Writing 101: A guide to Selective Test writing text types
The writing section of the Selective Test is one of the most nerve racking sections for a lot of students. Unlike other sections, it can be hard to predict what kind of question you’ll be asked in terms of the text type or the subject matter. Despite these challenges, it can be easy to ace the writing section with the correct preparation. This blog post details common text types the Selective Test can ask you to write about, a cheat sheet on structuring and writing Selective Test pieces, and some other Alpha One tips for students.
The Text Types
Selective Test writing questions contain two parts. One of these will determine the subject matter or topic of the writing piece either in writing or image form. The other will dictate what text type to write. For example, in the 2024 Selective Test, the subject was about animals on the loose and the text type students had to write was a newspaper article. In this section, we will detail each of these text types and how to approach them.
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Advertisements promote a product, place, experience, or other goods to a reader with the intention of encouraging the reader to buy or visit the good/place. Because they promote products and aim to convince readers, advertisements are characterised by language with positive connotations and high modality.
These take the structure of introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Advertisement introductions need to:
Engage with the audience (often through a rhetorical question or exciting statement)
Introduce the product’s name, purpose, and a suggestion that the reader should buy it
Briefly list its best three qualities
Advertisement body paragraphs each focus on a different characteristic of the product or experience, and convince audiences why this makes the product worth buying. Each paragraph needs to:
Have a strong topic sentence naming the characteristic of the product that the paragraph will discuss, and how that connects to why readers should buy it.
A brief explanation on how this characteristic works or what it is
Some examples or further details on the characteristic
A link back to how this characteristic makes it a good product
Advertisement conclusions need to summarise the positive qualities of the product, and reinforce to audiences that they should buy it. They need to:
Reintroduce the product and its purpose
Restate the positive characteristics you’ve discussed
Reinforce that audiences should buy the product and why it will benefit them
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Advice sheets provide tips and tricks relevant to the specified situation to help readers navigate difficult situations. Since they contain advice to navigate situations, they typically contain a series of chronological steps to follow, with other tips and tricks throughout.
These take the structure of introduction, three chronological body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Introductions for an advice sheet need to address your intended audience and show that you relate to the situation they are in. They need to:
Address the audience and situation with the appropriate emotion and empathy
List the three chronological steps you plan to guide them through to navigate the situation
Reassure audiences that following these steps will get them through the situation (and specify what the best outcome is)
Advice sheet body paragraphs each need to discuss a different step the reader needs to take, and they need to present these steps in chronological order. Body paragraphs need to:
Introduce the step and its connection to the overall situation in a clear topic sentence
Explain different actions that need to be done in this step
Support these different actions with examples
Connect these actions and the overall step to how it will help readers navigate the situation they are in
Advice sheet conclusions summarise the steps and overall reassure the audience. They need to:
Restate the situation and address the intended audience
Summarise each step you’ve advised them to take
Reassure the audience that if they follow these steps that they will achieve the desired outcome and what this outcome is
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Diary entries are a personal writing form that explore events from a single day in the writer’s life, and how these events have affected them. Due to the personal nature of diary entries, they contain a lot of reflection and emotion, and are written for the author themselves rather than an audience. Additionally, these emotions and reflections are what separates them from a recount.
These take the structure of introduction, three chronological body paragraphs, and a reflective conclusion.
Introductions for diary entries introduce the events and set the overall tone of the entry. They need to:
Start with “Dear diary” or some other opening
State the topic of the diary entry, sometimes including a date, or the overall event of the day
Introduce three smaller events of the day
Introduce what emotions and lessons the protagonist has experienced as a result of these events
Body paragraphs for diary entries need to go through the events of the day chronologically. Each one needs to:
Follow an event from the day (organised chronologically)
Discuss how the character feels about the events
Make sure the description of the event matches the emotion. For example, if the event was sad, don’t describe the sunny weather as this contrasts the emotional tone
Can include interjections of what the character was thinking in the moment
Conclusions for diary entries need to briefly summarise the events and feelings, but more importantly they evaluate the experience. They need to:
Summarise the events
Reinforce thoughts and feelings of the character
Detail what the character has learned from the events, and how these events will affect them in the future or change their future actions
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Discussions examine an issue, and include arguments that are both ‘for’ and ‘against’ the issue, before finally deciding on which perspective is correct. This text type aims to present the issue in an objective manner, and so they try to present ideas in a neutral way before finally deciding on a side.
These take the structure of introduction, three body paragraphs in a for-against-for OR against-for-against pattern, and conclusion.
Introductions for discussions need to introduce the topic and the two sides of the debate that are discussed. They need to:
Grab the reader’s attention
Introduce the topic in a way that shows why it is an important topic. Why do people care about it? What impact and significance does the issue have?
Introduce the two perspectives you talk about (this is typically for and against the topic).
