Year 3 English: Headings and sub-headings
Part of the Year 3 English tense and paragraphs chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Headings and sub-headings
A heading names the whole text. A sub-heading names one part of it. Headings are short phrases, not full sentences, so they do not need a full stop. They help a reader find information quickly.
| Name | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| heading | names the whole text | Growing a bean in a cup |
| sub-heading | names one part of the text | Planting the bean |
| paragraph | sentences about one idea under a sub-heading | Put a dry bean on damp cotton wool. |
Read this short text. Then answer the questions in the exercise.
Growing a bean in a cup
What a young plant needs
A young plant needs water, warmth and light to grow. Water helps the roots and stem grow. Light helps the leaves make food.
Planting the bean
Put a dry bean on damp cotton wool inside a clear plastic cup. Keep the cotton wool damp, but not soaking wet.
Looking after the plant
Put the cup on a sunny windowsill. Check the cotton wool each day and add a little water if it feels dry. After a few days, you may see a root growing down.
Key ideas
- A heading names the whole text. A sub-heading names one part of it.
- Headings and sub-headings are short phrases, so they do not need a full stop.
- Sub-headings help a reader find the part they need.
- A sub-heading should match the paragraph under it.
(a) Keeping warm in winter
(b) A trip to the beach
(c) Planting seeds
Method. Look for the idea that all the sentences share.
- Read the sentences. Look at what all three sentences are about.Put on warm socks. Wear a hat and gloves. Take a warm coat when it is cold.
- Choose the heading that names the whole idea. The best heading names what all the sentences have in common.(a) Keeping warm in winter
- Write the answer. Keeping warm in winter
Check. All the sentences support this heading. ✓
Watch out. A heading should cover every sentence, not just one of them.
Method. A sub-heading names what the sentences are about, in a short phrase.
- Find the idea. All three sentences tell us how to look after a plant.looking after a plant
- Write a short phrase. A sub-heading is a short phrase with no full stop.Looking after a plant
- Write the answer. Looking after a plant
Check. Read the sub-heading with the sentences. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: Caring for a plant.
Method. Look for the sub-heading that matches the sentence.
- Read the sub-headings. The sentence is about looking after the plant.Looking after the plant
- Choose the match. The windowsill is in the paragraph under the sub-heading Looking after the plant.Looking after the plant
- Write the answer. Looking after the plant
Check. The windowsill is in the paragraph under this sub-heading. ✓
Watch out. Also accept any sub-heading that names looking after the plant.
Watch out
Watch out: a sub-heading names one part of the text. Do not use the heading of the whole text as a sub-heading, and do not write a sub-heading as a full sentence with a full stop.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Look at a leaflet, a menu or a set of instructions together. Ask your child: what is the heading of the whole text? What is each sub-heading about? Which part would you read first?
Exercise 6F Practice: headings and sub-headings
Method. The heading of the whole text is at the top.
- Look at the top of the text. The heading at the top names the whole text.Growing a bean in a cup
- Write the answer. Growing a bean in a cup
Check. It names the whole text. ✓
Watch out. The title of the whole text is the heading.
Method. Count the sub-headings, which are the short phrases under the main heading.
- Find the sub-headings. Each sub-heading starts a new part.What a young plant needs; Planting the bean; Looking after the plant
- Count them. There are three sub-headings.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Three parts, three sub-headings. ✓
Watch out. Do not count the heading of the whole text.
Method. Look for the part about caring for the plant.
- Read the sub-headings. Checking the cotton wool each day is about caring for the plant.checking each day
- Choose the sub-heading. This part is named Looking after the plant.Looking after the plant
- Write the answer. Looking after the plant
Check. The paragraph says: check the cotton wool each day. ✓
Watch out. Find the sub-heading whose paragraph tells you what to do.
Method. Look for the sub-heading about putting the bean in.
- Read the paragraphs. The bean is put on damp cotton wool in a cup.put a dry bean on damp cotton wool
- Choose the sub-heading. This paragraph is under the sub-heading Planting the bean.Planting the bean
- Write the answer. Planting the bean
Check. The sub-heading names the paragraph. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: Planting.
Method. Look in the first paragraph.
- Find the list in the first sentence. The text says a young plant needs water, warmth and light.water, warmth and light
- Choose one thing. Any one of the three things is correct.water
- Write the answer. water
Check. Water is in the first sentence. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: warmth or light. Any one of the three is correct.
Method. Look at the paragraph about the plant.
- Find the sentence. The text says to check the cotton wool and add a little water if it feels dry.add a little water
- Write the answer. The answer is in the sentence about checking.Add a little water.
- Write the answer. Add a little water.
Check. The text says so in the last paragraph. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: Check it and add a little water.
Method. Look for the word root.
- Find the word root. The root is in the last sentence of the text.root
- Copy the whole sentence. The sentence tells us when and where the root grows.After a few days, you may see a root growing down.
- Write the answer. After a few days, you may see a root growing down.
Check. Copy it exactly. ✓
Watch out. Copy the whole sentence, not just the word root.
Method. Think about how a reader uses a text with sub-headings.
- Think about the reader. A reader can look at the sub-headings to find the part they want.find the part
- Write one reason. Sub-headings save time, because the reader does not have to read every part.They help the reader find the part they need quickly.
- Write the answer. They help the reader find the part they need quickly.
Check. Any reason about finding information quickly is correct. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: They show what each part is about, so readers can skip to the part they need.
(a) Rain and sun
(b) Helping birds in the garden
(c) Our class trip
Method. Look for the idea that all the sentences share.
- Read the sentences. Look at what all three sentences are about.Keep the bird bath full. Put out seeds on the table. Hang a feeder for the blue tits.
- Choose the heading that names the whole idea. The best heading names what all the sentences have in common.(b) Helping birds in the garden
- Write the answer. Helping birds in the garden
Check. All the sentences support this heading. ✓
Watch out. A heading should cover every sentence, not just one of them.
Method. Find what the three sentences have in common.
- Find the idea. All three sentences are about keeping clean and healthy.keeping clean and healthy
- Write a short phrase. A sub-heading is a short phrase, with no full stop.Keeping clean and healthy
- Write the answer. Keeping clean and healthy
Check. The phrase names the three sentences. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: Staying healthy, or Good hygiene.
Method. Think about what a sub-heading does.
- Think about the job. A sub-heading names a part of the text, so it can be a short phrase.a short phrase
- Decide on the form. A short phrase does not need a full stop.no full stop
- Write the answer. No. Headings and sub-headings are short phrases, so they do not need a full stop.
Check. Compare a short phrase with a full sentence. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: No, a sub-heading is a short phrase, like Planting the bean.