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VCE VCE VM Literacy (Year 12) · Unit 3 — Informational, Organisational and Procedural Texts · 10m read

Reading Informational Texts — Purpose, Audience and Structure

VM Literacy is about the reading, writing and speaking you need for work, study and life. It starts with understanding the information texts you meet every day.

Learning objective: Identify the purpose, audience, structure and language features of informational texts such as articles, reports, websites and infographics, and extract key information.

By the end of this lesson you can:

  • I can identify a text’s purpose and audience.
  • I can use headings, visuals and structure to find information quickly.
  • I can summarise the main points in my own words.

Text features are signposts. Headings, bold words, tables and images point you to the information you need — like signs on a highway.

Purpose, audience and features

PURPOSE — why the text exists: to inform, explain, instruct, persuade or record.
AUDIENCE — who it is for: the public, customers, employees, young people, experts.

FEATURES OF INFORMATIONAL TEXTS
• Headings and subheadings that organise information.
• Dot points, numbered lists and tables.
• Images, diagrams, charts and infographics.
• Factual, objective language; technical terms with explanations.
• Sources and dates that show credibility.

READING STRATEGIES: skim headings first, scan for specific details, then read key sections closely. Summarise using the "5 Ws and H" (who, what, when, where, why, how).

Worked example (Easy)

A council webpage explains new bin-collection days. Identify its purpose, audience and two features.

  1. Purpose. To inform residents of the changes.
  2. Audience. Local residents.
  3. Features. A table of days by suburb and a clear heading "What’s changing?".

Answer: Purpose: inform; audience: residents; features: a suburb-by-day table and clear headings.

Common mistakes

  • Reading every word from the start It wastes time in long texts. Fix: Skim headings first, then scan for what you need.
  • Copying sentences instead of summarising Summaries show understanding. Fix: Use your own words and keep only key points.

Practice questions

  1. A text that explains how a new train timetable works mainly aims to:

    1. Entertain
    2. Inform
    3. Persuade
    4. Criticise

    (1 marks)

  2. Find an informational webpage (e.g. a health or transport site). Identify its purpose, audience and three text features.

    (3 marks)

Summary

  • Identify purpose and audience first.
  • Use headings, lists, tables and visuals to navigate.
  • Skim, scan, then read closely.
  • Summarise in your own words.

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