This project and its actions were made possible due to co-financing by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals Explanation writing Black and white cards Subject:English Age groups:8 – 11, 12 – 14, 15 – 16, Topic:Non-fiction writing EAL Nexus resource Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. © British Council 2014 Source | This resource was originally developed by Charlotte Hurley and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.

Topic sentence Explanation: key term

Technical language Explanation: key term

Causal words and phrases Explanation: key term

Paragraph Explanation: key term

Logical steps Explanation: key term

Formal language Explanation: key term

Passive voice Explanation: key term

Time words and phrases Explanation: key term

Phases Explanation: key term

Components Explanation: key term

Process Explanation: key term

Present tense Explanation: key term

Diagram Explanation: key term

Past tense Explanation: key term

Illustration Explanation: key term

The first sentence of a paragraph that introduces the topic or subject of that paragraph Definition

Words and phrases used to connect two things that happen where the second part happens as a result of the first Definition

Language used when conversational language (such as slang) isn’t suitable. Standard English is used, with correct grammar and punctuation. Definition

A drawing that accompanies writing to help understanding - often labelled and showing how something works Definition

Drawings or pictures that show items mentioned in the text Definition

Smaller parts of a larger machine or electrical item Definition

The separate stages of a process / explanation Definition

Used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known who or what is performing the action Definition

Clear stages of the process ordered in a sensible way Definition

Words and phrases to show when and in what order events happen Definition

Language relating to the subject of the explanation paragraph Definition

A part of a piece of writing that usually deals with one subject, that begins on a new line, and that is made up of one or more sentences. Definition

A verb tense used to show an action that is happening now Definition

A verb tense used to show an action that is happening now Definition

A series of actions, changes or steps that lead to a result Definition

 After a plant’s fruit is ripened, its seeds are spread.  Motorcycle engines work in the same way that car engines do. Example

 piston, cylinder block, engine;  Petals, stem, stamen Example

This causes… when… therefore… because… so… as a result… Example

Butterflies go through several changes… ___ ___________________________________________ The female lays an eggs…_________________ ___________________________________________ Larvae emerge from the egg… ____________ ___________________________________________ The caterpillar makes a … _________________ ___________________________________________

1………………… 2 ………………... 3 ………………… Example

 ‘is placed’ rather than ‘put’  ‘elevate’ rather than ‘lift’  ‘manufacture’ rather than ‘make’ Example

 The wheel is turned  The oxygen is carried  The engine is started Example

At first… initially… before… during… at the same time … later on…after… finally… eventually… Example

 The heart pumps…  The plant grows … Example

 This caused the food supply to run out.  When the volcano erupted… Example

Bike: pedal, chain, spokes, wheels, handlebars, seat. Example

Life cycle of a frog: egg-laying, fertilisation, hatching, tadpoles form, limbs develop… Example

 Build-up of pressure  Magma moves to the surface of the volcano  Gases in magma froth  Magma and gases are released suddenly  Eruption occurs Example