Writing for a Purpose
Guidance notes for the four
writing purposes in KS1 & 2
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Writing to entertain (KS1)
Text Types Text Features Other Style Ideas
Stories (including Time sequenced Focus on oral work
re-tellings) Begin to differentiate first
Descriptions between past and Use opportunities to
Poetry present tense to suit reading own work
purpose aloud
In-character/role
Grammar and Sentences
Use coordinating conjunctions to link two main ideas,
They pulled and pulled at the turnip to get it out.
Use noun phrases which add detail to description,
very old grandma, brave woodchopper
Use the progressive form for verbs,
Goldilocks was walking through the woods.
Use exclamation sentences where appropriate,
What big eyes you have, Grandma!
Adverbials Conjunctions
First Then Next After Later and but so or when
The next day…
Punctuation Content
Use finger spaces between words
Use capital letters & full stops to mark sentences
Use capital letter for first person ‘I’
Use apostrophes to mark contractions, e.g. didn’t
Use exclamation marks, particularly in relation to
speech
Begin to use inverted commas to mark direct
speech where appropriate.
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Writing to entertain (LKS2)
Text Types Text Features Other Style Ideas
Stories Detailed description Opportunities for
Descriptions Use paragraphs to comparing different
organize in time forms of past tense
Poetry (progressive and
sequence
Characters/settings simple)
Grammar and Sentences
Use fronted adverbials to show how/when an event occurs,
Without a sound… After a moment…
Use expanded noun phrases to add detail & description
...the dark gloomy cupboard under the stairs...
Use subordinate clauses to add detail or context
Although Theseus was scared, he prepared to enter the maze.
Use nouns & pronouns for clarity and cohesion
They crept into Minos’s great labyrinth. Inside the maze....
Adverbials Conjunctions
Soon Meanwhile As... if when because while
The next day… Later… as until whenever once
Carefully Without a thought...
Punctuation Content
Use full punctuation for direct speech, including
punctuation within and before inverted commas,
Mum asked, “Will you be home for tea?”
Secure use of apostrophes for possession,
including for plural nouns.
Use commas after fronted adverbials and
subordinate clauses
May begin to use dashes for emphasis
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Writing to entertain (UKS2)
Text Types Text Features Other Style Ideas
Narrative Detailed description Use a range of tenses
Descriptions Use paragraphs to to indicate changes in
organise in time timing, sequence, etc.
Poetry
sequence
Characters/settings
Grammar and Sentences
Use subordinate clauses to add detail or context, including in varied
positions.
Although Theseus was scared, he prepared to enter the maze.
Theseus, although he was scared, prepared to enter the maze.
Use relative clauses to add detail or context,
Amy grabbed the torch, which she’d strapped to her belt, quickly.
Use a wide range of sentence structures to add interest
Adverbials Conjunctions
Meanwhile Later that day Silently if when because while
Within moments All night Nearby
Under the treetops Never before as until whenever once
-ing openers -ed openers since although unless rather
Punctuation Content
Use brackets for incidentals,
Amy saw Katie (her best friend) standing outside.
Use dashes to emphasise additional information,
The girl was distraught - she cried for hours.
Use colons to add further detail in a new clause,
The girl was distraught: she cried for hours.
Use semi-colons to join related clauses,
Some think this is awful; others disagree.
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Writing to inform (KS1)
Text Types Text Features Other Style Ideas
Recount Appropriate use of Could use a writing
Letter past and present frame to structure
tense sections
Instructions
May include images
Grammar and Sentences
Use coordinating conjunctions to link two main ideas,
Badgers sleep in the day and look for food at night.
Use subordinating conjunctions in the middle of sentences,
Badgers can dig well because they have sharp claws
Use noun phrases which inform,
sharp claws, black fur
Use commas to separate items in a list,
You will need flour, eggs, sugar and water.
Use exclamation sentences where appropriate,
What a fantastic time we all had!
Adverbials Conjunctions
First Firstly Next After Later and but so or when
if because
Punctuation Content
Use finger spaces between words
Use capital letters & full stops to mark sentences
Use question mark,
Did you know…?
Use apostrophes to mark possession,
A badger’s home is underground
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Writing to inform (LKS2)
Text Types Text Features Other Style Ideas
Explanation Paragraphs used to May be built around
Recount group related ideas a key image
Letter Subheadings to label Use techniques to
Biography content highlight key words
Newspaper article (bold, underline, etc.)
Grammar and Sentences
Use subordinating conjunctions to join clauses, including as openers,
Although they have a fierce reputation, the Vikings weren’t all bad.
Use expanded noun phrases to inform,
A tall dark-haired man was seen leaving the scene.
Use commas to separate adjectives in a list,
You will need flour, eggs, sugar and water.
Use relative clauses to add further detail
We went to Downing Street, where the Prime Minster
lives, before visiting the Houses of Parliament.
Begin to use present perfect tense to place events in time,
This week we have visited the Science Museum.
