MODULE 1

ENGLISH FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION

A. Introduction

Welcome to the Module 1. This module entitles English for Public Information.
Based on its name, this module is arranged to make you, as the English learners and as
the English teachers know and understand on how to learn and teach English for public
Information.
This module will also explore about comprehension and ability of short functional
texts. You will be introduced to the concept of public notice, post and banners, texts of
graphic organizers, and texts of infographic. You will be asked to observe kinds of sample
of public notice, posts and banners, graphic organizers, and infographic in Indonesia. You
have to make a product of public notice, posts and banners, graphic organizers, and
infographic.
What will you learn from this book?
1. knowledge to engage in social functions in contextually acceptable short functional
text structures and lexico-grammatical features
2. the social functions, text structures, and lexico-grammatical features of a number of
short functional texts in regard to the contexts of situation
3. the differences and similarities between a number of short functional texts from
varied contexts of situation, in regard to the social functions, text structures, and lexico-
grammatical features
4. how to produce short functional texts with contextually acceptable social functions,
with contextually acceptable text structures and lexico- grammatical features.

B. Objectives

This module, English for Public Information, aims to help you to

1. have better knowledge particularly in some types of short functional texts.

2. understand four types of short functional texts whose social functions are to inform,
warn, remind the readers – public notice text, posters and banners, graphic organizers,
and infographics.
3. familiarize you with all language skills in English, namely Listening, Speaking,
Reading and Writing.
4. have a higher order thinking by being creative to create samples of public notice, posters
and banners, graphic organizers, and infographics.

1. TEXT FOR PUBLIC COMMUNICATION:

PUBLIC NOTICE

1. Short Description

People usually use notice to give information, instruction or warning. That’s why in
the notice, people use a simple word with a simple font which is written in a placard or
notice board. Notice / caution is a form of functional Text used as instruction or guidance
to someone doing or not doing something. Notice / caution may be in the form of phrases
(combination of words), clause (Sentence), or an image / mark / sign.
Notice should be easily understood and easy to read, so usually notice or notification
always using simple words, written in a simple, and large font. And it is usually placed in
public places. Notice can also be signs.

2. Definition of Notice
According to Cambridge Dictionary (accessed on February 4, 2024), notice is
“a board, a piece of paper, etc containing information or instruction.”
(https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/notice).
a. Social Function of Public Notice Text
A notice is a formal means of communication. The purpose of a notice is to
announce or display information to a specific group of people. In social
communication, there are many functions or purposes of Notice text, they are used:
▪ To give an instruction / to instruct people to….
▪ To give information / to inform people to….
▪ To give direction
▪ To ask people to….
▪ To advice/to suggest / to recommend people to….
▪ To remind people to….
▪ To warn / to give warning
▪ To ban / to forbid / to prohibit people to…

The purposes of notice text are based on the message written in the notice. Because
of the above functions, that’s why in the notice, people use a simple word with a simple
font which is written in a placard or notice board.

b. Characteristics of Notice Text

Below are the characteristics of notice text:

▪ Short text (simple words, phrases, or clauses)

▪ Easy to understand
▪ Written in capital font
▪ Mostly use images/pictures

c. Generic Structure of Public Notice

As stated by Nurdiono (2016), there are three parts of generic structure of public
notice: attention gather, information, and closure. The description of each part is
depicted below.

❖ Attention gather (optional)

Attention gather means using expressions or phrases that can attract readers’
or people’s attention such as Notice, Warning, or Caution. See the initial word of
some examples below.
❖ Information
Information here can be defined as the messages or information of the text
that want to be delivered to people. Look at the example below.

❖ Closure (optional)

Can you see the closure part in the notice below?

If you can’t see the closure part of the notice above, you should read the short
description about what closure is. Closure is an act of closing: the condition of
being closed. Closure in notice text can be defined as a closing statement of
notice. As its optional characteristic, closure can be omitted or it can be written
in the last part of the text. The function of closure is to close the statements of
notice.
 d. Language Features of Public Notice

❖ Using Imperative mood (imperative sentence).

The imperative mood is a verb form which makes a command or a request. For example:
a. Empty the bin, John.

(This is a verb in the imperative mood.)

b. John empties the bin.
(This verb is not in the imperative mood. It is in the indicative mood.)
The main verb (i.e., the finite verb) in an imperative sentence will be in the
imperative mood. In other words, it will be a command or a polite request.

Here are some more examples of verbs in the imperative mood (shaded):
a. Run!
b. Get out!
c. Stop the bleeding.
d. I am going to cross the field. Shout when you see the bull.
(I am going is the indicative mood (i.e., just a statement). However, shout is
in the imperative mood.)

❖ Using Declarative reference

The typical form (structure) of a declarative sentence is:

subject + verb

speaks Chinese.

The final punctuation is usually a full-stop/period (.).

Declarative sentences can be in positive or negative form, and in any tense as well
as notice.
❖ Spoken / written language features

In writing notice text, we can use spoken or written language style. The
differences between both features are presented in the following charts.
The chart above describes about the difference between spoken and written language
features in writing notice.
i. The use of personal pronouns
In spoken language, personal pronouns are often used, yet for written language, they are
infrequently used.
ii. Sentence structure
The sentence structure of spoken language is shorter and easier to follow than the
sentence structure in written language.
iii. How to emphasize ideas
In spoken language style, to emphasize ideas words, repetition and phrases occur more
than written style in which the ideas delivered through precise and varied language.

iv. Tone

Conversational tone is applied in spoken language, whereas in written language it applies

formal tone.
v. Vocabulary
Familiar words are mostly used in spoken style in order to ensure readers’ understanding,
while in written style rich and precise vocabulary is implemented.
vi. Reference to previously stated information
Fewer references to previously stated information are as the feature of spoken language
style such as “as mentioned above”. Yet, in the written style previously stated information
may be required such as “as in the former”.

e. Kinds of Notice and their examples

Below is the description of kinds of notice and the examples.

▪ Command
Command sentences are used when you are telling someone to do
something.

Commands usually start with an imperative verb, also known as a 'bossy verb',
because they tell someone to do something.

Look at the example 1, the word “keep” is an imperative verb, and it tells
someone or people to do something.

Example:

• Keep The Door Closed

• Slow Down

• Keep the Room Clean

▪ Caution
A caution is a formal warning that is given to a person who has admitted the offence. It
is usually used to remind person or reader to be more careful.

Example:
• CAUTION wet floor
• CAUTION Hot Surface
▪ Information:
Information means giving information. Information notice provides or gives
information or material contained in the notice texts to the readers/people.
Example:
• For Staff Only
• Rest Area
• Bike Route

▪ Prohibition
Prohibition is the action of prohibiting or inhibiting or forbidding (or an instance there
of) to do something. Therefore, people or readers are not allowed to do the things written in
the notices.

Example:
• Pedestrians Prohibited
• No Smoking

• No Parking
• Don’t littering

▪ Warning
Warning usually refers to a message informing of danger. It can be in both written and
spoken form. It is usually intended to make readers or people becoming aware about the
danger condition near them.
Example:
• Warning High Voltage
• Warning Keep Out of Children Reach

• Beware of Pickpockets
Reference:
Saefurrohman. 2019. English for Public Information. Banyumas: Kemendikbud.