On this post, I will list as many genres as I can think of with sensible conventions that you should try to include if these genres come up. I will keep adding to this post as I think of different genres, so check back regularly.
Short stories
Clear plot arc; characterisation of protagonists/antagonists through adverb/movement/adjectives; aptronyms; symbolic use of setting; descriptive language and modifiers throughout; multisensory descriptions; feelings/emotions; Third person may be simpler as a narrative style.
Monologues
Clear individual voice for character; stage directions to set scene; embedded stage directions to add tone; setting may be important; honest and confessional tone; some non-fluency features for effect; aptronyms; fade to black/scene change. movements and actions denoted by minor stage directions.
Reviews
Opinionated and decisive tone; likens product to other products to show experience; use of humour; uses statistics to support opinions; mixed register (sometimes very formal, followed by very informal for comic effect); hyperbole and exaggeration; very descriptive; does not give things away that could ruin the subject; gives ratings.
Guide to a place
Sometimes imperative tone 'take a walk along the sandy beach and enjoy...'; sometimes interrogative to show choice, 'why not try one of our local...?'; uses proper nouns and place names to help show you around; makes suggestions and gives options; informs about the place giving factual information; provides historical facts where relevant; separates text into sections which all deal with a different practical element, 'what to do', 'how to find us', etc.
Guide to a product
Imperative tone; technical information about product; hyperbole and exaggeration to describe features; excited mood throughout and a suggestion the product will improve your quality of life; direct address; helplines/customer service information etc.
Magazine articles
Catchy headline, sometimes using puns/rhymes or maybe even just a sensationalist 'my babysitter ran off with my dog' type declarative; subheading to add more context and information to the piece; opening paragraphs will hint at issue but not give too much away as readers will then be encouraged to read on; paragraphs often topped with their own subheading such as 'the truth behind the lies' or 'the grim reality' or 'life after the surgery'; will contain an exaggerated and hyperbolic narrative style, and incorporate quotations from people concerned with the story. DO NOT PUT PICTURES IN OR WRITE IN COLUMNS.
Travel writing
Written in present tense, e.g. 'As we approach the pyramid itself, I am filled with a sense of wonder.' You must maintain tense throughout; gives factual and historical information (make this up, obviously); lots of descriptive detail; reflective and emotive account, often reflecting the idea that the experience has affected the writer somehow; an honest summary, often mixing negative and positive aspects of the experience; multisensory and emotive descriptions; NOT written to persuade - focus is on reflection, informing and entertainment.
Persuasive leaflet
Lots of emotive language; use of anecdote for one paragraph to illustrate point or need for support 'take poor Timmy for example...'; lots of direct address and rhetorical questions; lots of descriptive detail; clear suggestions of how your support will help; cloaked and polite imperatives; will cater to negative face needs of reader.
Newspaper article
In all seriousness, go and have a look at a few and see how they look. Catchy/entertaining headline; subheading which expands slightly on the story at hand; opening paragraph or two which outline the main basic facts of the story to entice the reader, but without giving any complex details away; a formal account of how the events unfolded; responses from public; quotes from witnesses and experts; writer's name at end of article.
Blog
Informal tone; a sense that this is one post in an ongoing work - may refer to previous posts 'as I've stated before' or future posts 'in tomorrow's section, I will..'; speaks to'followers' and 'friends' directly; informative and entertaining; uses of humour whilst still conveying information; each individual blog post has its own title and a date stamp.
Dramatic script
Very similar to blog conventions except each individual speaker should have their name written in capitals in the left hand margin; speakers rarely overlap unless to show tension; stage directions at start of scene should outline who is present and where they are/what they are doing; will often start relaxed and build in tension as scenes progress; tension hinted at through structure of dialogue and subtle embedded stage directions.
Radio drama
A very unusual genre but it is exactly what it sounds like - a drama for radio airing. Because of this, you'll need to ensure ALL stage directions are SOUND BASED. 'Sounds of typing, traffic coming through an open window, the sound of glasses clinking together' etc. Put them at the start of each scene AND embed them wherever necessary. Remember, the audience can't see ANYTHING. This must be reflected in your writing. Often scenes will be much faster moving than a stage drama to keep the interest of listeners, so scene breaks will be short and frequent, demarcates by their own set of brief opening stage directions. Other than this, follow conventions of a dramatic script.
Podcast
Another very unusual genre. A podcast is a downloadable short broadcast which informs on a particular topic in an entertaining way; often take the form of a scripted conversation where two speakers pretend to be spontaneous, but without the stutters and interruptions; speakers will often have hilariously contrasting personalities e.g. One may be immature and act a bit bored or impatient, asking lots of questions about the issue whereas the other one may be sensible and informative. By using this structure, the writer is able to deliver specific information on a topic by entertaining the listening audience through a manufactured conversation. If you want to see a good scripted example, look at the UFO podcast on this link...
https://issuu.com/marshdalek/docs/gce-langlit-voices-anthology
Diary entry
Very personal tone; first person perspective; written in immediate past tense; confessional and reflective content; will catalogue events in chronological order using adverbials; lots of descriptive detail; feelings and emotions included; critical voice; written not be read by others; date at the top of each individual entry; will talk about effect of experiences.
Letter
Writer's name and address in top right; start with 'Dear Sir/ Madam' unless you know their name; sign off with 'yours sincerely' if you know their name or 'yours faithfully' if you don't; separate paragraphs by topic or subject.
Remember these basic rules...
We don't know that the above genres will come up, but similar ones will. Whatever happens, remember three basic rules: remain calm, be sensible and be decisive.
And READ THE TASK CAREFULLY! You can throw away marks on this by not doing exactly what it asks. If it tells you to write an INTRO write and intro, not a whole story. If it says to write a SERIES of diary entries, then write a series, not just one. Fairly simple, but an easy way to mess it up.
Be careful and good luck!
Nick
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