New
New
Year 3

Identifying features of a non-chronological report in preparation for writing

I can identify important features of a non-chronological report.

New
New
Year 3

Identifying features of a non-chronological report in preparation for writing

I can identify important features of a non-chronological report.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A non-chronological report is a non-fiction text providing information about a particular subject.
  2. A non-chronological report can be organised into an introduction, paragraphs organised by theme and a conclusion.
  3. Vocabulary within a non-chronological report is subject-specific and factual; the language and tone is formal.
  4. Conjunctions are an important linguistic feature within non-chronological reports in order to ensure cohesion.
  5. A fronted adverbial of cause is a sentence starter that tells the reader the cause and effect of something.

Keywords

  • Linguistic feature - a structure of language that uses words

  • Non-chronological report - a non-fiction text that informs about a subject or event and that is written out of time order

  • Subject-specific vocabulary - vocabulary used when writing about a particular subject

  • Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma

  • Conjunction - a word that joins words, phrases or clauses

Common misconception

Pupils think that non-chronological reports can be informal.

Identify key linguistic features, such as subject-specific vocabulary and fronted adverbials, which contribute to a formal tone. You could keep a lot of these on a classroom display or English-themed table.

Provide the children with some examples of non-chronological reports that they can analyse in small groups, looking for the specific features taught in this lesson.
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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a non-fiction text?
a story that is made up
Correct answer: a text that provides information about real-life topics
a text about someone's life
a playscript
Q2.
Complete the following sentence: 'A fronted adverbial __________.'
makes sense by itself
Correct answer: starts a sentence
is followed by a full stop
Q3.
Match each word class to its definition.
Correct Answer:noun,a naming word for people, places or things

a naming word for people, places or things

Correct Answer:verb,a doing or being word

a doing or being word

Correct Answer:adjective,a word that describes a noun

a word that describes a noun

Correct Answer:adverb,a word that describes a verb

a word that describes a verb

Q4.
Which of these are true for non-fiction texts?
Correct answer: A non-fiction text is full of facts to inform the reader.
A non-fiction text is made up.
A non-fiction text has two characters who speak to each other.
Correct answer: There are different types of non-fiction text.
Q5.
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
Correct answer: It is important to eat a balanced diet.
it is important to eat a balanced diet.
It is important to eat a balanced diet
it is important to eat a balanced diet
Q6.
What is subject-specific vocabulary?
vocabulary used in a fairytale
Correct answer: vocabulary used when writing about a particular subject
vocabulary that is exciting and descriptive

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the purpose of a non-chronological report?
to tell an entertaining story
to persuade the reader of a certain viewpoint
Correct answer: to provide information about a subject
Q2.
Select the subject-specific vocabulary that you are likely to use when writing a non-chronological report about a healthy lifestyle.
humans
Correct answer: balanced diet
magnificent
Correct answer: physical activity
history of Modern Britain
Q3.
Put these sections of an explanation text in the order you would write them in.
1 - Introduction
2 - Section 1
3 - Section 2
4 - Conclusion
Q4.
What is a subordinating conjunction?
Correct answer: a word that starts an adverbial clause
a word that joins two main clauses to make a compound sentence
a word that describes a noun
Q5.
Which of the following is an example of a fronted adverbial of cause?
First,
Interestingly,
Correct answer: As a result,
However,
Q6.
Select an appropriate subordinating conjunction to complete the following sentence: 'Wholegrains are important __________ they keep you fuller for longer.'
and
but
Correct answer: because
when