Cambridge English AS : Key Conventions

AS English Language: Overview of Key Conventions

1. Blogs

• Highly versatile: can be advisory, persuasive, personal.

• Direct address to reader; chatty, informal tone.

• Often share personal experiences or opinions.

• May use jargon for specific audiences.

• Structure: catchy headlines, subheadings, bullet points.

• Hyperlinks (invent your own) can add realism.

2. Autobiographies

• Written in first person.

• Focus on key life moments, dates, formative experiences.

• Uses anecdotes and reflective tone.

• Purpose: to share personal growth and insights.

3. Biographies

• Written in third person.

• Based on facts and anecdotes (may include quotes from others).

• Can be authorized or unauthorized.

• Purpose: to inform readers about a person’s life.

• Can include some bias depending on authorship.

4. Diaries & Journals

• First person, mostly past tense.

• Reflective: thoughts, feelings, personal insights.

• Diary: often begins with "Dear Diary," includes date.

• Journal: date only, may be slightly more public (not meant to be private, e.g., travel journal).

• Chronological order is common.

5. Interviews

• Shaped like a script/play.

• One speaker asks questions, the other responds in detail.

• First person, past tense.

• Includes facts, opinions, and feelings.

• Not a frequent exam form, but good to understand.

6. Podcasts

• Can be solo (first person) or conversational (like an interview).

• Tone varies: informal, informative, persuasive.

• May include jargon for specific audiences.

• Includes fillers like "um," "uh," for realism.

7. Letters

• Use appropriate salutation and sign-off:

  • Dear Sir/Madam → Yours faithfully

  • Dear Mr/Ms (known) → Yours sincerely

  • To family/friends → Love or Best wishes

• Purpose stated in the opening paragraph.

• Tone depends on the recipient (informal to formal).

• Stick to paragraph structure and direct purpose.

8. Speeches

• Designed to be spoken aloud: engage the audience.

• Persuasive, discursive, or informative.

  • Persuasive: trying to convince the audience. Discursive: exploring different sides of an issue or debate. Informative: simply providing information or explanations.

• Use a range of rhetorical devices (A FOREST):

  • Anecdotes, Facts, Opinions, Rhetorical questions, Emotive language, Statistics, Triples.

• Strong opening and closing.

• Discourse markers ("Firstly," "In conclusion") help structure.

9. News Reports

• Based on the 5 Ws: Who, What, Where, When, Why (and sometimes How).

• Use direct (quotes) and indirect (paraphrased quotes) speech.

• May be personal or detached.

• Short paragraphs for readability.

• Objective tone, factual information.

10. Magazine Articles

• Exploratory and informative.

• First person or third person.

• Tone depends on the audience: informal to semi formal.

• Present tense for main content, past/future tense as needed.

• Use of anecdotes and background info.

11. Formal Reports

• Highly structured and formal.

• Chronological or topic-based organization.

• Concise, factual, direct.

• Few language devices.

• May include quotations or survey results.

12. Advertisements

• Strong persuasive purpose.

• Figurative language (similes, metaphors), rhetorical devices.

• Direct address to reader.

• Imperatives: "Buy now!", "Don’t miss out!"

• Headings, slogans, and a clear call to action.

• Varied sentence and paragraph structures.

13. Brochures & Leaflets

• Structured layout: headings, subheadings, short & long paragraphs.

• May be promotional or informative.

• Includes contact info, slogans, logos.

• Descriptive and engaging language.

• Used in shorter writing tasks.

14. Travelogues

• Personal accounts of travel experiences.

• First person, chatty tone.

• Descriptive: rich imagery and figurative language.

• Purpose: to inform, inspire, or entertain.

• Can include travel tips.

15. Websites

• Headings and subheadings are key.

• Audience and purpose vary widely.

• May be informative, persuasive, or advisory.

• Use of hyperlinks (imagined) adds realism.

• May include jargon or technical terms.

16. Narratives

• Must have a clear plot (beginning, middle, end).

• Avoid cliché openings (e.g., "I woke up...").

• Use vivid settings and well-developed characters.

• Dialogue must advance character or plot.

• 2 settings max; describe them in detail.

• Use figurative language and narrative techniques (e.g., flashback, cyclical structure).

17. Descriptive Writing

• Not a story; focus on sensory details.

• Each paragraph zooms in on a detail.

• Use the five senses.

• Rich imagery and figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, etc.).

• Structure for effect: vary paragraph and sentence lengths.

Glossary of Key Terms:

• Register – The level of formality in a text, determined by the audience and purpose. (e.g., formal, informal, semi formal).

• Discourse markers – Words or phrases used to guide the reader through a text (e.g., "Firstly," "However," "In conclusion").

• Structural devices – Techniques that shape the structure of a text, such as headings, subheadings, paragraphs, lists, flashbacks, and cyclical structures.

  • Headings and subheadings (to guide the reader)

  • Bullet points or numbered lists (for clarity or emphasis)

  • Short paragraphs (to create pace or highlight information)

  • Dialogue or stage directions (in interviews/scripts)

  • Chronological or cyclical structure (especially in narratives)

  • Openings and conclusions (designed to engage or summarize)

  • Discourse markers like "Firstly," "However," or "In conclusion"

• Language devices – Techniques that enhance language and create effect, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, rhetorical questions, emotive language, and more.

• Triples – A rhetorical device where three words or ideas are listed together for impact (e.g., "Life, liberty, and happiness").