Year 4 English · Reading non-fiction · Summary

Year 4 English Reading non-fiction: summary and key words

Part of the Year 4 English reading non-fiction chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

Chapter summary

Skill	Method
Organisation	A contents list, headings, sub-headings, captions and a glossary help you find information. Use the one that matches the question.
Purpose	Why the writer wrote it: to inform, instruct, persuade or entertain. Features such as commands or questions show it.
Audience	The group of readers a text is written for. The word you and the level of the language show it.
Dictionary	Read the word in its sentence, then choose the meaning that fits. Use alphabetical order to find words.
Retrieve and record	Find the heading that matches the question, scan that part, and write each fact in a table.
Main idea	The point of a paragraph. Details and examples support it.
Summary	A short version of the text, in your own words, with the main ideas only.
Inference	A sensible conclusion from clues in the text, with evidence to support it.
Discussion	Take turns, listen, give reasons, and disagree politely.
Formal talk	Start with a polite greeting, and say what the talk is about.

I can name the parts of a non-fiction text, and say how each one helps the reader
I can identify the purpose and the audience of a text, and the features that show them
I can use a dictionary to choose the meaning of a word that fits its sentence
I can put words in alphabetical order, using the first and second letters
I can find facts in several sections, using the headings, and record them in a table
I can find the main idea of each paragraph, and tell a main idea from a detail
I can write a short summary of a longer text, in my own words
I can make an inference from clues, and give evidence from the text
I can take part in a discussion politely, and give a formal opening for a talk

organisation: the way a text is arranged, with its parts, headings and features
contents list: a list at the front of a text that shows its main parts and the order they come in
heading: a word or phrase that names a main part of a text
sub-heading: a heading for a smaller part inside a main part
caption: a short sentence under a picture that says what it shows
glossary: a list of key words with their meanings, at the end of a text
dictionary: a book that gives the meanings of words, in alphabetical order
purpose: the reason a writer wrote a text: to inform, instruct, persuade or entertain
audience: the group of readers that a text is written for
feature: a clue in a text, such as a heading, a command or a bullet point, that shows its purpose or organisation
retrieve: to find a fact that the text states
record: to write facts down, for example in a table or in notes
main idea: the most important point of a paragraph; details support it
summary: a short version of a text, in your own words, with the main ideas only
inference: a sensible conclusion that you reach using clues in the text, with evidence
evidence: the words in the text that support an idea or an inference
nocturnal: active at night, and asleep during the day
hibernate: to sleep for a long time in winter to save energy
command: a sentence or verb that tells the reader to do something, such as Bring a towel