Reading: Understanding Different Text Types & Genres
B1 Lesson 1: Reading Graded Readers, Simple News Articles, Blog Posts, Reviews, & Personal Letters/Emails
Different Texts, Different Rules
A skilled reader knows that we don't read every text in the same way. The way you read a news report for facts is different from how you read a friend's email.
Today, we will learn to identify the genre1, or type, of five common texts by looking for special clues in their purpose, style, and format. This will help you know what to expect before you even start reading.
Part 1: The News Article
Purpose: To inform the public about a recent, factual event.
Clues: Has a headline, a date, a location (dateline), and a neutral, factual tone. It answers Who, What, Where, When, Why.
KAMPOT – June 12, 2025
The provincial government announced yesterday that construction on a new bridge over the Praek Tuek Chhu river will begin this August. The project aims to reduce traffic on the Old Bridge...
Part 2: The Review
Purpose: To share an opinion and persuade others.
Clues: A title of a product/service, a rating (like ★★★★☆), and opinion words (positive or negative).
A wonderful place to stay! The rooms were very clean and the view of the river was amazing. However, the WiFi was a bit slow. Overall, I would definitely recommend it for a quiet holiday.
Part 3: The Blog Post
Purpose: To share personal experiences or information in a conversational style.
Clues: A catchy title, an author's name, a date, and an informal, personal tone (often uses "I" and "you").
By Chenda Lin - Published on June 10, 2025
If you're like me, you can't start your day without a good coffee. I've spent the last year exploring Kampot's cafe scene, and I want to share my personal favorites with you. First on my list is...
Part 4: The Personal Email
Purpose: To communicate informally with a specific person you know.
Clues: A `Subject` line, an informal greeting (Hi, Hello), and a closing (Thanks, Best, See you).
Subject: Dinner on Saturday?
Hi Rithy,
Are you free this Saturday evening? A few of us are planning to get some seafood at a restaurant by the river. Would you like to join?
Let me know!
- Sophea
Part 5: The Graded Reader / Simple Story
Purpose: To entertain and provide reading practice with level-appropriate language.
Clues: Characters, a setting, a plot (a series of events), usually told in the past tense.
Once upon a time, in a small village on the banks of a great river, there lived a young woman named Kagna. She was known throughout her village for her kindness and her clever mind.
Your Turn! Identify the Genre.
Practice Quiz
Read the short text and choose the correct text type.
1. "★★☆☆☆ - Disappointing. The portion of food was very small for the price, and it was not very warm when it arrived. I will not be ordering from here again."
This is an example of a: (Blog Post / Review / News Article)
Answer: Review. The star rating and strong negative opinion words are clear clues.
2. "Provincial authorities have advised residents to be cautious of rising water levels this week due to heavy rains upstream..."
This is most likely from a: (Personal Email / Graded Reader / News Article)
Answer: News Article. It informs the public about a current, important event with a neutral tone.
Vocabulary Glossary
-
Genre (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ប្រភេទ
A style or category of writing, such as story, news report, or review. ↩ back to text -
Graded Reader (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: សៀវភៅអានតាមកម្រិត
A story book where the vocabulary and grammar are simplified for language learners. ↩ back to text -
News Article (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: អត្ថបទព័ត៌មាន
A text that reports factual information about a recent event. ↩ back to text -
Blog Post (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ប្រកាសប្លក់
An article on a website, usually written in a personal, informal style. ↩ back to text -
Review (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការពិនិត្យឡើងវិញ
A text giving a judgment or opinion about a product, service, or creative work. ↩ back to text
Homework Task
Real-World Text Hunt!
Find two different types of English texts this week. For example, you could find:
- A review of a movie or product online.
- A short news article from a website like VOA Learning English or Khmer Times.
- A blog post about travel or a hobby.
Be prepared to show the text to your teacher and explain the clues that helped you identify its genre.