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      Exploring cohesive devices in a model non-chronological report about an insect

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify cohesive devices that are used in a non-chronological report about an insect.

      Key learning points

      1. Text cohesion refers to how a text flows together to maintain the interest of the reader.
      2. We can improve text cohesion using cohesive devices that connect information within and between sentences.
      3. Compound and complex sentences can be used to join linked information in one sentence.
      4. Fronted adverbials can be used to show links between information in adjacent sentences.
      5. There are different types of complex sentence and fronted adverbials, which serve different purposes.

      Keywords

      • Text cohesion - how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose

      • Compound sentence - a sentence formed of two main clauses and a co-ordinating conjunction

      • Complex sentence - a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause

      • Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma

      Common misconception

      Pupils may have difficulty recognising that there are different types of complex sentence.

      Different types of complex sentence contain different types of subordinate clause, each starting with a different type of word.

      Teacher tip

      Throughout the lesson, relate the use of different sentence structures to the improved text cohesion that they bring - they allow us to join ideas together to give the text coherence.

      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.
      Which of the following expanded noun phrases could replace 'large mandibles' in a non-chronological report?

      terrifying, gaping jaws
      Correct answer: over-sized jaws
      Correct answer: anter-like jaws
      jaws as fearsome as a lion's mouth

      Q2.
      Which of these sentences contain parenthesis?

      Correct answer: The stag beetle (an insect) is the UK's largest beetle.
      The female stag beetle has normal-sized jaws.
      Correct answer: The stag beetle (the UK's largest beetle) lives in south east England.
      Correct answer: The stag beetle lives in south east England (particularly in London).

      Q3.
      Which of the following features would we not find in a non-chronological report?

      subheadings
      Correct answer: a short poem describing the subject
      Correct answer: dramatic descriptions of how the author sees the subject
      conclusion

      Q4.
      Which of these features help the reader find information in a non-chronological report?

      the conclusion
      Correct answer: subheadings
      paragraphs grouped around a theme
      the title

      Q5.
      Where in a non-chronological report are we most likely to find specific information about different aspects of the subject?

      Correct answer: the sections with subheadings
      the introduction
      the conclusion

      Q6.
      Which of these sentences could belong in a paragraph called 'Where are stag beetles found?'?

      Stag beetles are an endangered species.
      Correct answer: Adult stag beetles prefer to live in sunny oak woodlands.
      Stag beetles are now protected by law.
      Correct answer: The stag beetle larva lives underground for years.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Why do we want to improve text cohesion in our writing?

      Correct answer: so that the text serves its purpose and informs the reader well
      Correct answer: so that the text flows together well
      Correct answer: so that we can show the reader how different pieces of information fit together
      so that the text is longer

      Q2.
      Which of these would we find in a compound sentence?

      Correct answer: at least two main clauses
      a subordinate clause
      Correct answer: a co-ordinating conjunction
      a relative pronoun

      Q3.
      Which co-ordinating conjunction would best join the following two sentences? 'Male stag beetles have impressive mandibles. They do not use them for eating.'

      and
      Correct answer: but
      because
      or

      Q4.
      Match each type of complex sentence to the type of word that begins its subordinate clause.

      Correct Answer:relative complex sentence,relative pronoun (who, which, whose ...)

      relative pronoun (who, which, whose ...)

      Correct Answer:adverbial complex sentence,subordinating conjunction (as, because, while ...)

      subordinating conjunction (as, because, while ...)

      Correct Answer:non-finite complex sentence,-ing form of verb (using, allowing, measuring ...)

      -ing form of verb (using, allowing, measuring ...)

      Q5.
      Which is the best definition of a fronted adverbial?

      a sentence starter
      Correct answer: a sentence starter followed by a comma that can be a word, phrase or clause
      a word, phrase or clause followed by a comma

      Q6.
      Match each type of fronted adverbial to the correct examples.

      Correct Answer:formal fronted adverbial,However, ... / In addition to this, ...

      However, ... / In addition to this, ...

      Correct Answer:fronted adverbial of cause,Due to this, ... / As a result of this, ...

      Due to this, ... / As a result of this, ...

      Correct Answer:viewpoint fronted adverbial,Amazingly, ... / Of particular interest, ...

      Amazingly, ... / Of particular interest, ...


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