Non-fiction text types: reports, explanations and persuasion

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Notes de leçon

What Are Non-fiction Text Types?

Non-fiction means writing that is about real things, not made-up stories.
Different text types have different purposes (jobs to do).
The purpose of a text shapes what it looks like and the words it uses.
In this topic, we learn about reports, explanations, and persuasion.
Knowing the purpose helps you choose the right features for your own writing.

Information Reports

A report gives facts and information about a topic.
Reports often use headings and subheadings to organise information.
They use the present tense (e.g., 'Dolphins live in the sea.').
Reports use general nouns to talk about whole groups (e.g., 'Dolphins' not 'my dolphin').
The language is factual – it states true things without opinions.

Explanations

An explanation tells how or why something happens.
The title often asks a question like 'How do volcanoes erupt?' or 'Why do we have seasons?'
Explanations show a sequence (order) of causes and effects.
They use time connectives like 'first', 'next', 'then' to show order.
They also use cause connectives like 'because', 'so', and 'therefore'.

Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing tries to make the reader agree with the writer's opinion.
It has a clear point of view – the writer's opinion is stated clearly.
Reasons are backed up with evidence (facts or examples).
It uses rhetorical questions – questions that don't need an answer (e.g., 'Don't you want to save the planet?').
It uses emotive language to make readers feel emotions (e.g., 'cruel', 'wonderful').
It often ends with a call to action – telling the reader to do something (e.g., 'Sign the petition!').

Other Text Types: Instructions and Recounts

Instructions tell you how to do something step by step.
Instructions use imperative verbs (bossy verbs) like 'cut', 'mix', 'press'.
A recount tells about something that happened in the past.
Recounts use the past tense and are in time order.
Knowing these types helps you spot the difference between them.

Identifying a Text Type

Look at the features to decide what type of text it is.
If it has headings and present tense facts, it's probably a report.
If it explains how or why with cause and effect, it's an explanation.
If it tries to convince you and has a call to action, it's persuasion.
Always think about the purpose – what is the writer trying to do?

Matching Features to Purpose and Audience

Purpose is why you are writing – to inform, explain, or persuade.
Audience is who will read it – e.g., friends, teachers, or the public.
Choose features that suit your purpose and audience.
For a report to your class, use clear headings and simple facts.
For a persuasive letter to the school, use strong reasons and emotive words.
Always think: 'What do I want my reader to know or do?'

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1.What is the main purpose of a report?
Easy
- Ato inform
- Bto persuade
- Cto entertain
- Dto tell a story
2.Which text type would you use to convince someone to recycle?
Easy
- Aa report
- Ban explanation
- Ca persuasive text
- Da narrative
3.An explanation text often uses cause and effect connectives.
Easy
True or false?
4.Which of these is a feature of a report?
Easy
- Aa call to action
- Ba rhetorical question
- Cheadings and subheadings
- Da sequence of events in time order
5.Which sentence is written in the present tense?
Easy
- AThe cat slept on the mat.
- BThe cat sleeps on the mat.
- CThe cat will sleep on the mat.
- DThe cat has slept on the mat.
6.Which of the following are features of persuasive writing? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- Aa clear point of view
- Breasons backed by evidence
- Crhetorical questions
- Da title that asks 'how' or 'why'
- Ea call to action
7.Match each text type to its main purpose.
Medium
- report
- explanation
- persuasion
- to inform
- to explain how or why
- to convince
8.Put the steps of writing a persuasive text in the correct order.
Medium
- state your point of view
- give reasons with evidence
- use rhetorical questions
- end with a call to action

