Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 3

Analysing the features of the non-fiction book 'Rushing Rivers'

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

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 3

Analysing the features of the non-fiction book 'Rushing Rivers'

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

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The purpose of a non-fiction text is to inform, explain, or provide factual information.
  2. The features of a non-fiction text are designed to help the reader navigate the text and find information easily.
  3. Contents, glossary and index pages are key features of a non-fiction text like 'Rushing Rivers'
  4. The layout of 'Rushing Rivers' is determined by its purpose and audience.
  5. Headings, images and facts are key layout features of 'Rushing Rivers'.

Common misconception

Children find the difference between an index and a contents page confusing.

Clearly explain the key differences and look at examples of contents and index pages from a range of non-fiction texts to highlight this.

Keywords

  • Purpose - the reason for something and the desired impact

  • Features - distinctive characteristics belonging to something

  • Navigate - to find your way to something

  • Layout - the way information is organised on the page

You may wish to add images of the contents, index and glossary from 'Rushing Rivers' to the appropriate pages on the slide deck.
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).

Video

Skip video

Loading...

Some of our videos, including non-English language videos, do not have captions.

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the definition of a non-fiction text?
a made-up story with fictional characters
a piece of writing that uses creative and rhythmic language
Correct answer: a genre of text which provides real events, information or knowledge
Q2.
Which of these is an example of a non-fiction text?
a poem
a story
Correct answer: a newspaper
Q3.
Which of these is an example of a non-fiction text?
a play
Correct answer: instructions
a comic book
Q4.
Which of these is a feature of a non-fiction text?
Correct answer: subheadings
characters
settings
Q5.
Which of these is a purpose of the introduction in a non-fiction text?
To give detailed information.
To entertain the reader with fictional narratives.
Correct answer: To give an outline of the text.
Q6.
Which of these text types provides true and accurate information about the world around us?
fiction texts
Correct answer: non-fiction texts
both fiction and non-fiction

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Non-fiction is a genre of text that presents...
Correct answer: real events, information, or knowledge.
made-up stories.
characters created from the writer's imagination.
Q2.
Which of these is not a purpose of a non-fiction text?
inform
explain
Correct answer: describe made-up settings
provide factual information
Q3.
The features of a non-fiction text are designed to help the reader do which of the following things?
be entertained
Correct answer: navigate the text
Correct answer: find information easily
Q4.
Which of these is not a key feature of a non-fiction text?
contents page
glossary page
index page
Correct answer: suspenseful writing
Q5.
Which feature of a non-fiction text gives you the definitions of subject-specific vocabulary in the text?
contents page
Correct answer: glossary page
index page
Q6.
Where is a contents page nearly always found?
Correct answer: at the front of a book
at the back of a book
in the middle of a book