How many typical features of the genre Holiday Accommodation Websites (a genre in the general category of publicity) can you find in the following texts? Think about layout, content and linguistic features.
(1) The Windmill, Scarborough – Home page
(2) Inglewood Guest House, Sandown - Home page
Suggested Answer
1. Layout
a) Use
of attractive photos giving both external and internal views of the location
and its rooms in an attempt to persuade readers that it is a pleasant,
comfortable place. (Examples: Both sites)
b) The headings use a larger and different font and colour from the main text, allowing the reader to find the information they want more easily.
2. Content
a) A detailed
description of the property
- History – balancing the historical aspects of the property (Examples: (1) The Windmill Bed & Breakfast which is over 230 years old; (2) a ...Victorian bed and breakfast) with assurances of modernisation and comfort. (Examples: (1) We have two wonderful refurbished apartments…/ They are beautifully decorated offering luxury at affordable prices; (2) the modern and comfortable Breakfast Room)
- Advantages of the location. Examples: (1) The Windmill is located at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac, with a small car park and is less than a 5 minute walk from the Town Centre, Railway Station and Stephen Joseph Theatre; (2) ...close to beautifully sandy Sandown Beach.
- Number of rooms or other types of accommodation offered. Examples: (1) we have two self catering cottages…; (2) Inglewood has 8 comfortable rooms
- Facilities in the rooms and other facilities/services offered (Examples: (1) beautiful beds and furnishings, flat screen tv's and dvd players; (2) Fast and free WiFi coverage)
b) Links (highlighted by the use of capitalisation and/or colour) to pages which give more information and contact information. Examples: (1) after each section eg VIEW OUR ROOMS / BOOK ONLINE; (2) in the top menu - eg Our Rooms/About Us etc
c) Testimonials from past clients emphasising how positive they found the experience of staying there (Example: (1) The owners were so welcoming and couldn’t do enough to make sure our trip was fantastic) and/or links to awards, reviews etc. Example: (2) Photo of framed awards at the bottom of the page. This all reassures the reader that the place offers good quality.
3. Language
a) Inclusion of the first names of the owners and use of 1st person pronouns together with 2nd person pronouns and possessives directly addressing the reader. Examples: (1) Nicola and Andy welcome you to.. / We have two wonderful refurbished apartments in the Windmill itself... / you are rewarded with beautiful sea views when you reach the top); (2) Jon and Justine welcome you to your home from home... / If you are coming to stay with us at Inglewood, we can help you...
Both make the accommodation seem a friendly, relaxing place.
b) Frequent use of adjectives with positive connotations. Examples: (1) We have two wonderful refurbished apartments / within our tranquil courtyard / beautiful sea views / at affordable prices; (2) Our accommodation in Sandown is friendly and relaxed / 2 minutes gentle walk away
c) Frequent use of lexis expressing the concept of high standards. Examples: (1) offering quality self-catering and bed and breakfast accommodation / offering luxury at affordable prices / All uniquely designed; (2) Jon and Justine...have extensive experience... / Our highly rated ...English breakfast
d) Figurative language is used to gives the text a more visual /sensual quality and to help the reader imagine the experience. Examples : (1) those of you who ... have a good head for heights / each boast beautiful beds and furnishings; (2) Drop us a line...
e) Style : There are occasional informal elements, but these are rare (Examples: (1) the abbreviation of maximum to max; (2) A Great Brekkie). The texts are mainly neutral using elements of written style – Examples:
- full forms of auxiliary verbs rather than contractions. Examples : (1) … it does not offer sea views / you are rewarded with beautiful sea views / we will do our best / we do not accept pets; (2) ...you will find children's amusements / If you are coming to stay with us...
- non-defining relative clauses: …come and
stay at the Windmill Bed & Breakfast which is over 220 years old… / one
four poster bedroom which has a bath with shower overhead;
- heavily pre-modified noun phrases : (1) This 18th Century Grade II listed Windmill / 2 four poster king-size en-suite bedrooms; (2) Our highly rated and freshly cooked full English breakfast