Body paragraphs for discussions need to discuss both sides of the argument. Typically there are three paragraphs, with two paragraphs supporting the argument you finally decide on, and one paragraph supporting the argument you eventually decide against. These are organised in alternating perspectives. Each paragraph needs to:
Have a strong topic sentence that says what the argument in this body paragraph is, and which perspective it relates to
Explain the argument by breaking it down into three sub points, using cause and effect to demonstrate how the issue creates certain results
Use examples and statistics where possible
Link back to the topic sentence and overall perspective, emphasising why this point was an important one
Conclusions for discussions decide on one side of the argument to agree with. They need to:
Reintroduce the topic and the two perspectives.
Choose one side to agree with. Remember, it will be the side that has two body paragraphs dedicated to it.
Explain why that side is superior.
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Guides give ideas and suggestions to readers on ways they can approach a situation. The recommendations provided in a guide therefore contain pieces of advice and different options for how to navigate a situation. They differ from advice sheets as they do not present chronological steps to follow, and they are less persuasive.
These take the structure of introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Introductions for a guide need to address your intended audience and introduce the topic. It should:
Address the audience and topic of the guide that you are guiding them through
Name your three suggestions on actions your audience can take
Inform your audience what the outcome of following these steps would be
Body paragraphs for a guide need to take your audience through one suggestion at a time. They each need to:
Clearly introduce what aspect of the topic you are giving suggestions on, and what the main suggestion is
Provide 3 different sub suggestions under this idea using examples if possible
Make sure the suggestions are actionable. Don’t just tell your audience to enjoy themselves, give them suggestions of activities they can do that will result in them enjoying themselves
Reinforce why these suggestions are beneficial
Guide conclusions summarise the different suggestions and reiterate why the audience should listen to your suggestions. They should:
Restate the topic and address the intended audience
Summarise each suggestion you’ve given
Reassure the audience that if they follow these suggestion that they will achieve the desired outcome, making sure you specify what this outcome is
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Letters are a form of correspondence, with different types: personal, informal, and formal. Each of these have different audiences and styles, but a similar structure. If faced with a letter, it is important to identify the type of letter, the audience of the letter, and the aim of the letter to write effectively.
Letters take the structure of date, greeting, introduction, three body paragraphs, conclusion, and sign-off.
Introductions for letters need to address the recipient and introduce the subject of the letter. They should:
Start with the date
Address the recipient with an appropriate greeting for the formality of the letter
Depending on the letter, ask the recipient some questions about how they are
Introduce the purpose of the letter and the three things you will talk about as part of the topic
Letter body paragraphs need to divide the content of the letter into three parts to suit the purpose and type of letter. They should:
Introduce a new focus through a clear topic sentence. For personal letters, these new focuses can just be different ideas you want to talk about. For more formal or persuasive letters, each paragraph needs to introduce a new argument supporting your overall point.
Have 3 sub points that relate to the topic of the paragraph. For personal letters, you can include questions and indications that you know the recipient such as referring to past events together. For persuasive or formal letters, using examples and statistics can help.
Link back to your overall intention at the end
Letter conclusions need to conclude the topic and sign off. They need to:
Restate the purpose of the letter
Summarise what was discussed
If it is a personal letter, leave some comments and questions for the recipient. If it is a formal or persuasive letter, state your call to action on what you want the recipient to do.
Sign off with your name
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Narratives or creatives take the form of stories or other creative ideas presented to the audience. These are an opportunity for you to think creatively and explore different ideas. The hardest part of these is to make them mature - including extended metaphors, symbols, and having a message or lesson to your creative can help boost your marks here.
These take the structure of orientation, series of events, and resolution or other ending. Below is some more information on what each of these should include. Narratives can be more creative in their presentation. While they must have these elements, they can be broken up across paragraphs creatively.
Narratives must have an orientation. Overall this needs to:
Introduce the main character or two, including who they are, and their personalities
Establish the situation they are in
Narratives also need a complication, or a series of events to occur. In these, there must be:
A chronological series of events
Have a clear source of tension
Typically this is where a stimulus is addressed or included
Resolutions are the end of narratives. They need to:
Resolve at least some of the tension in the narrative
Demonstrate growth in the characters
Language notes:
Using figurative language drastically improves narrative and creative writing. Particularly the inclusion of metaphors and symbols will boost your marks
Using narrative features and structures such as direct dialogue from characters will improve your creative writing. Remember, all dialogue occurs as its own paragraph
It is best not to cover too much time within a creative. Instead of trying to write about a whole day’s worth of events, narrow down your scope to a few hours, and focus on detail and figurative devices
Make creatives realistic. In a Selective Test, you rarely have time to build an entire new world. Try to set your creatives in the real world, and make them more mature by having characters with emotional development
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News reports inform the public on current events that may affect them, as would be presented in a newspaper. These can exist on three different levels - local, national, and international - and so it is important to identify which level is relevant to your news report so that you write for the appropriate audience.
These take the structure of headline, lead paragraph, series of events, and future actions. Below is some more information on what each of these should include.
