Primary English: Writing types
24th April 2018
Top ways of exploring descriptive, persuasive and informative writing techniques with your primary classes
As students are getting to grips with different types of writing, the very best way to help them fully understand the vocabulary and literacy tricks being used is to try it out for themselves! That's why we've gathered a selection of tried-and-tested activities, plus a few out-of-the-box ideas, to give your class the inspiration and support they need to write in a variety of styles.
Writing to describe
TES
Poetry Train
Poetry Train is a teachers pack of activities, poems and advice for teaching poetry in primary schools. David Harmer and Roger Stevens share proven approaches for use in the classroom, based on brilliant poems by top poets such as Carol Ann Duffy and Jackie Kay.
TES
Pirate Treasure Island - Descriptive Writing VCOP
A VCOP warm up lesson that leads into a descriptive piece of writing. The lesson is introduced through a letter in a bottle (I printed and tea stained it). The powerpoint illustrates a journey taken through a desert island to find hidden treasure. I also had a treasure chest with relevant props for each group to handle and look at to help generate ideas e.g rusty lantern, rope, parrot feathers, keys, ancient statue, shells etc...
N.B The VCOP word cards came from another TES resource that I have linked to.
TES
SLOW WRITING - SUSPENSE WRITING - COMPLETE LESSON
A complete lesson based around David Dadau’s inspirational’SLOW WRITING’ technique.
Aimed at upper KS2 and differentiated fully (3 ways) The lesson develops children’s ability to write precisely and consciously to create a vibrant and vivid description of a suspenseful scene in a story.
Resources includes a full lesson plan, detailed PowerPoint and three levels of task based around a series of images. All resources and PowerPoint are fully editable.
All images and video clip are sourced from PIXABAY
TES
Character Descriptions – Mr Stink
Character Descriptions – Mr Stink
Complete Lesson on Character Descriptions Related to Mr Stink by David Walliams
This download includes a complete, character description lesson on the second paragraph of the book Mr Stink by David Walliams. Children will read and discuss the chapter. There is a PowerPoint to explain character descriptions with examples and the elements broken down. Children can then plan and write their own descriptions independently. There is also a short chapter summary sheet for children to complete to reflect on the chapter read. You will need a copy of the book Mr Stink; everything else needed is included in this download. Please note the page numbers referenced refer to the paperback version, although the page needed is indicated as clearly as possible to avoid any confusion.
This download includes:
- Full and detailed lesson plan
- PowerPoint slides for the lesson
- Mind Map sheets
- LA Cloze sheets
- MA / HA writing frames
- Hot seat prompt sheet
- Description word mats
- Chapter review sheets
This is the second lesson in my Mr Stink unit the first is here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-reading-comprehension-mr-stink-11196477
Thanks for looking.
Please remember to leave feedback, for updates and promotions you can also follow me here: https://www.tes.com/member/Charleei
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My other English products:
Complete Instruction Writing Unit . https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/instruction-writing-english-complete-unit-of-work-11073401
Complete Persuasive Writing Unit . https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/persuasive-writing-chocolate-complete-unit-of-work-4-weeks-11150139
Complete Dialogues and Play Scripts Writing Unit . https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/complete-english-unit-of-work-dialogues-and-play-scripts-11066463
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Complete Lesson on Character Descriptions Related to Mr Stink by David Walliams
This download includes a complete, character description lesson on the second paragraph of the book Mr Stink by David Walliams. Children will read and discuss the chapter. There is a PowerPoint to explain character descriptions with examples and the elements broken down. Children can then plan and write their own descriptions independently. There is also a short chapter summary sheet for children to complete to reflect on the chapter read. You will need a copy of the book Mr Stink; everything else needed is included in this download. Please note the page numbers referenced refer to the paperback version, although the page needed is indicated as clearly as possible to avoid any confusion.
This download includes:
- Full and detailed lesson plan
- PowerPoint slides for the lesson
- Mind Map sheets
- LA Cloze sheets
- MA / HA writing frames
- Hot seat prompt sheet
- Description word mats
- Chapter review sheets
This is the second lesson in my Mr Stink unit the first is here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-reading-comprehension-mr-stink-11196477
Thanks for looking.
Please remember to leave feedback, for updates and promotions you can also follow me here: https://www.tes.com/member/Charleei
*****************************************************************************
My other English products:
Complete Instruction Writing Unit . https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/instruction-writing-english-complete-unit-of-work-11073401
Complete Persuasive Writing Unit . https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/persuasive-writing-chocolate-complete-unit-of-work-4-weeks-11150139
Complete Dialogues and Play Scripts Writing Unit . https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/complete-english-unit-of-work-dialogues-and-play-scripts-11066463
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Writing to persuade
TES
Persuasive writing and letter writing.
