Article
A general non-fiction piece for a publication or blog.
- Title that states the outcome
- Introduction: what this is for the reader
- Main section 1 (evidence, example)
- Main section 2
- Main section 3
- Conclusion: what to take away
Essay
An argument or analysis that makes and supports a point.
- Introduction: hook, context, thesis
- Body paragraph 1: topic sentence + evidence + explanation
- Body paragraph 2
- Body paragraph 3
- Conclusion: restate the point and why it matters
Blog post
A scannable online piece for readers who skim.
- Headline: specific outcome
- Introduction: the promise
- Heading 1 + short section
- Heading 2 + short section
- Heading 3 + short section
- Conclusion + next step
Report
A factual document that summarises findings for a reader or client.
- Title and date
- Summary of the key finding
- Background
- Method or approach
- Findings (with evidence)
- Recommendations
- Conclusion
Business email
A clear, professional email that gets a response.
- Subject line naming the subject
- Greeting
- One line of context
- The request or answer, clearly
- A clear next step or deadline
- Sign-off + name + role
Cover letter
A short letter introducing you for a role or opportunity.
- Greeting to a named person
- Role you are applying for
- Your relevant experience
- Why you fit this role
- What you can do for them
- Thanks + availability + sign-off
Personal statement
A short piece that explains who you are and why it matters for your application.
- Who I am and my goal
- A specific experience that shaped me
- What I learned and how I grew
- Why this opportunity
- What I will bring
Review
An honest assessment of a product, book, film or place.
- What is being reviewed
- What it is and who it is for
- What worked
- What did not work
- Overall verdict + rating
Case study
A detailed account of a real example that teaches a lesson.
- The problem or situation
- Who was involved
- What was done
- The result
- What it teaches
Research paper
Formal academic work that reports original analysis.
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
Short story
A compact fiction built for a single effect.
- Opening moment/setting
- Character want and flaw
- Rising conflict
- Turning point
- Ending that shows change
Journal entry
Private reflective writing.
- Date
- What happened
- How I felt
- What I think about it
- What I want to remember
Memo
A brief internal note to a team or manager.
- TO / FROM / DATE / SUBJECT
- Summary of the issue
- Key points
- What is needed or decided
- Next steps
Proposal
A document that proposes a plan or a piece of work.
- The problem
- The proposed solution
- Scope and deliverables
- Timeline
- Cost or resources
- Why you are the right choice
Press release
An announcement sent to the media.
- Headline
- Lead paragraph: who, what, when, where, why
- Supporting details and a quote
- Background or context
- Contact details
Newsletter
A regular email update to readers or subscribers.
- Subject line
- Greeting
- One main thing
- Two or three shorter items
- A clear call to action
- Sign-off
Product description
Copy that sells one product clearly.
- What it is
- The problem it solves
- Key features (bulleted)
- Who it is for
- A reason to buy now
Tutorial
A step-by-step guide that teaches someone to do a task.
- What the reader will achieve
- What they need
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Troubleshooting
- What you have learned
Annotated bibliography
A source list where each entry is followed by a short summary and assessment.
- Full citation in your required style (APA, MLA or Chicago)
- Summary: what the source argues or reports, in 2–3 sentences
- Assessment: how credible and how relevant it is
- Reflection: how you will actually use it in your work
- Repeat per source, ordered alphabetically by author
Meeting agenda
Circulated before a meeting so people arrive knowing what will be decided.
- Meeting title, date, time and location or link
- Attendees and who is chairing
- Purpose: the one thing this meeting must achieve
- Item 1 — topic, who leads, time allotted, decision needed
- Item 2 — topic, who leads, time allotted, decision needed
- Any other business
- Next meeting date
Meeting minutes
A record of what was decided and who owes what afterwards.
- Meeting title, date, time
- Present / apologies
- Item: discussion summarised in a few neutral lines
- Decision: what was agreed, stated plainly
- Action: who does it, and by when
- Repeat per item
- Date of next meeting
Reference letter
A recommendation you write for someone else — for a job, a course or a tenancy.
- Your name, role and contact details
- Date and recipient
- How you know the person, and for how long
- What they did, with one concrete example
- The qualities that example demonstrates
- Any honest reservation, if the letter must be balanced
- A clear recommendation statement
- Offer to be contacted, and sign off
Formal complaint letter
A calm, factual complaint to a company or institution that is more likely to be acted on.
- Your details, their details, the date
- Reference: account, order or case number
- What happened, in dated order and without adjectives
- What was wrong with it
- What you have already tried
- What you want them to do — be specific and reasonable
- A deadline for a reply
- What you will do next if there is no reply
- Documents enclosed
Podcast script and show notes
An episode plan you can actually read aloud, plus the notes that get published with it.
- Cold open: the hook, 15–30 seconds
- Intro: show name, host, what this episode covers
- Segment 1 — the setup
- Segment 2 — the substance
- Segment 3 — the turn or the counterpoint
- Recap: three things to remember
- Call to action and sign-off
- Show notes: one-paragraph summary
- Show notes: timestamps
- Show notes: links, guests and credits
Occasion speech (wedding, tribute, eulogy)
A short spoken piece for a moment that matters, where tone is harder than structure.
- Who you are and your connection to the person
- The opening line — concrete, not a general statement
- One specific story that shows rather than tells
- What that story reveals about them
- A second, shorter beat — often gentle humour, or the turn to seriousness
- What they mean to the people in the room
- A closing line the room can hold on to
- (If a toast) the raised glass
Crowdfunding pitch
A campaign page that explains the thing, the need and the ask without overpromising.
- One-sentence description of what you are making or funding
- The problem, stated in human terms
- Your solution, and why it works
- Who you are and why you can deliver it
- Exactly what the money pays for, itemised
- Timeline and milestones
- Rewards or what backers receive
- Risks and what happens if things slip
- The ask, and how to share it