News reports must start with a headline. It needs to:
Be catchy if possible through rhyme, alliteration, or puns
Give some indication on what the report is about
Can also be followed by a byline which elaborates slightly if the event is not clear in the headline
News reports then have a lead paragraph. It needs to:
Be concise
Provide all and only the important parts of the story. For example, the location, the event, and any major consequences
News reports then contain three body paragraphs. These each need to:
Focus on a different part of the story. This can be the events leading up to it, what happened in the actual event, and what actions were taken afterwards
Each part of the story needs to have 3 sub points to it
If possible, it is good to include quotes from eyewitnesses to the event, or emergency forces involved
News reports conclude with a tail paragraph. This needs to:
Inform readers on what the current state of the event is
Discuss ongoing effects of the event
Give readers actions they can take in relation to the event
Tell readers where they can find more information, typically in the form of a website.
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Persuasives aim to convince your audience to agree with you on the given subject. Their persuasive nature means that it is important to focus on using high modality and using lots of evidence and examples to prove your argument.
These take the structure of introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Introductions for persuasives need to:
Introduce your argument
Briefly introduce your three points supporting this argument
Body paragraphs for persuasive contain your actual argumentation. They each need to:
Start with a clear, one sentence introduction of the argument in that paragraph.
Explain this argument by adding details to what the point is, and how it works using cause and effect. There should be 3 sub points overall
Add evidence to the argument through examples, quotes, and statistics
Link back to the overall argument of the piece
Conclusions for persuasive need to:
Restate your overall argument
Reiterate your reasons for supporting this argument
Provide a call to action by telling audiences what they should do after reading the persuasive
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Reviews evaluate both the positive and negative qualities of a product/experience/place and provide a recommendation to audiences on who the product is suited to, and if it is worth buying or going to. The clear recommendations are really important for this text type, as are presenting objective facts about the product, and they can include a rating at the end.
These take the structure of introduction, three body paragraphs, and recommendation.
Review introductions need to:
Introduce the product/good/place/service you are reviewing
Introduce three characteristics of the product that you will discuss in detail
Give an overall recommendation related to if the audience should buy the product, and who it is suited to
The body paragraphs of a review each discuss a different aspect of the product. Stronger reviews often review both positive and negative aspects of the product, typically in a positive-positive-negative or negative-negative-positive structure. Each body paragraph needs to:
Clearly identify what characteristic of the product is being reviewed in the paragraph, and if it is a good or bad quality
Have three sub points supporting this quality being good or bad, including specific examples. Specificity is very important in a high quality review
Directly indicate what kind of person will benefit/not benefit from this aspect of the product, and use cause and effect to explain why
Link to your overall opinion of the product
Conclusions of reviews need to sum up your opinions. They need to:
Reintroduce the product
Restate the qualities and if their overall positive or negative effect on the product
Provide a recommendation on if audiences should buy the product. Stronger responses will have a more nuanced recommendation that specifies which readers should buy a product and which readers may not want to buy a product
You can also end the review with a rating out of 5 for the product
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Speeches are possibly the trickiest text type in the Selective Test as they are a written text type designed to be said out loud. These can either be persuasive or informative, and so the question itself may mirror a different text type. To write this text type, first identify the purpose of the speech before starting the speech so that you use the appropriate modality and language features.
These take the structure of introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Speech introductions need to hook audiences since they are supposed to be spoken. They must include:
A hook of some kind to grab audiences attention. This can be a short anecdote or a series of rhetorical questions for example.
Introduce the topic
Briefly outline the main things you will talk about
If the speech is supposed to mimic another text type, such as a persuasive speech, then it should also contain all aspects of a persuasive introduction
Speeches need three body paragraphs. Each one should:
Clearly state the topic for the body paragraph
Elaborate on the topic with three subpoints, each one having examples
Link back to the original topic
Use language that addresses the audience such as rhetorical questions, 2nd person pronouns, or inclusive first person pronouns
If the speech is supposed to mimic another text type, such as a persuasive speech, then it should also contain all aspects of a persuasive body paragraph
Speech conclusions need to:
Restate the topic of the speech
Summarise your main points
Leave your audience with a call to action or an idea to think about
Cheat sheet
To help further your writing, we have also listed a few general tips:
Make sure your tone is consistent throughout a writing piece. Maintain emotions that are consistent with the subject matter, and use the correct modality for the text type.
If you struggle with ideas, practice writing as many writing scaffolds as possible
If you struggle with the writing itself, do full practice writing pieces and read them aloud to find errors and help you edit
Use Alpha One’s Writing Feedback Tool for an instant review on which areas your writing did well in as well as areas you can improve
Make sure to practise under time pressure
If your writing seems disorganised in advice sheets, guides, or reviews then try organising your ideas under subheadings
Try to be creative with your paragraphs and structure in narratives and creatives
In all linking sentences, you want to link back to the topic and express the significance of the sub-point
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