Non-chronological report

Purpose

To present information in a clear and objective way To provide a source of information/ reference

Audience

Someone who wants to know about something

Audience is often defined by interest rather than by age

Forms

Reference texts e.g. encyclopaedia Text books

Typical structure

Clear/factual/in logical order Opening general statement or paragraph Paragraphs begin with a topic sentence Text is organised into categories and sub-headings Other information provided to support the text, such as images or charts

Typical language features

Formal and impersonal Present tense to describe observable facts Generalisation in opening statement Detailed description where necessary – as well as short explanations Frequent use of expanded noun phrases ‘crests of long feathers on the sides of their head’ Technical vocabulary Pronouns used to refer back to previous information. ‘Penguins…. they’ Passive voice used to provide objectivity

Non-chronological report

TEXT STRUCTURE

General opening statement

Paragraphs may have sub heading to support classification of information

Paragraphs start with a main idea/ topic sentence to categorise information

Concluding statement refers back to the introduction and may look to future implications

Penguins

Penguins are sea birds that cannot fly. There are 16 different types, or species, but they all have common features and habitats.

All penguins have short, thick feathers. They have white fronts and black, dark blue or grey backs. Some penguins have crests of long feathers on the sides of their heads and patches of brightly coloured feathers on their short, thick necks. Like most seabirds, they have webbed feet.

Penguins spend most of their lives at sea. They swim and dive with speed and skill. Penguins catch and eat fish, squid and krill. They come ashore at certain times of the year to mate and raise their young.

Most penguins make nests on the ground or in grass; some lay their eggs in tunnels. The female Emperor Penguin lays only one egg, and the male keeps it warm by holding it on his feet under folds of skin.

Some penguins are endangered. Pollution is damaging their environment and fishing fleets are catching their food. It is likely that there will be fewer species in the future if we don’t protect their ecosystem.

LANGUAGE FEATURES

Third person

Generic, so penguins not Percy the Penguin

Expanded noun phrases give precise information

Present tense describes how things are

Precise subject technical vocabulary – facts and figures