KS2 English textbook

Chapter 12: Writing non-fiction and editing

Strand Composition
Level Year 4
Practice 91 questions with step-by-step solutions

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 4. Content: Write for a clear purpose and a known audience, and choose a formal or an informal register (WV10 umbrella), Organise an information text with headings, sub-headings and paragraphs, in the present tense (WC5, G3-6), Write instructions with imperative verbs, ordered by time connectives, Write explanations that give causes and effects, with connecting words (WV4), Write a persuasive text: an opinion, reasons and a call to action, Evaluate and edit a draft for accuracy, cohesion and Standard English; proof-read it (WC6, WC8), Present writing neatly, with joins where they are easy and legible handwriting (HW1, HW2, practised on paper).

Open Year 4 chapter

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

Choose a purpose, an audience and a register before writing
Organise an information text with a main heading, sub-headings and paragraphs
Write instructions that start with imperative verbs and use time connectives
Explain how something happens, using causes, effects and connecting words
Write a persuasive text with an opinion, reasons and a call to action
Edit a draft for accuracy, pronouns, verb forms and spelling, then present it neatly

You should already know

Fronted adverbials and the comma after them (Chapter 6 of this book)
Noun phrases, pronouns and Standard English verb forms (Chapter 7 of this book)
Direct speech and its punctuation (Chapter 5 of this book)
Writing stories, with paragraphs and cohesion (Chapter 11 of this book)

Where this leads

Writing longer reports, explanations and persuasive texts in Year 5 and Year 6

Lessons in this chapter

Read the whole chapter on one page (good for printing).

Practise with real exam questions

The DfE publishes every past KS2 test, with mark schemes, for free.

KS2 English past papers