A2 LL - RECAST FORMATS - A BRIEF GUIDE

A LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
UNIT 3 TEXT PRODUCTION
RECASTING FORMATS GUIDE

Below is a table that includes a complete list of formats from the board. I have tried to be as specific and detailed as possible. However it is difficult being prescriptive about such an exercise as many language features are used across a range of recasting formats.

It might be best to consider what language features dominate in each recasting format.

Click here for a link to moodle where there are examples of the different genre formats you could be asked to write in the Section B question.

As part of your revision I strongly recommend you read / watch these examples and identify the main / typical language features used for each recasting format.

Remember that

Over 90% of the content you include in your recasting text must come from the source material.

Less than 10% should be made up material. New information must only be used to adapt the source text to the recast format, purpose, register and task.

The single most important invention you must include in your recasting text and synonyms of the key words and phrases from the source text. Synonyms are words that have the same meaning or very similar meaning to the key words or phrases in the source text.

Click here for a definition of tabloid journalism
Click here for a definition of broadsheet journalism
Click here for a brief US comparison between both broadsheet and tabloid newspapers

Conflict presented as contrasts is a really attractive way of


TASK

Identify at least one article from Cupcakes and Kalashnikovs for each type of article we have studied. These can be described as;  eye witness accounts, polemical writing, interviews, reviews, obituaries and discursive / investigative articles.

Identify and note key language features that dominate each of the different types of article studied.

RECAST GUIDE

FORMAT	KEY FEATURES
Letter	Generally two different types of letter. Personal or business. Use letter format - include addresses - salutations to introduce and conclude letter. Named addressee's use yours sincerely, unnamed addressee's use yours faithfully. Letter will require reference or title. Use series of structured paragraphs. Use appropriate register depending on task and audience.         Variety of syntax / grammatical features to suit audience, purpose genre · Lexis should link to register · Avoid literary features except for making very powerful points.   AUDIENCE PURPOSE GENRE  · Expect personal /formal register · Could be persuasive / informative /entertaining / instructional purpose · Could be general / specific group / named audience
Article –	·There are a variety of different articles we've discussed and studied. We've discussed, eye witness accounts, polemical, interviews, reviews, obituaries and discursive. Be prepared to adopt the most appropriate article format for your purpose and audience. However I'd expect any article to include a title and sub-heading. Many articles use sub-titles. Articles are normally structured and often include quotations from others - witnesses, experts. Consider whether the article is broadsheet or tabloid.         Formal – full range of syntax, simple, compound, complex – for broadsheet – simple, compound sentences for tabloid – both dominated by declaratives · Lexis appropriate to format tabloid / broadsheet – inclusive lexis · May include interview, short quotes from experts    AUDIENCE PURPOSE GENRE  · Will be generally formal / tabloid / journalese register · Will be informative / entertaining / could be persuasive purpose · Could be general adult, student, specific audience
Encyclopedia Entry	· Define term - simple and straightforward then give a broader definition - relating to the source text. Use examples to illustrate definitions  Encyclopaedias are generally objective and unbiased. However read the question carefully. Be prepared to write from a specific perspective. Be prepared to refer to speakers - give imaginary quotations or quotes from the source text itself. · Dominated by declaratives · Expect specific readership e.g. children · Lexis inclusive – technical terms explained · Grammar / syntax – formal    AUDIENCE PURPOSE GENRE  Will be formal register · Will be informative / entertaining / instructional purpose · Expect a general / specific audience
Radio Script	Consider using a monologue, dialogue - this may be in the form of a interview or use different presenters to fulfil different functions - or voice over. Radio scripts are not transcripts of spontaneous speech. They are highly crafted texts. Therefore I would not expect to find non-fluency features or other features of spontaneous speech in them. There should be an introduction, followed by the main body of the text. This may include a variety of techniques - such as quotations. There  will be a presenter- used to introduce the main topic of the ‘article’ or slot. And may also introduce a second guest speaker. For interviews a  simple structure seems to be a presenter acting as a questioner – these should be short open questions and a speaker giving detailed full answers. Most of the content will be incorporated in these answers. Most attention should be paid to the answers to questions. These should dominate. · Probably two contrasting speakers - variety · Syntax a variety of sentences will encourage readers. But the task will probably dictate the dominate sentence structures · Lexis will be simple and inclusive – define technical terms used · Probably present a thesis and counter argument · Will be conceptual – visual references will be minimal but concisely explained    AUDIENCE PURPOSE GENRE · Will be generally formal / tabloid /journalese register · Will be informative / entertaining / could be persuasive · Expect be general adult, student, specific audience   Example of an interview extract Presenter: Today we continue our series on women in politics. And here in the studio today we have Caroline Spelman a Conservative minister to tell us about her experiences. Hello Caroline. So how did it feel the first day you took your seat in the Commons? Caroline Spelman: Hello Judy well it was an incredible first day in the house. That first morning so many came over to congratulate me....
TV Script	· Probably two contrasting speakers - variety · Syntax probably dominated by simple declaratives / interrogatives · Lexis will be simple and inclusive - define technical terms used · Probably present a thesis and counter argument · Expect mixture of conceptual / visual references · Script will include concise visual aural details · Maybe used to introduce a topic   AUDIENCE PURPOSE GENRE  · Will be generally formal register / tabloid /journalese · Expect an informative / entertaining / persuasive purpose · Will be general adult, student, specific audience
Editorial	· Putting forward the attitudes, beliefs of the publication – newspaper / magazine – specific or general · Will include an argument and counter argument · Will use rhetorical devices · Probably a call to action   AUDIENCE PURPOSE GENRE  · Probably persuasive / opinionated, subjective purpose · Probably a general / specific audience · Mostly formal perhaps some informal words and phrases
Diary	· Personal writing / extended diary may be journal · Probably simple lexis, may contain non standard grammar,   AUDIENCE PURPOSE GENRE  · Informal register – may use short hand · Audience is personal · Probably to inform / entertain / advise /instruct / reflection purpose
Speech	· Direct address · Short simple sentences · May use imagery · Probably a range of rhetorical devices    AUDIENCE PURPOSE GENRE  · Informative / persuasive / entertaining · Specific / general audience · Generally formal register
Leaflet	· Will use headings and sub-headings · Probably will use a variety of narratives including case study, statistics, bullet points, Q&A, anecdote · Probably use persuasive writing and include a number of rhetorical features Will adopt a specific narrative perspective   AUDIENCE PURPOSE GENRE  · Maybe general / specific audience · Probably highlight a specific problem or area of concern · Formal register used, inclusive writing
Guide	·
Report	· Factual, structured, logical and rational writing · Will use headings and subheadings · Usually addresses specific problem, offers findings and possible solutions, · may call for specific action