Plus de questions

9.Put the parts of an explanation text in the correct order.
Medium
- A title that asks how or why
- A series of causes and effects
- A conclusion that sums up
10.Which of these are features of an information report? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AHeadings and subheadings
- BPresent tense
- CRhetorical questions
- DGeneral nouns
- EA call to action
11.An explanation text often uses time and cause connectives such as 'first', 'because', and 'so'.
Easy
True or false?
12.Which sentence is the most likely to appear in a persuasive text?
Medium
- AThe polar bear lives in the Arctic.
- BFirst, the egg hatches into a caterpillar.
- CDon't you want to save the planet?
- DThe report is due on Friday.
13.Which of the following is a feature of an explanation text?
Medium
- AA clear point of view
- BA sequence of causes and effects
- CHeadings and subheadings
- DA call to action
14.Which of these are features of persuasive writing? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- ARhetorical questions
- BEmotive language
- CGeneral nouns
- DA call to action
- EPresent tense
15.Read this sentence from a text: 'If we cut down all the trees, the animals will lose their homes, and the air will become dirty. So we must protect our forests now!' What text type is this most likely from?
Medium
- AA report
- BAn explanation
- CA persuasive text
- DA narrative
16.Which of these sentences uses a rhetorical question?
Medium
- AWhat time is it?
- BWhy should we care about the environment?
- CCan you pass the salt?
- DWhere did you go yesterday?
17.Which of these sentences is most likely to appear in a persuasive text?
Medium
- AThe rainforest is home to many animals.
- BRainforests are being cut down at an alarming rate.
- CWe must save the rainforests before it is too late!
- DThe rainforest receives a lot of rain each year.
18.Which sentence uses a cause and effect connective correctly?
Medium
- AHe was tired, because he went to bed early.
- BHe was tired, so he went to bed early.
- CHe was tired, but he went to bed early.
- DHe was tired, when he went to bed early.
19.Which of these sentences uses a general noun?
Medium
- AThe dog chased the ball.
- BDogs make great pets.
- CMy dog Max is a beagle.
- DThe dog barked loudly.
20.Which sentence is an example of emotive language?
Medium
- AThe puppy played in the garden.
- BThe adorable puppy played happily in the sunny garden.
- CThe puppy was in the garden.
- DThe puppy played outside.
21.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Medium
- AThe report is about tigers, it includes facts about their habitat.
- BThe report is about tigers: it includes facts about their habitat.
- CThe report is about tigers; it includes facts about their habitat.
- DThe report is about tigers it includes facts about their habitat.
22.Which sentence uses a time connective to show sequence?
Medium
- AThe water boils because it is hot.
- BFirst, you mix the flour and sugar.
- CThe plant grows if it gets sunlight.
- DThe car stopped but the engine was still running.
23.Which of these sentences uses a subheading correctly?
Medium
- AThe report has a subheading called 'Habitat' followed by a paragraph about where tigers live.
- BThe report has a subheading called 'Habitat' followed by a paragraph about what tigers eat.
- CThe report has a subheading called 'Introduction' followed by a paragraph about the tiger's habitat.
- DThe report has a subheading called 'Conclusion' followed by a paragraph about the tiger's habitat.
24.Which of these sentences is most likely to be a call to action in a persuasive text?
Hard
- AMany animals are losing their homes.
- BYou can help by recycling your plastic bottles.
- CRecycling is good for the environment.
- DPlastic bottles can be recycled.
25.Which sentence uses a connective that shows contrast?
Medium
- AThe sun was hot, so we went swimming.
- BThe sun was hot, but we went swimming.
- CThe sun was hot, because we went swimming.
- DThe sun was hot, and we went swimming.
26.Which sentence is written in the third person?
Medium
- AI think recycling is important.
- BYou should recycle your bottles.
- CPeople should recycle their bottles.
- DWe need to recycle our bottles.
27.Read this sentence from a report: 'The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth.' What tense is used?
Easy
- Apresent tense
- Bpast tense
- Cfuture tense
- Dno tense
28.Read this sentence from an explanation: 'When water is heated, it turns into steam.' What does the word 'when' show?
Easy
- Aa cause and effect link
- Ba contrast
- Ca time order
- Da list of items
29.Read this sentence from a persuasive text: 'If we do not act now, our planet will be in danger.' What is the writer trying to make the reader feel?
Medium
- Aa sense of urgency
- Ba feeling of calm
- Ca desire to sleep
- Da happy memory
30.Read this short extract from a report: 'Dogs are mammals. They have fur and four legs. Dogs are often kept as pets.' Which feature of a report is shown here?
Medium
- Auses the present tense
- Buses a rhetorical question
- Cuses emotive language
- Duses a call to action
31.Read this sentence from a persuasive text: 'Imagine a world without bees. No flowers, no fruit, no honey.' What is the effect of the word 'imagine'?
Medium
- Ait makes the reader picture a world without bees
- Bit tells the reader a fact about bees
- Cit asks the reader to count bees
- Dit orders the reader to plant flowers
32.Read this sentence from an explanation: 'Plants make their own food using sunlight.' This sentence is written in the past tense.
Easy
True or false?
33.Read this short extract from a persuasive text: 'Our school needs a recycling program. We throw away too much plastic every day. If we recycle, we can save trees and reduce waste. Join us in making a change!' Which features of persuasive writing are used? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- Aa clear point of view
- Ba rhetorical question
- Ca call to action
- Dpresent tense facts
- Eemotive language
34.Match each sentence to the text type it most likely comes from.
Medium
- Cats are independent animals.
- If we don't help, the bees will die.
- Water boils at 100° Celsius.
- report
- persuasive text
- explanation
35.Read this explanation about the water cycle. Put the steps in the correct order.
Medium
- Water evaporates from the sea.
- Clouds form in the sky.
- Rain falls back to the ground.
36.Which word is a connective that shows cause?
Easy
- Abecause
- Bbut
- Cthen
- Dfirst
37.Which punctuation mark is used to end a question?
Easy
- A?
- B.
- C!
- D,
38.A report is usually written in the present tense.
Easy
True or false?
39.Which of these sentences uses a time connective?
Easy
- AFirst, mix the flour and sugar.
- BBecause it was cold, we stayed inside.
- CThe cat is on the mat.
- DWe should recycle paper.
40.Which word is a general noun?
Easy
- Adogs
- BRex
- CLondon
- DMonday
41.Complete the sentence with the correct word.
Easy
A text that explains how something happens is called an ____.
42.Fill in the missing words to name three features of a report.
Easy
Three features of a report are ____, ____, and ____.
43.What is the term for a question that is asked for effect and does not expect an answer?
Easy
44.Fill in the missing word.
Medium
A report uses ____ tense to give facts about a topic.
45.What is the term for a noun that names a whole group, such as 'dogs' or 'children'?
Medium
46.Complete the sentence using the correct term from the source material.
Easy
The writing mode that tells a story or narrates an event is called ____.
47.What is the term for the type of essay that tells a story?
Easy
48.What is the term for the type of essay that gives examples?
Easy
49.What is the term for the writing mode that explains reasons or results?
Medium
50.Read this sentence from an explanation: '___ the rain falls, the ground becomes wet.' Fill in the missing time connective.
Easy
____ the rain falls, the ground becomes wet.
51.Read this sentence from a persuasive text: 'We must protect our oceans from plastic pollution.' What is this sentence called? (one word)
Medium
52.Explain how the purpose of a text affects its features. Use an example.
Hard
53.Explain the difference between a narrative essay and a descriptive essay, using examples of what each focuses on.
Medium
54.Why is description often used in other modes of writing? Give an example from the source.
Hard
55.Read this short extract from a persuasive text: 'Every day, hundreds of plastic bottles are thrown away. They end up in our oceans, harming sea life. If we use reusable bottles, we can make a difference.' Explain how the writer uses language to persuade the reader. Use two examples from the extract.
Hard

