Language Use in Functional and Media Texts
What you must know
Functional and media texts are read and produced for a purpose. Learn the conventions of a formal letter (addresses, date, salutation, sign-off), an email (subject line, greeting, sign-off), an article (headline, opening hook, short paragraphs, perhaps subheadings), a leaflet (headings, direct address, bullet points), and a report (headings, findings, recommendations). Identify the audience and adjust tone accordingly. In media texts, examine headline language, wordplay, layout, captions, and the distinction between reported fact and editorial comment.
Traps
Candidates lose marks by using the wrong format: writing a story when an article is required, forgetting a subject line, or signing a formal letter 'love'. Tone errors matter too, such as slang in a complaint letter or contractions in a report. When reading, do not confuse a headline's claim with the article's evidence, because headlines often exaggerate. Check that any information you transfer matches the source exactly.
Worked example
Task: open a letter complaining about a delayed delivery. 'Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the delivery of my order (reference 4471), which arrived eleven days after the promised date.' Note the formal salutation, the purpose stated in the first line, and the specific detail: three conventions in two sentences.
Rule of thumb
Ask who will read it and what they need to do; format and tone follow from that answer.