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Year 5

Identifying the features of a non-fiction text with 'Crazy about Cats'

I can identify the features of a non-fiction text.

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New

Year 5

Identifying the features of a non-fiction text with 'Crazy about Cats'

I can identify the features of a non-fiction text.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

The purpose of a non-fiction text is to inform, explain, or provide factual information about a particular topic/subject
There are several features that non-fiction texts have in common.
An index in a non-fiction text allows readers to quickly locate specific topics, terms, or concepts.

Common misconception

Pupils may use the terms peritext and paratext interchangeably.

It can be helpful to think of the peritext as everything on the ‘outside’ of the book, the paratext as extra information 'inside' the book.

Keywords

Features - The features of a text type refer to distinctive characteristics that belong to it.
Peritext - The peritext is the elements around a book, including its cover, title and blurb.
Paratext - The paratext is the elements within the text, including index and glossary; they are not part of the main text.
Purpose - The purpose of a text refers to the reason it was written and the desired impact.
Layout - The layout of a text refers to the way the information is organised on the page.

Support pupils in engaging with the index. As many of these creatures will be new, prompt them to ask questions about their geographical location, why each species is so-named or features they might have.

Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.

What is the purpose of a non-fiction text?

to engage readers with poetic language and artistic expression

Correct answer: to inform, explain, or provide factual information to readers

to immerse readers in imagined worlds, characters, and compelling narratives

to entertain through fictional drama or suspense

Q2.

What features or elements would you expect to find in a non-fiction text?

Correct answer: subheadings

dialogue

Correct answer: captions

Correct answer: an index

imagined settings

Q3.

In what ways could the following text be considered as part of the non-fiction genre?

It is a picturebook.

It contains beautiful illustrations, which bring the story to life.

Correct answer: It is a biography about Gwendolyn Brooks.

Correct answer: It contains factual information about Gwendolyn's achievements.

Q4.

What do you think is the purpose of this text?

to convey emotions, thoughts, or personal experiences

to present and support a specific argument or point of view

Correct answer: to inform and engage readers in learning about different festivities

to tell a fictional story in a structured manner

Q5.

Match the following terms to their definitions.

Correct Answer:author,responsible for crafting the words in a text

responsible for crafting the words in a text

Correct Answer:illustrator,responsible for creating the pictures or artwork in a text

responsible for creating the pictures or artwork in a text

Correct Answer:inference,using clues from within the text to draw conclusions

using clues from within the text to draw conclusions

Correct Answer:retrieval,finding key details or information in the text

finding key details or information in the text

Q6.

True or False? Non-fiction texts can only be presented in picturebook form.

Correct Answer: False, false

Q3 Exquisite, Suzanne Slade, Cozbi Cabrera, Abrams Books for Young Readers Q4 Laura Mucha, Hannah Tolson, Nosy crow

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Match the keywords to the most appropriate definition.

Correct Answer:features,refer to distinctive characteristics that belong to a text

refer to distinctive characteristics that belong to a text

Correct Answer:peritext,elements around a book, including its cover, title and blurb

elements around a book, including its cover, title and blurb

Correct Answer:purpose,refers to the reason it was written and the desired impact

refers to the reason it was written and the desired impact

Correct Answer:paratext,elements within the text, including index and glossary

elements within the text, including index and glossary

Correct Answer:layout,refers to the way the information is organised on the page

refers to the way the information is organised on the page

Q2.

Which of the following are usually found within a non-fiction text, displayed on a page?

a character's story arc

Correct answer: title

Correct answer: captions

Correct answer: headings and subheadings

Q3.

Who is the author and illustrator of 'Crazy About Cats'?

Correct Answer: Owen Davey, owen davey, Owen davey, owen Davey

Q4.

Which of the following are usually considered examples of peritext?

Correct answer: front cover

glossary

Correct answer: text title

Correct answer: blurb

index

Q5.

Which of the following are usually considered examples of paratext?

the author

Correct answer: the index

Correct answer: a glossary

text title

Q6.

What elements or features are usually included in an index?

Correct answer: alphabetical order

opinions

Correct answer: page numbers

full text or paragraphs