I wanted to enrage my Year 3 children in order to encourage them to do some brilliant persuasive writing, so I mocked up a letter from 'Bruce Boggington&', the chief director of a pickled onion factory, who wrote to the children explaining that he would be building his new factory all over their school field. The children were suitably outraged by the letter and produced some great writing, with lots of good points!
TES
Persuasive Writing - school uniform
This is a handout that I produced to assist in the writing of a persuasive letter about banning school uniform.
The handout includes arguments for and against, as well as some facts and figures about school uniform and a small bank of persuasive techniques.
The handout includes arguments for and against, as well as some facts and figures about school uniform and a small bank of persuasive techniques.
TES
KS2 Persuasive Travel Writing Complete Unit of Work . Incl: WAGOLL, Reading and Writing Tasks.
KS2 Persuasive Travel Writing Complete Unit of Work on Chester.
Content:
- W.A.G.O.L.L. Persuasive Travel Text (typed up A4 version with photographs).
- W.A.G.O.L.L. Persuasive Travel Text (Hand written brochure version with children’s drawings increase to A3)
Reading
- Vocabulary Task.
- Retrieval Task.
- Author’s Choice Task.
- Main idea Task.
Writing
- Planning Template.
- Writing Brochure Template
- Line Guide.
- Useful Vocabulary Sheet.
Assessment
- Success Criteria.
TES
PERSUASIVE WRITING: TECHNIQUES SCAVENGER HUNT
Teach students 20 persuasive techniques of the persuasive writing genre with this interactive fun resource. This pack includes 20 Scavenger Hunt cards, 1 Recording Sheet, and an Answer Key to equip students with necessary content information on persuasive writing techniques that they can apply to their own persuasive essays.
The persuasive techniques featured in the 20 hunt cards are:
✓ adjectives
✓ adverbs
✓ alliteration
✓ anecdote
✓ sarcasm
✓ connotations
✓ metaphor
✓ exaggeration
✓ evidence
✓ expert opinion
✓ inclusive language
✓ rhetorical question
✓ simile
✓ emotive words
✓ tone
✓ repetition
✓ imagery
✓ cliché
✓ logic
✓ pun
ACTIVITY
Place the 20 information cards on Persuasive Writing Techniques around the classroom. Students can work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to find the answers to all 20 questions on their recording sheets. They must read the information on each card to find the answer for each corresponding question on their recording sheets.
EVIDENCE OF LEARNING
♦ After the hunt, discuss the answers as a class. I have the pdf version of the hunt open on the interactive whiteboard, so students refer to the information card for each question on their recording sheets.
♦ The interactive nature of the hunt makes it fun for students to learn the persuasive techniques characteristic of a persuasive essay. Students will be more confident to use these techniques when writing.
Please note that the 20 Hunt cards feature just a definition of each technique type. Students need to read the definition and identify the persuasive technique. This will enable you to assess prior knowledge and also enable students to consciously think of the answer prior to responding or to make an educated guess.
Wish you and your students a successful year!
The persuasive techniques featured in the 20 hunt cards are:
✓ adjectives
✓ adverbs
✓ alliteration
✓ anecdote
✓ sarcasm
✓ connotations
✓ metaphor
✓ exaggeration
✓ evidence
✓ expert opinion
✓ inclusive language
✓ rhetorical question
✓ simile
✓ emotive words
✓ tone
✓ repetition
✓ imagery
✓ cliché
✓ logic
✓ pun
ACTIVITY
Place the 20 information cards on Persuasive Writing Techniques around the classroom. Students can work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to find the answers to all 20 questions on their recording sheets. They must read the information on each card to find the answer for each corresponding question on their recording sheets.
EVIDENCE OF LEARNING
♦ After the hunt, discuss the answers as a class. I have the pdf version of the hunt open on the interactive whiteboard, so students refer to the information card for each question on their recording sheets.
♦ The interactive nature of the hunt makes it fun for students to learn the persuasive techniques characteristic of a persuasive essay. Students will be more confident to use these techniques when writing.
Please note that the 20 Hunt cards feature just a definition of each technique type. Students need to read the definition and identify the persuasive technique. This will enable you to assess prior knowledge and also enable students to consciously think of the answer prior to responding or to make an educated guess.
Wish you and your students a successful year!
Writing to inform
Check out these clear templates and more comprehensive approaches to ensuring that learners are able to communicate information with accuracy and clarity.
TES
Informative writing leaflet&checklist
A5 template for informative leaflet, differentiated for two groups. Also includes checklist for CHN using the template.
TES
Information Text Structure Strips
Three different structure strips that can be used for children struggling with their writing. These can be used when writing about animals for an information text and give children a basic structure to their main paragraphs.
