1. 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 Colour cards Subject:English Age groups:8 – 11, 12 – 14, 15 – 16, 17 - 18 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.

2. topic sentence

3. technical language

4. causal words and phrases

5. paragraph

6. logical steps

7. formal language

8. passive voice

9. time words and phrases

10. phases

11. components

12. process

13. present tense

14. diagram

15. past tense

16. illustration

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

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

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

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

21. Drawings or pictures that show items mentioned in the text

22. Smaller parts of a larger machine or electrical item

23. The separate stages of a process / explanation

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

25. Clear stages of the process ordered in a sensible way

26. Words and phrases to show when and in what order events happen

27. Language relating to the subject of the explanation paragraph

28. 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.

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

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

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

34.  piston, cylinder block, engine;  Petals, stem, stamen

35. This causes… when… therefore… because… so… as a result…

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

37. 1………………… 2 ………………... 3 …………………

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

39.  The wheel is turned  The oxygen is carried  The engine is started

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

41.  The heart pumps…  The plant grows …

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

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

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

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