Text Features
VC2E4LY08 · Literacy · Reading
identify the characteristic features used in different types of texts to meet the purpose and audience of the text
1. Learning goal
Parent-friendly goal:
Identify text features and explain how they suit purpose and audience.
2. What your child needs to know
- A persuasive text may use reasons, opinions and emotive words.
- An informative text may use facts, headings and diagrams.
- A narrative may use characters, setting, dialogue and plot.
3. Simple explanation
Text features are chosen for a reason. A poster for students looks different from an information report for adults.
Feature Purpose
4. Examples
Persuasive feature
You should join because it is fun and helpful.
Informative feature
Subheadings organise facts into sections.
5. Worked example
Link feature to purpose
- Name the text type.
- Find a feature.
- Ask what the feature helps the text do.
- Explain how it suits the audience.
6. Common mistakes
- Listing features without explaining their purpose.
- Confusing audience with topic.
- Missing visual features such as diagrams or bold headings.
7. Parent teaching tips
- Ask your child who the text is for and how they know.
- Use magazines, school notices and websites for quick feature hunts.
8. Quick practice
Which text type often uses reasons and opinions?
Answer: Persuasive text.
Persuasive writing tries to convince the reader.
Why do reports use subheadings?
Answer: To organise facts.
Subheadings help readers find information.
9. Extension challenge
Choose a text and create a two-column table: feature and purpose.