Year 4 - English
The features of an explanation text
The digestive system: explanation writing
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils research the human digestive system to write an informative and clearly-presented explanation text. Pupils focus on using an array of subject-specific vocabulary appropriately, set within Year 4 level sentence structures, applying causal conjunctions to explain certain features.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify the important features of an explanation text.
Key Notes
- An explanation text is a non-fiction text providing information about how or why something works.
- The structure of an explanation text is an introduction, a sequence of paragraphs in chronological order and a closing.
- Vocabulary used in an explanation text is subject-specific, factual and the tone is usually formal.
- Conjunctions ensure cohesion within sentences and paragraphs.
- Explanation texts are written in the present tense.
Vocabulary To Learn
- explanation text: a text providing information about how or why something works
- subject-specific vocabulary: vocabulary used when writing about a particular subject
- fronted adverbial: a sentence starter followed by a comma
- subordinating conjunction: a word that starts a subordinate clause
- adverbial clause: a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils think that explanation texts can be written in any order.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
An explanation text is a non-fiction text providing information about how or why something works. The structure of an explanation text is an introduction, a sequence of paragraphs in chronological order and a closing.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'explanation text'
a text providing information about how or why something works.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils think that explanation texts can be written in any order. Correction: Explanation texts are written in chronological order; they explain a process in the order in which it happens.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Writing the conclusion of an explanation text about the digestive system Study Guide
- Writing the first section of an explanation text about the digestive system Study Guide
- Writing the introduction of an explanation text about the digestive system Study Guide
- Writing the second section of an explanation text about the digestive system Study Guide
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