purpose and types of text part 2 – Level 2 Group 1 class notes – 9th February 2016

Objectives

1. Discuss tone and purpose in a variety of texts

2. Discuss different types of text

3. Review specialist vocabulary using Kahoot!

4. Discuss the format of an informal email and write a 2nd informal email

Today’s words:

insight noun [C or U]

C1 (the ability to have) a clear, deep, and sometimes suddenunderstanding of a complicatedproblem or situation:It was an interesting book, full of fascinating insights into humanrelationships.

portray verb [T]

C2 to represent or describe someone or something in a painting, film, book, or other artistic work:The painting portrays a beautiful youngwoman in a blue dress.The writer portrays life in a small villageat the turn of the century.portray sb as sth› If a person in a film, book, etc. is portrayed as a particular type of character, they are represented in that way:The father in the film is portrayed as a fairly unpleasant character.

portrait noun [C]

B2 a painting, photograph, drawing, etc. of a person or, less commonly, of a group of people:She’s commissioned an artist to painther portrait/paint a portrait of her.a portrait gallerya portrait painter› A film or book that is a portrait of something describes or representsthat thing in a detailed way:Her latest novel paints a very vividportrait of the aristocracy in the 1920s.

depict verb [T]

C2 to represent or show something in a picture or story:Her paintings depict the lives of ordinarypeople in the last century.In the book, he depicts his father as a tyrant.[+ -ing verb] People were shocked by the advertisement which depicted a woman beating her husband.

illustrate verb [T]

illustrate verb [T] (DRAW PICTURES)

B2 to draw pictures for a book, magazine, etc.:a beautifully illustrated book/oldmanuscript

illustrate verb [T] (EXPLAIN)

C1 to show the meaning or truth of something more clearly, especiallyby giving examples:The lecturer illustrated his point with a diagram on the blackboard.This latest conflict further illustrates the weakness of the UN.

sway verb

sway verb (MOVE)

› [I] to move slowly from side to side:The trees were swaying in the wind.The movement of the ship caused the mast to sway from side to side/back and forth.A drunk was standing in the middle of the street, swaying uncertainly and trying hard to stay upright.›

[T] to cause something to move or change:Recent developments have swayed the balance of power in the region.

promote verb (ENCOURAGE)

B2 [T] to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something:Advertising companies are always having to think up new ways to promote products.The Institute is intended to promote an understanding of the politics and cultureof the Arab world.Greenpeace works to promote awareness of the dangers that threatenour planet today.It has long been known that regularexercise promotes all-round good health.

expend icon More examples

convince verb [T]

B1 to persuade someone or make someone certain:He managed to convince the jury of his innocence.[+ (that)] It’s useless trying to convince her (that) she doesn’t need to lose any weight.[+ to infinitive] I hope this will convince you to change your mind.

tone noun (GENERAL MOOD)

C2 [S] the general mood or main qualities of something:I didn’t like the jokey tone of the article – I thought it was inappropriate.Trust you to lower the tone of the evening by telling disgustingjokes, Mark!Both candidates need to raise the tone of the campaign, as the electorate is tired of negative campaigning.He was in a very bad mood when he arrived, and that set the tone for the whole meeting.

surreal adjective

› strange; not seeming real; like a dream:Driving through the total darkness was a slightly surreal experience.

surreal art: Surrealistic paintings by Vladimir Kush

surreal art: The Persistence of Memory (1931) by Salvador Dali:

condemn verb [T]

C2 to criticize something or someone strongly, usually for moralreasons:The terrorist action has been condemned as an act of barbarismand cowardice.The film was condemned for its sexism.

concur verb [I]

› to agree or have the same opinion:The new report concurs with previous findings.[+ that] The board concurred that the editor should have fullcontrol over editorial matters.[+ speech] “I think you’re absolutely right,” concurred Chris.

vigorous adjective

› very forceful or energetic:a vigorous debateThere has been vigorous opposition to the proposals for a new road.He takes plenty of vigorous exercise.› healthy and strong:Cutting the bush back in the autumn will help promote vigorous growth in the spring.

outrageous adjective

B2 shocking and morally unacceptable:The judge criticized the “outrageous greed” of some of the bankers.[+ that] It is outrageous that these buildings remain empty while thousands of people have no homes.These prices are just outrageous (= much too high).› used to describe something or someone that is shockingbecause they are unusual or strange:outrageous clothes/behaviouran outrageous character

opinionated adjective

› An opininated person is certain about their beliefs, and expresses their ideas strongly and often:He was opinionated and selfish, but undeniably clever.

tone noun

tone noun (VOICE EXPRESSION)

B2 [U] a quality in the voice that expresses the speaker’s feelingsor thoughts, often towards the person being spoken to:I tried to use a sympathetic tone of voice.Don’t speak to me in that tone of voice (= angrily), young lady!It wasn’t so much what she said that annoyed me – it was her tone.

tone noun (GENERAL MOOD)

condolence noun [C usually plural, U]

› sympathy and sadness for the family or close friends of a person who has recently died, or an expression of this, especially in written form:a letter of condolenceDignitaries from all over the world came to offer their condolences.

offer verb

offer verb (AGREE TO GIVE)

A2 [I or T] to ask someone if they would like to have something or if they would like you to do something:[+ two objects] I feel bad that I didn’t offer them any food/offer any food to them.She was offered a job in Paris.Can I offer you (= would you like) a drink?

make an offer C2 (also put in an offer)› to say officially that you would like to buy something, especially a house, at a particular price:They were asking €180,000 for the apartment, so I put in an offer of €170,000.I’ve made an offer on a house in Pine Banks.

B1 a reduction in the usual price of sth, usually for a shortperiod:Don’t miss out on our latest offer.on offer B2› available to be bought or used:We were amazed at the range of products on offer.

on (special) offer B1 UK› If goods in a shop are on (special) offer, they are being sold at a lower price than usual.under offer UK› If a house is under offer, someone has already suggested a particular price at which they would be willing to buy it.

influence noun [C or U]

B2 the power to have an effect on people or things, or a personor thing that is able to do this:Helen’s a bad/good influence on him.He has a huge amount of influence over the city council.Christopher hoped to exert his influence to make them changetheir minds.At the time she was under the influence of her father.