Year 5 English · Writing non-fiction, cohesion and layout · Lesson 12.1
Year 5 English: Non-fiction forms: report and persuasive text
Part of the Year 5 English writing non-fiction, cohesion and layout chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
12.1
Non-fiction forms: report and persuasive text
Story. Leila is writing two pieces for the school newsletter. One is a report about the school's recycling week, which gives facts. The other is a persuasive text, which tries to convince parents to join a litter-pick. She plans each one before she writes.
Key ideas
- A report: a title, short sections with sub-headings, and facts written in the present tense.
- A persuasive text: a clear opinion, reasons, and a strong ending that asks the reader to act.
- Both forms use a formal or informal register to suit the reader.
- Plan the structure first: the sections, the reasons, the ending.
Worked example 12.1.1
Which form gives facts about an event: a report or a persuasive text?
Method. Look at the purpose.
- Look at the purpose. A report gives facts about an event.facts
- Name the form. The report gives facts.a report
- Write the answer. a report
Check. A report. ✓
Worked example 12.1.2
Which feature shows a text is persuasive: a list of facts, or a call for the reader to act?
Method. Look at what the writer wants.
- Compare. Facts inform; persuasion tries to change what the reader does.change
- Choose. A call to act is the persuasive feature.a call to act
- Write the answer. a call for the reader to act
Check. A call to act. ✓
Worked example 12.1.3
Write a sub-heading for a report section about how bees help the garden.
Method. Name the section clearly.
- Choose the topic. Bees and the garden.bees and the garden
- Write it. How Bees Help the Garden.How Bees Help
- Write the answer. Accept any sub-heading, such as How Bees Help the Garden
Check. A clear sub-heading. ✓
Exercise 12A Practice: report and persuasive text
1
FWhich tense is used in most reports: present or future?
present
Method. Think about facts.
- Think. Facts are true now, so the present tense is used.now
- Choose. Present.present
- Write the answer. present
Check. Present. ✓
2
FWhich section of a report would give a summary of the findings?
the conclusion
Method. Think about the end of a report.
- Think. A conclusion sums up the findings.sums up
- Choose. The conclusion.conclusion
- Write the answer. the conclusion
Check. The conclusion. ✓
3
FWrite one reason a persuasive text might give to support a litter-pick.
Accept any reason, such as it keeps the park safe for animals
Method. Give a reason with a fact or example.
- Choose a reason. It keeps the park safe for wildlife.safe
- Write it. A litter-pick keeps the park safe for animals.safe for animals
- Write the answer. Accept any reason, such as it keeps the park safe for animals
Check. A reason is given. ✓
4
FWhich word is most persuasive: some or every, in ___ pupil should join the litter-pick?
every
Method. Think about which word makes the claim strongest.
- Compare. Every is stronger than some.stronger
- Choose. Every.every
- Write the answer. every
Check. Every. ✓
5
PSIn a report, which heading tense is best: How the Garden Grew or How the Garden Grows?
How the Garden Grows
Method. Think about the report's tense.
- Check the tense. Reports are usually written in the present tense.present
- Choose. How the Garden Grows is present.Grows
- Write the answer. How the Garden Grows
Check. How the Garden Grows. ✓
6
PSWrite a persuasive opening sentence about why the school needs a bike rack.
Accept any clear opinion, such as Every pupil deserves a safe place for their bike.
Method. Start with a clear opinion.
- State the opinion. A bike rack is needed.needed
- Write it. Every pupil deserves a safe place for their bike.safe place
- Write the answer. Accept any clear opinion, such as Every pupil deserves a safe place for their bike.
Check. A clear opinion is stated. ✓
7
PSWhich is a fact and which is an opinion for a report: The garden is beautiful or The garden has twelve beds?
The garden has twelve beds is a fact
Method. Think about what can be checked.
- Check each. Twelve beds can be counted; beautiful is a judgement.counted
- Choose. The garden has twelve beds is the fact.twelve beds
- Write the answer. The garden has twelve beds is a fact
Check. Twelve beds is the fact. ✓
8
RWrite a sentence for a report about recycling, in the present tense.
Accept any answer that writes a complete sentence in the present tense about recycling. For example: Our school recycles paper, card and plastic every week.
Method. Use a present-tense verb.
- Choose the topic. Recycling.recycling
- Write. Our school recycles paper, card and plastic every week.recycles
- Write the answer. Our school recycles paper, card and plastic every week.
Check. The sentence is in the present tense. ✓
9
RWrite a closing sentence for a persuasive text asking parents to join a litter-pick.
Accept any answer that ends with a call to act and a reason. For example: Please join us on Saturday, because a cleaner park is a happier park for everyone.
Method. Make the reader do something.
- Call to act. Please join us on Saturday.join us
- Reason. A cleaner park is a happier park.happier park
- Write the answer. Please join us on Saturday, because a cleaner park is a happier park for everyone.
Check. The ending asks the reader to act. ✓