

Did you know? Scripted speech (like a podcast script) requires a very clear structure using speaker tags and stage directions or paralinguistic instructions (e.g., [Laughter], [Slight pause]) to guide the delivery.

Group D: The Creators (Narrative, Descriptive, Essays)

These forms focus on stylistic control and sustained structure (often used in Paper 2, Section B).

1. Descriptive Writing Conventions
  • Purpose: To create a vivid sensory experience for the reader.
  • Structure: Organised spatially (moving from one location to another) or chronologically.
  • Language: Heavy reliance on imagery (similes, metaphors, personification); dominance of adjectives and adverbs; focus on sensory language (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste).
2. Narrative Writing Conventions
  • Purpose: To tell a story and engage the reader emotionally.
  • Structure: Often follows a traditional narrative arc (e.g., Freytag's Pyramid: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution).
  • Language: Use of dialogue (with correct punctuation); control of tense (usually past tense); clear use of narrative perspective (first or third person); pace control (slowing down for description, speeding up for action).
3. Essay/Critical Writing Conventions

Used for discursive, argumentative, or review/critical tasks.

  • Purpose: Present a balanced argument, evaluate evidence, or critically review a subject.
  • Structure: Highly formal and logical; clear introduction (with thesis); balanced body paragraphs (juxtaposing counterarguments, using evidentiary logic); comprehensive conclusion.
  • Language: Formal tone; academic lexis; use of transitional phrases (discourse markers: "Furthermore," "Conversely," "In conclusion").

Section 4: Paper 2 Application Tips (AO2 and AO3)

In Paper 2, you are assessed on two key things relating to conventions:

  1. AO2 (Writing): Your ability to produce the text (Q1a and Section B) using appropriate conventions.
  2. AO3 (Analysis): Your ability to explain *why* you chose those conventions (Q1b Reflective Commentary).
Tip 1: Make your choices deliberate

Every structural and linguistic choice must be justifiable. If you choose to use a rhetorical question in an editorial, you must be able to say in your commentary (Q1b): "I used a rhetorical question in the opening paragraph to directly challenge the reader and establish an aggressive, polemic tone, appropriate for the editorial form."

Tip 2: Visualise the text

Even though you are only writing, imagine what the text would look like physically. If it's a leaflet, use bullet points and bold headings to show clear organisation. If it's a letter, make sure the addresses and date are correctly formatted.

Tip 3: Focus on Voice and Tone

The biggest difference between text types is often the voice.

  • A *news reporter* has a detached voice.
  • A *diarist* has a confidential voice.
  • A *travel writer* has an evocative, enthusiastic voice.

Ensure your modality (the certainty of your statements) and lexis align perfectly with this voice.

Quick Checklist for Paper 2 Writing

Before submitting, ask yourself:
1. F.A.P. Check: Did I meet the specified Form, Audience, and Purpose?
2. Structural Check: Does the layout immediately signal the correct text type (e.g., clear headline for a news article, dated entries for a diary)?
3. Linguistic Check: Is the tone and vocabulary suitable for the target audience (e.g., highly technical or highly informal)?

You’ve got this! By treating conventions as rules you must master, you ensure your writing is not only beautiful but also perfectly suited to the task.