The phrase "a basic format of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a fundamental structure or template for something, such as a document, design, or process.
Example: "The report should follow a basic format of introduction, body, and conclusion to ensure clarity and coherence."
Alternatives: "a fundamental structure of" or "a simple template for".
The shows settled into a basic format -- two interview segments of approximately 20 minutes each (sometimes solo interviews, sometimes with one politician from either party facing each other), followed by a 20-minute roundtable panel to end the show.
Many good stories do fit into a basic format and you can use this as a skeleton to build off of when your plot feels aimless.
We used the basic format of a cigarette package and added a smoking related photo and health text.
That Mr. Wells employs the basic format of a Christian worship service — including scripted responses, songs, a meet-and-greet mingle, readings, a cultural calendar, a kind of sermon, a silent meditation, even a benediction — still makes some people leery, even though there isn't even a passing reference to theology.
Watch his shows online — many are still available on alexandermcqueen.com — and you see the great potential for transforming the basic format of a fashion show to explore larger ideas about cultural or social history, or the increasing dominance of technology.
But even though they were unable to come to terms before completing the deal, Epstein and John Henry, the Red Sox chairman, made it clear that the basic format of a deal - one most likely similar to Teixeira's eight-year, $180 million contract - was in place and that they had no doubts it would be finished at the appropriate time.
The structure and session design followed the basic format of a typical social skills training program.
Both NBC game shows and several similar ones coming up, like "Set for Life" on ABC or "The Rich List" on Fox, follow the basic format of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," the game show that pioneered the formula of dispensing huge rewards for emotional exertion.
