Year 3 English · Writing non-fiction · Summary
Year 3 English Writing non-fiction: summary and key words
Part of the Year 3 English writing non-fiction chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Purpose and audience | Decide why you are writing (inform, instruct, explain, persuade or write to someone) and who will read it. |
| Information texts | Use a heading for the main part and sub-headings for smaller parts. Write facts in the present tense. |
| Instructions | Start each step with an imperative verb, such as Put or Water. Use numbered steps for order and bullet points for things needed. |
| Letters | Greeting, purpose, details and sign-off. Use Yours sincerely for someone whose name you know. |
| Persuasive texts | Give reasons for your opinion, use words such as should, and ask the reader to act. |
| Register | Formal for people you do not know well: full words, polite requests. Informal for friends: contractions, a chatty tone. |
| Checking and presenting | Evaluate, edit, proof-read, then present neatly. Suggest helpful changes when you check someone else's writing. |
Can you…?
- I can say the purpose and the audience of a piece of writing
- I can use a heading and sub-headings in an information text
- I can write facts in the present tense
- I can write instructions that start with an imperative verb
- I can use numbered steps and bullet points
- I can write a formal letter with a greeting and a sign-off
- I can write a short persuasive text with reasons
- I can choose a formal or an informal register for the reader
- I can proof-read my writing for spelling and punctuation
- I can present my writing neatly
Key terms
- purpose
- the reason a writer writes a text, such as to inform, instruct, explain, persuade or write to someone
- audience
- the people who will read a text
- information text
- a text that gives facts about one topic
- heading
- a word or line that names the main part of a text
- sub-heading
- a smaller heading that names one part inside a main part
- present tense
- the form of a verb that shows something happens or is true now, such as live or eat
- instruction
- a text that tells the reader how to do something
- imperative verb
- a command verb, such as Put or Water, that starts an instruction
- numbered steps
- instructions in a numbered list, to show the order
- bullet point
- a short item in a list, often marked with a dot or a dash
- letter
- a piece of writing sent to one person, with a greeting and a sign-off
- persuasive text
- a text that tries to make the reader agree or act, using reasons
- register
- the style of language chosen for the audience and the situation
- formal
- polite and careful, with full words and no contractions
- informal
- friendly and relaxed, often with contractions, for friends and family
- proof-read
- to check spelling, punctuation and grammar before a text is finished