Notes de révision

## Non-fiction Text Types: Reports, Explanations and Persuasion Texts have different **purposes** (why they are written). The purpose changes how the text looks and the words it uses. ### Reports (Information) - **Purpose**: To give facts about a topic. - **Features**: - Headings and subheadings (titles and smaller titles). - Present tense (e.g., 'Dogs are mammals.'). - General nouns (e.g., 'dogs' not 'my dog'). - Factual language (no opinions). ### Explanations - **Purpose**: To explain how or why something happens. - **Features**: - A title that asks 'How...?' or 'Why...?' (e.g., 'Why do volcanoes erupt?'). - A sequence of causes and effects (one thing leads to another). - Time connectives (e.g., 'first', 'then', 'next'). - Cause connectives (e.g., 'because', 'so', 'therefore'). ### Persuasion - **Purpose**: To convince the reader to agree with your point of view. - **Features**: - A clear point of view (your opinion). - Reasons backed by evidence (facts or examples). - Rhetorical questions (questions that don't need an answer, e.g., 'Don't you want to help?'). - Emotive language (words that make you feel, e.g., 'heartbreaking'). - A call to action (tell the reader to do something, e.g., 'Sign the petition!'). ### Other Text Types - **Instructions**: Tell you how to do something, step by step. - **Recount**: Tell about something that happened in the past. ### How to Identify a Text Type Look at its features. Ask: What is the purpose? Does it inform, explain, or persuade? Match the features to the purpose. **Remember**: The purpose shapes the text. Choose the right features for your purpose and audience.

