GCSE English Language Revision Notes
Non-Fiction Text Types – English Language Examination
There are lots of different types of non-fiction writing. It’s important you know these different types so that you can recognise them and understand the different techniques they use. We have summarised some of these types of writing to help you to remember them for your essays and exams.
Non-fiction is writing which is based on reality and facts, not made up stories which we call ‘fiction’.
There are lots of different kinds of non-fiction, here are some you will know; magazine articles, reviews, letters, news, adverts, leaflets, features, essays, diaries, biographies and travel writing.
Some of these styles will use what we call ‘persuasive writing’, such as in adverts when they try to persuade you that you need a new pair of shoes or a certain face cream.
Some of this writing will be to inform you of something, like a news article explaining what is happening in the houses of parliament or a review of a new game or film.
Some will be written in a formal style and some will be informal. This will depend who the audience is. A letter to your boss or a post card to your best friend would be written differently for example.
In a diary or biography the story of someone’s life will be told. This is factual rather than the life of a made up fictional character.
Essays are pieces of writing setting out information or an argument based on factual evidence and the writer’s opinion on this topic.
Features and articles will be a mix of opinion and fact, it is up to you to work out if the writer/publisher has a motive and is being persuasive.
Check out our song on Non-fiction text types and make sure to do the quiz to test your knowledge. We have a whole host of songs to prepare you for the writing, reading and analysing components of your GCSE English Language songs, so take a look and see what is available here.
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