Writing: Transactional and Functional Texts
Transactional and Functional Texts tests writing for a real purpose and audience: letters, reports, speeches, notices, minutes, applications and emails.
Core rules
- Decide purpose and audience before writing; register follows.
- Learn the layout of each text:
- Formal letter: sender's address, date, recipient's address, salutation, heading, body, closing, signature.
- Report: title, terms of reference, procedure, findings, recommendations, signature.
- Speech: greeting, attention-grabbing opening, three points, memorable close.
- Notice: heading, date, time, place, contact, short lines.
- Use formal vocabulary and full forms in formal texts; avoid contractions and slang.
- One idea per paragraph; state the purpose in the first two lines.
Worked example
Task: write to the Regional Director of Education about a shortage of Rumanyo textbooks at your school. A strong opening states purpose and evidence: 'I write to report that our school has one Rumanyo textbook for every eight learners.' Then give the effect on learning, a clear request, and a polite close. A weak answer opens with 'Hi' and never states what is wanted.
Traps
- Wrong format for the text type.
- Mixing formal and informal register.
- No clear purpose statement.
- Forgetting date, signature or contact details.
- Long, unstructured paragraphs.