Functional Text

What is Functional Text?

FUNCTIONAL TEXT is writing meant to help the reader accomplish an everyday task.
Examples of functional text might include a recipe for cooking; directions to a location; a memo
notifying of a change in a company's address, or a store's opening time; a schedule of event times
and locations during a seminar; a directory of addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses;
directions on a test; a menu from a restaurant; a pamphlet notifying the public of a grand
opening, store closing, or a foreclosure; or a how-to manual just to name a few.
Functional text is used for everyday information. It is called functional because it helps you
function in your day-to-day life. For example, if I wanted to make chocolate chip cookies, I
would read a recipe. If I wanted to know my friend's phone number, I would look in a phone
book. If my English teacher gave a test, I would need to read the directions.
Some examples of functional texts are :
A. Announcements
B. Advertisements
C. Greeting cards
D. Short messages
E. Notices
F. Cautions
G. Invitation cards
H. Postcards
I.

Shopping lists

J.

Food labels

A. Announcement
1. Announcement is an important or official statement that informs people about something.
2. Examples of announcements:
a.

School announcements
ANNOUNCEMENT
There will be a flag ceremony next Monday. All students must wear white
uniforms. Do not be late.
Principal
To
: All grade IX Students
From : Headmaster
Please choose one of the activities : swimming, painting or singing. Report to your class
teacher or class captain the activity you choose.

b. A Wedding Announcement
Mr Lowrence James Fox
And
Miss Eleanor Rebecca Smith
Announce their marriage on Saturday, the sixth of November two
thousand and ten
Chesterfield, Derbyshire
c.

Outdoor Program Announcement

Weekend Outbound
Lets have weekend outbound!
If youre the nature lovers, please join us on our program. It will be held on
Sunday, 26 September 2010 in Puncak Campsite. The opening ceremony
will be held at 7 a.m. If you are interested, please come and join us.
Contact us and register your group of four. Wear your blue jeans and white
T-shirt. Dont forget to bring necessary equipments, foods and drinks are
provided by the committee.

The chairman,
Seconda Althaf
Contact Person: Firsta Ahnaf (085814143801)
Jl. Kintamani 75, Bekasi.

B. Advertisement
1. Advertisement is a picture and/or set of words used to persuade people to buy a product or
use of service, or that gives information about a job that is available.
2. Examples of advertisements.

Grand Opening
Special offer

Happy-Happy Mall
All items
50% off
Start from 28 November until 8th December 2010
th

URGENTLY REQUIRED
AN ENGLISH TEACHER

Male max 35 years old

S1 in English Education program

3 to 5 years working experience

Send your application
not later than October 31st, 2010 to :
SMAN 101 Bekasi, Jalan Bekasi Raya No. 12

C. Greeting Cards

1. A greeting card is a card, with a picture in front and a message inside, that you send to
someone on their birthday or on a special occasion/holiday.
2. An example of a greeting card:

Happy Birthday
may your wish come true

D. Short messages
1. A short message is a written piece of information that you send/leave to another person.
2. Examples of short messages

Hey Tina. I dont think I can meet you tonight because I have to pick up my grandma at the
airport. (Tony)
Dear Vera,
Meet me in the library after school. I have something to show you. please be there.
Angga
E. Notices
1. A notice is a sign or printed statement that gives information or a warning to people.
2. Examples of notices:

WAIT FOR LIFT DOORS TO

CLOSE BEFORE PRESSING
BUTTON
Please switch off the light when you dont use it.
F. Cautions
1. A caution is a warning or piece of advice telling you to be careful.
2. Examples of cautions:
DANGER!
DO NOT GO INTO
THE WATER
G. Invitation cards
1. An invitation card is used to invite someone to attend the event like birthday party, wedding
ceremony, informal dinner, etc.
2. An invitation card should give information about:

The name of the event

When the event will be held

Where the event will take place

Additional information (e.g., dress code, RSVP)

3. Examples of invitation cards:

You and Your partner are invited to attend Jessicas 14 Birthday in Hilton
hotel.
20 December 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Jessica
Mr. and Mrs. Tailor Lopes request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their
daughter
Jessica Spears
To
Steven Martin
On Sunday, the twenty-first of November 2010
At 10 a.m

Plaza Juanda
021 Juanda Street, Bekasi
4. Some common expressions used in an invitation cards are:

You are invited to ..

.. cordially invites you to ..

Come and share our wedding.

H. Postcards
1. A postcard is a card that can be sent in the post without an envelope, especially with a
picture on it. It is used for sending a short message.
2. The message in a postcard usually consists of several parts:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Opening (greeting/salutation)
Body (the message)
Pre-closing (it may be the conclusion of the message)
Closing (the writers regard and signature)

3. An example of postcard:
Dear Maria,
Yesterday, Uncle Tumijo took me and my cousins to the beach. Its called
Parangtritis Beach and we had eh most thrilling view. Its large wave was
really awesome. Unfortunately, we could not swim in this beach. There
were so many deep hollows along the beach. People can easily be
drowned. We played beach volleyball in the afternoon. Then, we took a
traditional cart called andong and enjoyed the sunset.
It was fun!
Yours.
Annette

Maria Kirk

202 Witherspoon Rd
Millstone, New York
I. Shopping lists
1. A shopping list is a list that you make of all the things you want to buy when you go
shopping.
2. An example of a shopping list:
Some celery
1 ounce garlic
1 ounce onion
1 kg chicken
kg carrot
kg tomato
1 pack salt

