Getting the text type wrong in HKDSE Paper 2 is one of the quickest ways to lose marks. You might write beautifully, but if your "formal letter" reads like a blog post, your Language & Style score will suffer. This guide covers what markers actually expect from each text type.

Why Text Type Matters

The HKDSE Language & Style criterion assesses whether your register and tone match the text type you've been asked to write. A student who writes a grammatically perfect essay can still score poorly on Language if they use the wrong level of formality.

Think of it this way: you wouldn't speak to your principal the same way you speak to your friends. Text types work on the same principle.

Quick Reference

Before we go into detail, here's an overview of the main text types and their requirements:

| Text Type | Register | Structure | Key Feature | |-----------|----------|-----------|-------------| | Article | Formal to semi-formal | Headline, introduction, body, conclusion | Engaging opening, clear argument | | Formal letter | Formal | Address, salutation, body, sign-off | Conventions (Dear Sir/Madam, Yours faithfully) | | Informal letter | Informal to semi-formal | Greeting, body, closing | Personal voice, natural tone | | Speech | Semi-formal to formal | Address, body, closing call to action | Rhetorical devices, audience engagement | | Blog post | Informal to semi-formal | Title, body with subheadings | Conversational, personal opinion | | Report | Formal | Title, introduction, findings, recommendations | Objective, impersonal language |

Article (Magazine or Newspaper)

Articles are the most common text type in Paper 2. They need to feel like something you'd actually read in a publication.

Structure:

• A headline that captures attention (not just the topic restated)
• An engaging opening paragraph that hooks the reader
• Body paragraphs developing your argument or topic
• A conclusion that wraps up without just repeating your introduction

Register: Formal to semi-formal. You can be engaging and use rhetorical questions, but avoid slang and overly casual phrasing. Contractions are acceptable in moderation.

Key conventions:

• Write a proper headline, not just "Article about pollution"
• Address the reader occasionally ("you might wonder," "consider this")
• Use topic sentences to open each paragraph

Common mistakes:

• No headline at all, or a headline that's just the essay question copied out
• Opening with "In this article I will discuss..." (too mechanical)
• Forgetting to maintain a consistent voice throughout

Formal Letter

Formal letters have strict conventions. Markers check whether you know them.

Structure:

• Your address (top right, though often omitted in exams)
• Date
• Recipient's name/title and address
• Salutation: "Dear Mr Wong," or "Dear Sir/Madam,"
• Body paragraphs: state your purpose, develop your points, close with a request or summary
• Sign-off: "Yours sincerely," (if you know the name) or "Yours faithfully," (if you don't)
• Your name

Register: Formal throughout. No contractions, no colloquialisms, no exclamation marks.

Key conventions:

• "Yours sincerely" pairs with a named recipient; "Yours faithfully" pairs with "Dear Sir/Madam"
• State your purpose in the first paragraph
• Each paragraph should cover one point

Common mistakes:

• Mixing up "sincerely" and "faithfully" (markers notice this)
• Starting with "I am writing to you to tell you about..." (wordy; try "I am writing to express my concern about...")
• Using informal language: "I think it's really bad" instead of "I believe this situation requires immediate attention"
• Forgetting the sign-off entirely

Informal or Semi-Formal Letter

Letters to friends, relatives, or acquaintances use a completely different tone from formal letters.

Structure:

• Greeting: "Dear Amy," or "Hi Jason,"
• Opening: Reference something personal ("How are you? I heard you're...")
• Body: Your main content, written naturally
• Closing: "Looking forward to hearing from you," "Take care," etc.
• Your name

Register: Informal to semi-formal. Contractions are expected ("I'm," "don't," "it's"). The letter should sound like you're actually talking to someone you know.

Key conventions:

• Show awareness of your relationship with the recipient
• Use a warm, personal tone
• Ask questions and make references to shared experiences

Common mistakes:

• Writing too formally (a letter to a friend that reads like a business letter)
• Not showing any sense of the relationship ("Dear friend, I am writing to inform you...")
• Abrupt endings without a natural closing

Speech

Speeches are written to be spoken aloud. The best speeches feel like someone is actually talking to an audience.

Structure:

• Address the audience: "Good morning, teachers and fellow students"
• A strong opening to grab attention (a question, a surprising fact, a short anecdote)
• Body paragraphs building your argument
• A closing call to action or memorable final statement

Register: Semi-formal to formal, depending on the audience. A school assembly speech is different from a debate speech, but both should feel spoken rather than written.

Key conventions:

• Use rhetorical questions ("Have you ever stopped to think about...?")
• Address the audience directly and repeatedly ("I urge you all to...")
• Use repetition for emphasis ("We can do better. We must do better.")
• Vary sentence length for rhythm. Short sentences create impact. Longer sentences develop ideas and build momentum.

Common mistakes:

• Forgetting to address the audience at the start
• Writing an essay instead of a speech (no sense of a live audience)
• No rhetorical devices at all. A speech without questions, repetition, or direct address is just an essay read aloud
• Ending weakly ("That is all I have to say, thank you") instead of with a strong closing

Blog Post

Blog posts are the most relaxed text type in HKDSE Paper 2, but "relaxed" doesn't mean "sloppy."

Structure:

• A catchy title
• An opening that establishes your personal angle
• Body paragraphs, optionally with subheadings
• A concluding thought (can be reflective or forward-looking)

Register: Informal to semi-formal. Personal voice is not only allowed but expected. Use "I" freely, share opinions, and write as if you're talking to readers who chose to read your blog.

Key conventions:

• Show personality and personal opinion
• Subheadings can help organise longer posts
• Ask readers questions ("What do you think? Have you experienced this?")
• Contractions are natural and expected

Common mistakes:

• Writing a formal essay and calling it a blog post
• No personal voice or opinion (a blog post should feel like you wrote it)
• Forgetting that blog readers expect an engaging, conversational tone

Report

Reports are the most structured and formal text type. They present findings and recommendations objectively.

Structure:

• Title: "Report on..." or a descriptive title
• Introduction: State the purpose and scope
• Findings: Present information objectively, often with subheadings
• Recommendations: Suggest actions based on findings
• Conclusion: Brief summary

Register: Formal and impersonal. Use passive voice where appropriate ("It was found that..." rather than "I found that..."). Avoid personal opinions unless specifically asked for recommendations.

Key conventions:

• Use subheadings to organise sections
• Present findings before recommendations
• Use impersonal language ("It is recommended that..." not "I think we should...")
• Number your recommendations if there are several

Common mistakes:

• Writing in first person throughout ("I went to the canteen and I saw...")
• Including personal opinions in the findings section
• No clear separation between findings and recommendations
• Missing subheadings (reports without subheadings look like essays)

Register Is the Key

If there's one thing to take from this guide, it's this: matching your register to the text type is what separates competent writers from careless ones. A student who writes a technically sound essay but uses informal language in a formal letter will lose marks. A student who writes a stiff, impersonal blog post will lose marks.

Before you start writing, ask yourself two questions:

1. Who is my audience?
2. How would I actually communicate with them?

If you're unsure whether your register matches your text type, try EssayHero's Text Type Checker for instant feedback on format and tone. You can also browse format templates and common conventions in the Text Type Templates reference.

Getting the format right is the foundation. Once you've nailed the conventions, you can focus on what really makes an essay shine: your ideas.