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      Writing the first section of an information text about an author

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can write a section of an information text about an author.

      Key learning points

      1. Notes from a written plan support in writing and ensure important information is included in an information text.
      2. Using a range of sentence types in our writing helps it to flow.
      3. Co-ordination can be used to join two simple sentences that carry equal importance.
      4. Subordination can be used to stretch a main clause and add greater detail.

      Keywords

      • Plan - a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text

      • Co-ordination - joining two simple sentences with 'and', 'but' or 'or'

      • Subordination - joining a simple sentence with a second idea of lower importance

      Common misconception

      Children may find the use of subordination more difficult in their writing, especially finding ways to use subordinating conjunctions other than 'when'.

      Focus more heavily on subordination than coordination during teaching. It is appropriate to focus on the subordinating conjunction 'when' as this is the most valuable for the text's purpose, but model the use of other subordinating conjunctions too.

      Teacher tip

      Ensure children have access to the notes from their plan and have revisited these prior to the lesson.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Why do we need to plan?

      Correct answer: to guide our writing
      Correct answer: to ensure important information is included
      to practise writing the text out word for word

      Q2.
      What type of words do you use to describe nouns?

      adverbs
      verbs
      Correct answer: adjectives

      Q3.
      What is a simple sentence?

      joining two simple sentences with 'and', 'but' or 'or'
      Correct answer: a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense
      what happens because of something else

      Q4.
      What is a compound sentence?

      a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense
      an explanation or justification
      Correct answer: joining two simple sentences with 'and', 'but' or 'or'

      Q5.
      What should you do when writing a subheading?

      write it all in capital letters
      Correct answer: use a capital letter for the first word
      put a question mark at the end
      Correct answer: underline it

      Q6.
      When will you need to use capital letters in your writing?

      Correct answer: for words at the beginning of sentences
      for coordinating conjunctions
      Correct answer: for proper nouns like the author's name

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which two things should you use to support you in your writing?

      Correct answer: the notes from my plan
      Correct answer: the success criteria
      my memory
      my opinion

      Q2.
      True or false? You should only use simple sentences when writing.

      Correct Answer: False, false

      Q3.
      What is coordination?

      a simple sentence containing one idea
      Correct answer: the joining of two simple sentences that carry equal importance
      the joining of a simple sentence with a second idea of lower importance

      Q4.
      What is subordination?

      Correct answer: the joining of a simple sentence with a second idea of lower importance
      the joining of two simple sentences that carry equal importance
      a simple sentence containing one idea

      Q5.
      Which of the following conjunctions are used to form a compound sentence?

      Correct answer: and
      because
      so
      Correct answer: or
      Correct answer: but

      Q6.
      Which of the following conjunctions are used to stretch a main clause and form an adverbial complex sentence?

      and
      but
      Correct answer: when
      Correct answer: so
      Correct answer: that

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Writing the first section of an information text about an author, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...