TES
Non-Chronological Report Writing - The Lion
Lions are a popular topic for children when writing a non-chronological report. Here I have provided materials that will help you to capture your children's attention.
Here is a resource that both challenges the upper ability and helps children who are emergent writers to achieve in class. An extensive bank of writing frames and activities for writing a non-chronological report on these majestic animals. Useful for class projects or cross-curricular links. It will supplement your unit of work. Extra stand-alone writing frames and activities to fit in with your planning or extension or project work
*** Updated November 2018
Ready to go writing frames
This Pack includes:
* Detailed 5 days worth of planning
* Detailed information on the lion
* Kid safe videos links provided for lions (for flip the classroom activities)
* Pre input activities
* Lions in the wild
* Lions in captivity
* Question cards
* 'What if' questions to encourage discussion
*Mini Flip books (differentiated) and varied
* Detailed word mat - one with vocabulary / one blank
* Writing frames for all aspects of writing a non-chronological report
*Question generator writing frames
*Facts about the lion – different approaches
*Heading and subheading and topic planner
*Non-chronological report planner - different versions
*Step by step sub-heading planner
*Themed writing paper for display or creative writing
*Distributions of lions past and present
* Original clip art for display or role-play
*Report writing checklist
* Pros and Cons – differentiated versions
* Supports EAL
* ICT linked activities using a range of programmes such as Skitch, Popplet etc
It can also be used as a persuasive writing follow-on.
Supports the following curriculum standards for Year 3:
En3/3.4 Vocabulary, grammar & punctuation
En3/3.3a Plan their writing by:
discussing writing similar to that which they are planning to write in order to understand and learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar
discussing and recording ideas
En3/3.3b Draft and write by:
organising paragraphs around a theme using simple organisational devices
En3/3.3c Evaluate and edit by:
assessing the effectiveness of their own and others’ writing and suggesting improvements
proposing changes to grammar and vocabulary to improve consistency, including the accurate use of pronouns in sentences
En3/3.3d proofread for spelling and punctuation errors
En3/3.3e read their own writing aloud, to a group or the whole class, using appropriate intonation and controlling the tone and volume so that the meaning is clear.
Here is a resource that both challenges the upper ability and helps children who are emergent writers to achieve in class. An extensive bank of writing frames and activities for writing a non-chronological report on these majestic animals. Useful for class projects or cross-curricular links. It will supplement your unit of work. Extra stand-alone writing frames and activities to fit in with your planning or extension or project work
*** Updated November 2018
Ready to go writing frames
This Pack includes:
* Detailed 5 days worth of planning
* Detailed information on the lion
* Kid safe videos links provided for lions (for flip the classroom activities)
* Pre input activities
* Lions in the wild
* Lions in captivity
* Question cards
* 'What if' questions to encourage discussion
*Mini Flip books (differentiated) and varied
* Detailed word mat - one with vocabulary / one blank
* Writing frames for all aspects of writing a non-chronological report
*Question generator writing frames
*Facts about the lion – different approaches
*Heading and subheading and topic planner
*Non-chronological report planner - different versions
*Step by step sub-heading planner
*Themed writing paper for display or creative writing
*Distributions of lions past and present
* Original clip art for display or role-play
*Report writing checklist
* Pros and Cons – differentiated versions
* Supports EAL
* ICT linked activities using a range of programmes such as Skitch, Popplet etc
It can also be used as a persuasive writing follow-on.
Supports the following curriculum standards for Year 3:
En3/3.4 Vocabulary, grammar & punctuation
En3/3.3a Plan their writing by:
discussing writing similar to that which they are planning to write in order to understand and learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar
discussing and recording ideas
En3/3.3b Draft and write by:
organising paragraphs around a theme using simple organisational devices
En3/3.3c Evaluate and edit by:
assessing the effectiveness of their own and others’ writing and suggesting improvements
proposing changes to grammar and vocabulary to improve consistency, including the accurate use of pronouns in sentences
En3/3.3d proofread for spelling and punctuation errors
En3/3.3e read their own writing aloud, to a group or the whole class, using appropriate intonation and controlling the tone and volume so that the meaning is clear.
TES
The Writing Process: Information Reports KS2
KS2 student framework to plan an information report (but can be used as a EAL/ESL support resources for students aged 11-14).
This editable document teaches student key vocabulary for this text type (information reports) and includes note-taking sections based on text structure (e.g. title, key facts, visual aids, glossary and bibliography).
There is flexibility for content because this concept-based writing planner is based on text type and text structure, leaving content open for student choice and differentiation.
This editable document teaches student key vocabulary for this text type (information reports) and includes note-taking sections based on text structure (e.g. title, key facts, visual aids, glossary and bibliography).
There is flexibility for content because this concept-based writing planner is based on text type and text structure, leaving content open for student choice and differentiation.