Adverbials Conjunctions
First Firstly Before After Later when before after while
Soon Also In addition However because if
Punctuation Content
Consolidate four main punctuation marks (. , ! ?)
Use capital letters for proper nouns
Use commas to mark fronted adverbials
After lunch, we went into the museum
Use commas to mark subordinate clauses
When he was a boy, Dahl did not like reading.
Use inverted commas for direct speech
Use bullet points to list items
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Writing to inform (UKS2)
Text Types Text Features Other Style Ideas
Report Paragraphs used to May include a
Recount group related ideas glossary
Biography Heading/subheadings Sections may contain
Newspaper article Use of technical more than one
Essay vocabulary paragraph
Grammar and Sentences
Use subordinating conjunctions in varied positions,
The Polar Bear, although it is large, can move at great speed.
Use expanded noun phrases to inform,
...a tall dark-haired man with a bright-red cap...
Use relative clauses to add further detail
We went to Downing Street, where the Prime Minster
lives, before visiting the Houses of Parliament.
Begin to use passive voice to remain formal or detached,
The money was stolen from the main branch.
Begin to use colons to link related clauses,
England was a good country to invade: it had plenty of useful land.
Adverbials Conjunctions
Meanwhile At first After when before after while
Furthermore Despite As a result because if although as
Consequently Due to For example
Punctuation Content
Use brackets or dashes to explain technical
vocabulary
Use semi-colons to punctuate complex lists,
including when using bullet points
Use colons to introduce lists or sections
Use brackets or dashes to mark relative clauses
Secure use of commas to mark clauses, including
opening subordinating clauses
Begin to use colons & semi-colons to mark
clauses
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Writing to persuade (LKS2)
Text Types Text Features Other Style Ideas
nd
Advertising Use of 2 person Link to oracy, esp. for
Letter Planned repetition speeches
Facts & Statistics Use of colour and
Speech
Adjectives for positive images, esp. for
Poster description advertising
Grammar and Sentences
Use imperative verbs to convey urgency,
Buy it today! Listen very carefully....
Use rhetorical questions to engage the reader,
Do you want to have an amazing day out?
Use noun phrases to add detail and description,
Our fantastic resort has amazing facilities for everyone
Use relative clauses to provide additional enticement
Our hotel, which has 3 swimming pools, overlooks
a beautiful beach
Adverbials Conjunctions
Firstly Also In addition if because unless so
However On the other hand and but even if when
Therefore In conclusion
Punctuation Content
Ensure use of capital letters for proper nouns
Use ? ! for rhetorical / exclamatory sentences
Use commas to mark relative clauses
Use commas to make fronted adverbials and
subordinate clauses
After your visit, you won’t want to leave.
Once you’ve tasted our delicious sandwiches,
you’ll be coming back for more!
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Writing to persuade (UKS2)
Text Types Text Features Other Style Ideas
nd
Advertising Use of 2 person Link to oracy, esp. for
Personal pronouns speeches
Letter
Planned repetition Use of colour and
Speech Facts & Statistics
images, esp. for
Campaign Hyperbole advertising
Grammar and Sentences
Use imperative and modal verbs to convey urgency,
Buy it today! This product will transform your life..
Use adverbials to convey sense of certainty,,
Surely we can all agree…?
Use short sentences for emphasis
This has to stop! Vote for change!
Use of the subjunctive form for formal structure
If I were you, I would...
Adverbials Conjunctions
Firstly Furthermore In addition if because although unless
However Nevertheless Therefore since even if rather whereas
Consequently In conclusion in order to whenever whether
Punctuation Content
Use ? ! for rhetorical / exclamatory sentences
Use colons and semi-colons to list features,
attractions or arguments
Use brackets or dashes for parenthesis, including
for emphasis
This is our chance—our only chance—to make a
difference.
Use semi-colons for structure repetition,
Bring your friends; bring your children; bring the
whole family!
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Writing to discuss (UKS2)
Text Types Text Features Other Style Ideas
Balanced argument Appropriate use of Use paragraphs to
cohesive devices structure arguments
Newspaper article Use of subjunctive
Review form where needed Maintain formal /
impersonal tone
Grammar and Sentences
Use modal verbs to convey degrees of probability,
It could be argued… Some might say...
Use relative clauses to provide supporting detail
The rainforest, which covers almost a third of South America…
Use adverbials to provide cohesion across the text,
Despite its flaws… On the other hand…
Use expanded noun phrases to describe in detail
The dramatic performance by the amateur group was…
Begin to use passive voice to maintain impersonal tone,
The film was made using CGI graphics
Adverbials Conjunctions
Firstly Furthermore In addition if because although unless
However Nevertheless Therefore since even if rather whereas
Consequently In conclusion in order to whenever whether
Punctuation Content
Use brackets or dashes for parenthesis, including
for emphasis
This performance—the first by such a young
gymnast—was a masterpiece!
Use semi-colons for to mark related clauses,
Some argue … ; others say…
Use commas to mark relative clauses
Use colons and semi-colons to punctuate
complex lists
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