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      Planning an explanation text about mummification

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can plan two sections of an explanation text about mummification.

      Key learning points

      1. Notes should not be written in full sentences and bullet points can be used to order notes.
      2. The main paragraphs in an explanation text follow a clear, chronological order.
      3. Fronted adverbials of cause and ordering fronted adverbials are used at the start of sentences for cohesion.
      4. A subheading signals part of a text and should stand out from the rest of the text.
      5. The plan should include subject-specific vocabulary.

      Keywords

      • Subject-specific vocabulary - vocabulary used when writing about a particular subject

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

      • Notes - written out of full sentences

      Common misconception

      Planning needs to be detailed and include full sentences.

      Planning should only have keywords and be written in note-form using bullet points.

      Teacher tip

      Pupils can practise writing full sentences using their notes on mini-whiteboards ahead of writing this section.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      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.
      What does a full sentence need to include?

      Correct answer: a full stop
      Correct answer: a capital letter
      Correct answer: a verb
      a comma

      Q2.
      Which of these needs capital letters?

      Correct answer: egyptian
      mummification
      process
      read

      Q3.
      In which sentence is the comma used correctly?

      First the body was washed with water or , wine.
      Correct answer: First, the body was washed with water or wine.
      First the body, was washed with water or wine.
      First, the body was washed, with water or wine.

      Q4.
      In which section of an explanation text about mummification would you find the following sentence? 'The body was tightly wrapped in linen.'

      Introduction
      How the body was prepared
      Correct answer: How the body was wrapped
      Conclusion

      Q5.
      What does 'chronological order' mean?

      Correct answer: events organised in the order in which they happen or happened in time
      events organised in alphabetical order
      events organised in random order

      Q6.
      Which of these fronted adverbials shows the cause and effect of something?

      Interestingly,
      In addition,
      Correct answer: As a result,
      Next,

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      True or false? Full sentences are used in a plan.

      Correct Answer: false, False

      Q2.
      Which of these are subject-specific vocabulary for an explanation text on mummification?

      Correct answer: corpse
      Correct answer: afterlife
      history
      Correct answer: embalmer
      person

      Q3.
      Which of the following are found in a plan for writing?

      full sentences with capital letters and full stops
      paragraphs
      Correct answer: subject-specific vocabulary
      Correct answer: bullet points
      speech sentences

      Q4.
      Which of these is an example of an ordering fronted adverbial?

      Interestingly,
      Also,
      Correct answer: Next,
      However,

      Q5.
      Which fronted adverbial could link the following two sentences? 'The body is cleaned with water and wine.' and 'Bacteria is removed from the corpse.'

      However,
      As quick as a flash,
      Correct answer: As a result,
      Surprisingly,

      Q6.
      Put these steps of the mummification process in chronological order.

      1 - cleaning the body
      2 - removing the internal organs
      3 - covering the body in natron salt
      4 - covering the body in oil
      5 - wrapping the corpse in linen
      6 - placing the body in the sarcophagus

      To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Planning an explanation text about mummification, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...