Purpose: The reason a text is written, such as to inform, explain, or persuade.
Report: A non-fiction text that gives facts about a topic using headings, present tense, and general nouns.
Explanation: A non-fiction text that explains how or why something happens, using cause and effect and connectives.
Persuasion: A type of writing that tries to convince the reader to agree with a point of view, using reasons, evidence, and emotive language.
Headings: Titles that organize a text into sections.
Subheadings: Smaller titles within a section that help organize information.
Present tense: Verb form that shows something is happening now or is always true, e.g., 'is' or 'live'.
General nouns: Nouns that refer to a whole group, not a specific one, e.g., 'dogs' instead of 'my dog'.
Factual language: Words that state facts, not opinions.
Cause and effect: A relationship where one thing makes another thing happen.
Time connectives: Words like 'first', 'then', 'next' that show the order of events.
Cause connectives: Words like 'because', 'so', 'therefore' that show why something happens.
Rhetorical question: A question asked to make a point, not to get an answer, e.g., 'Don't you care?'
Emotive language: Words chosen to make the reader feel strong emotions, like 'heartbreaking' or 'wonderful'.
Call to action: A sentence that tells the reader to do something, like 'Sign the petition!'
Instructions: A text that tells you how to do something step by step.
Recount: A text that tells about something that happened in the past.

Cartes mémo

What is a non-fiction text?

A non-fiction text is a piece of writing that gives real facts and information, not made-up stories.

What is the purpose of an information report?

An information report gives facts about a topic, like animals or places, to inform the reader.

What are headings and subheadings?

Headings are titles for sections, and subheadings are smaller titles inside sections. They help organize information.

What tense is usually used in an information report?

Information reports usually use the present tense, like 'Dogs are mammals.'

What are general nouns? Give an example.

General nouns name whole groups, not one specific thing. For example, 'birds' is a general noun, not 'this robin'.

What is factual language?

Factual language uses true statements and exact information, without opinions or feelings.

What is the purpose of an explanation text?

An explanation text tells how or why something happens, like how a volcano erupts.

What kind of title does an explanation text often have?

An explanation text often has a title that asks 'how' or 'why', like 'How do bees make honey?'

What is a cause and effect?

A cause is why something happens, and an effect is what happens because of it. For example, rain (cause) makes the ground wet (effect).

What are time connectives? Give two examples.

Time connectives are words that show order, like 'first', 'then', 'next', 'finally'.

What are cause connectives? Give two examples.

Cause connectives are words that show why something happens, like 'because', 'so', 'therefore'.

What is the purpose of persuasive writing?

Persuasive writing tries to make the reader agree with the writer's opinion or do something.

What is a point of view?

A point of view is what the writer thinks or believes about a topic. For example, 'I think school should start later.'

What are reasons and evidence in persuasive writing?

Reasons are why you believe something, and evidence is facts or examples that support your reasons.

What is a rhetorical question? Give an example.

A rhetorical question is asked to make the reader think, not to get an answer. For example, 'Don't you want a cleaner planet?'

What is emotive language?

Emotive language uses words that make the reader feel strong emotions, like 'cruel', 'wonderful', 'terrible'.

What is a call to action?

A call to action tells the reader to do something, like 'Sign the petition today!'

What is an instruction text?

An instruction text tells you how to do something step by step, like a recipe or a game rule.

What is a recount?

A recount tells about something that happened in the past, like a diary entry or a news report.

How can you tell if a text is an information report?

Look for headings, subheadings, present tense, general nouns, and factual language.

How can you tell if a text is an explanation?

Look for a 'how' or 'why' title, a sequence of causes and effects, and time or cause connectives.

How can you tell if a text is persuasive?

Look for a clear point of view, reasons with evidence, rhetorical questions, emotive language, and a call to action.

Why is it important to match text features to purpose and audience?

Matching features helps make the text clear and effective for the reader. For example, a report for kids uses simple words and pictures.

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