Information and explanation texts

Information texts give facts clearly. A report describes a subject (⟦Owls are birds of prey.⟧); an explanation tells how or why something happens (⟦We have day and night because the Earth spins.⟧); instructions tell you how to do something (⟦Fill the kettle with water.⟧); a recount tells what happened.

Key facts

  • Reports: a title, an opening that says what the subject is, paragraphs with subheadings, facts in the present tense, technical words, and often pictures with captions.
  • Explanations: steps in order and cause-and-effect words: ⟦because⟧, ⟦so⟧, ⟦as a result⟧, ⟦therefore⟧, ⟦this is why⟧.
  • Instructions: a goal, a list of what you need, numbered steps in order, commands (⟦Cut⟧, ⟦Fold⟧, ⟦Mix⟧) and time words (⟦first⟧, ⟦next⟧, ⟦then⟧, ⟦finally⟧).
  • Recounts: events in the order they happened, in the past tense, with time words: ⟦Last Tuesday, our class visited the museum.⟧
  • Information texts are clear and factual: no opinions, the third person (⟦they⟧, ⟦it⟧), and a subheading that tells you what each part is about.

Worked examples

Example 1

What type of text is it? ⟦A rainbow forms when sunlight passes through raindrops. The light bends and splits into colours.⟧

  1. It tells us how a rainbow forms.
  2. So it is an explanation.

Answer: an explanation

Example 2

Choose a subheading: ⟦Hedgehogs eat beetles, worms and slugs.⟧

  1. Every sentence is about food.
  2. ⟦What do hedgehogs eat?⟧ sums it up.

Answer: ⟦What do hedgehogs eat?⟧

Example 3

Write it as an instruction: ⟦You need to wash your hands.⟧

  1. Instructions are commands.
  2. Start with the verb: ⟦Wash your hands.⟧

Answer: ⟦Wash your hands.⟧