Cambridge English AS : Key Conventions

Blog

A highly versatile writing form that can be advisory, persuasive, or personal, typically with a direct, informal tone.

Autobiography

A first-person account focusing on key life moments and personal growth.

Biography

A third-person account based on facts and anecdotes about a person’s life.

Diaries

A first-person account reflecting thoughts and feelings, often beginning with 'Dear Diary.'

Journals

A personal record that's more public than a diary, usually containing dates and less personal content.

Interviews

A written format resembling a script where one person asks questions and the other answers.

Podcast

An audio format that can be solo or conversational, with varying tones and fillers like 'um' for realism.

Letter

Written communication with a structured format including salutation and sign-off, tone varies by recipient.

Speech

Designed to be spoken aloud, engaging the audience using persuasive or informative elements.

News Report

A factual account based on the 5 Ws (Who, What, Where, When, Why) with a focus on objectivity.

Magazine Article

An exploratory piece that may use first or third person and adapts tone depending on the audience.

Formal Report

A highly structured document organized chronologically or by topic, focusing on concise, factual information.

Advertisement

A persuasive communication employing figurative language and direct address to the reader.

Brochure

A promotional or informative document with a structured layout and engaging language.

Travelogue

A personal narrative of travel experiences, typically rich in descriptive language.

Website

An online platform characterized by headers, subheaders, and varying purposes like informative or persuasive.

Narrative

A structured story with a clear plot, avoiding clichés and focusing on vivid settings.

Descriptive Writing

Writing that emphasizes sensory details and rich imagery, structuring paragraphs for effect.

Register

The level of formality in a text determined by audience and purpose.

Discourse Markers

Words or phrases that guide the reader through a text, like 'Firstly' or 'In conclusion.'

Structural Devices

Techniques shaping a text's structure, including headings and bullet points.

Language Devices

Techniques enhancing language effect, like simile and rhetorical questions.

Triples

A rhetorical device listing three words or ideas together for impact.