Formal Writing:
* Academic: Articles, dissertations, research papers, essays, textbooks, theses, scholarly books
* Business: Contracts, reports, emails, proposals, memos, letters, presentations, financial statements
* Legal: Court documents, contracts, wills, statutes, briefs, agreements, regulations
Informal Writing:
* Personal: Letters, emails, diaries, journals, social media posts, blog posts, chat messages
* Creative: Fiction, poetry, plays, screenplays, scripts, lyrics, song writing, stories
Technical Writing:
* Instructional: User manuals, training materials, technical documentation, procedures, guides
* Informative: Technical reports, white papers, product specifications, scientific articles, data analysis
Other:
* Journalism: News articles, editorials, reviews, features, interviews
* Public Relations: Press releases, brochures, marketing materials, website content
* Advertising: Slogans, taglines, copywriting, ad copy
Beyond categories:
* Genre: Each written variety can be further categorized by genre, such as horror, romance, science fiction (for creative writing) or persuasive, informative, analytical (for academic writing).
* Medium: The medium of written communication matters too. Think print media, digital media, handwritten letters, etc.
Key Features of Written Communication:
* Permanence: Written communication is generally permanent, allowing for review and reference.
* Careful Composition: Writers have time to revise and edit their work for clarity and precision.
* Formal and Informal: Written communication can be highly formal (legal documents) or informal (personal emails).
* Audience Awareness: Writers need to be conscious of their audience and tailor their writing accordingly.
* Grammar and Structure: Written communication adheres to rules of grammar and structure for clear communication.
It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list. The world of written communication is constantly evolving with the emergence of new technologies and forms of expression.