Cambridge Primary Checkpoint 0844 · Topic 9 of 10

Writing non-fiction

Writing for a purpose: persuasive texts, reports, instructions, explanations and letters, each with its own features.

📌 Key points

Before you write, decide your purpose (why) and audience (who will read it). These decide your tone.
Persuasive writing: a clear opinion, reasons with evidence, emotive words, rhetorical questions and a strong conclusion.
A non-chronological report gives information about a topic in sections with subheadings, usually in the present tense.
Instructions: a title, a list of what you need, numbered steps in order and imperative verbs.
A newspaper report has a headline, an opening paragraph saying who, what, where and when, and quotations. It uses the past tense.
A formal letter: Dear Sir or Madam … Yours faithfully, or Dear Mr Khan … Yours sincerely.
An informal letter or email to a friend can use chatty language and contractions (I'm, can't).
Use connectives to organise ideas: Firstly, Furthermore, However, Therefore, In conclusion.

Write the opening of a persuasive letter asking your head teacher for a longer lunch break.

Purpose: to persuade. Audience: the head teacher, so use formal language.
Start formally: 'Dear Mrs Ahmed,'
State your request clearly and politely in the first sentence, with a reason.
Answer, for example: Dear Mrs Ahmed, I am writing to ask you to make our lunch break fifteen minutes longer, as I believe it would help every pupil to learn better.

💡 Test tip

Before you write, note PAT: Purpose, Audience and Text type. Then match your language and layout to them.

Test yourself8 questions from a bank of 21. A new mix every time.