J. Food label
1. A food label can be found on the back of most food products. This label gives information
about the products, and can be useful if one is trying to eat healthy or one needs to avoid
anything one is allergic to.
2. An example of food label:
SILVER QUEEN
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving per package: Avg.2 / serving
size: 30g
Average
Average
quantity
quantity
Per
Per 100g
serving
Energy
709kj
2360kj
Protein
3.6g
12.0g
At total
10.5g
35.9g
Saturated
4.8g
15.9g
Carbohydrat
14.4g
47.6g
e
11.9g
39.6g
Sugars
45mg
148mg
Sodium

Ingredients:
Sugar,
Cashew,
Milk Solids,
Cocoa
Mass,
Cocoa
butter,
Vegetable
at,
Emulsifier
(322: Soy),
Salt,
Flavor.

k.Label
Labels adalah keterangan yang terdapat di bagian luar kemasan sebuah
produk/barang.Di label produk biasanya terdapat kalimat yang menunjukknan
keunggulan produk, petunjuk penggunaan, komposisi produk serta indikasi.

Example:
ORIGINAL
VISTO,Sterile Eye Drops
INDICATIONS : Work effectively to relieve the redness of eye or itch due to minor
irritation that is caused of dust, smoke, after swimming, and so on.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE : Drops 1-2 drops for each eye 2-3 times a day or based
on doctors advice or receipt.
DIRECTIONS FOR STORAGE : Stores in the dry places under 30 C temperature.
Close the container and keep from pollution.

l. LETTER/ SURAT
SURAT ADALAH PESAN YG AKAN DI SAMPAI KAN KPD SESEORANG YG AKAN
DI TUJU .
CONTOH SURAT
DEAR MIRA,
I AM SORRY I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I CAN,T COME TO YOUR HOUSE TO
WORK OUR PROJEK AS WE HAVE PLANNED BEPORE .UNEXPECTED THING
HAPPENS. MY GRANDMA MUST BE HOSPITALIZED SOON.ILL TELL YOU ABOUT
OUR PLAN LATER .
m. memo
understanding Memo
Memo is a concise message , the message was written by someone with a very
short , clear , yet easy to understand . Based on the application, there
are two kinds of scrap . There are official memos and some scraps that are
personal ( unofficial ) . Memo is officially used as a statement of the
formal relationship of a leader to his subordinates . This memo is often
dijumapai on the office desk . While personal memo is used as a memorandum
or letter is not an official statement between parents and children ,
between siblings , friends , or acquaintances who have a close enough
relationship / familiar . This memo is often found in front of the mirror ,
attached to the front door of the refrigerator and so on .
Memo function

Memo course serves as a form of communication that contains directions ,

advice or information about something that what we mean delivered quickly
and accurately .
The characteristics of an official nature memo :
a. Special letters made specifically for the purposes of the office or
organization
b . Judging from the circulation , an office or organization may submit a
memo horizontally and vertically
c . Submission is horizotal a memo to the delivery office which has the
equivalent
d . Submission vertically a memo delivery of superiors to subordinates or
otherwise to remind or ordered something
e . Is a form of communication that give advice , guidance , or information
about something
f . Have a piece of mail that is simpler than the other official papers ,
especially the contents of the letter .
g . Due to the limited pedarannya , memos often do not include the identity
of the office / company in full .
Parts of the memo :
Memo consists of three parts , namely the head of the agency memo memo and
the contents of the memo . Head memo contains : name , address ( usually
included logo / symbol agency creating the memo ) , the name of the
recipient . Agency memo contains : the contents of the memo ( short message
, information or orders in short sentences ) . Feet memo : contains the
date , name and initials memo maker .
example memo
In the article Definition and Examples of this memo , memo mimin displays
an example of an official nature and examples of memos that are not
authorized . Examples include the following .

n.brochure
The brochure is a free media advertising campaign without a good list for
consumers to know the advantages of products or product knowledge . With
the brochure will be facilitate consumers understand the advantages of the
products offered to the brochure for specific as possible about the
products that will be offered to consumers . The form and content of the
brochure layout adapted to the product and is one of the keastuan mediated
strategies do other advertising media such as television , radio , majalh ,
newspapers and others so as not to confuse consumers what is offered .

Example:

o.

invitation

card
Invitation ( Invitation )
Invitation card or invitation letter is a card / letter that aims to invite
someone to come to an event .
Composition invitation card / letter consists of :
INVITEE ( invited ) located at the top .
The body of the letter / card
- Occasion ( event ) should be clearly stated what the event will
held .
- Date ( date ) , include the day , date , year clearly .
- Time ( time ) , specify the time of the event clearly
so guests know what time the event will begin
- Place ( a ) , list the place / address of the event with
obviously if necessary with the site plan .
inviter ( the Host ) write in the end / bottom .
Invitation ( invitation ) used to use the words "please come to ... " or "
invite " , " hope to " , used to invite someone to be present at the event
that we are holding .
Form of invitation can be a party invitation ( party) , meetings
(meetings ) etc .
example :
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Please come to a party
To celebrate the sixth birthday
of
Eliza Keith Brown
Daughter of Mr. Andrew Keith Brown
Sunday , October 17th
1.0 pm 3:00 pm
West Landing Avenue Apt 25
452 Cuponke Lane
RSVP to Jeannie or Jose
976-680-5632