Welcome, Super Writer!

Have you ever noticed that we write in different ways depending on who we are writing to? Writing a birthday card to a friend feels very different from writing a list of facts about dinosaurs! This is because we write for different purposes.

In these notes, we will learn how to choose the right way to write so that our readers understand exactly what we want to say. Whether you are telling a secret, teaching a fact, or giving an order, you will learn the best way to do it!

What is a "Purpose"?

The purpose of your writing is simply the reason why you are writing. Before you pick up your pencil, it helps to ask: "Why am I writing this?"

Here are the four main reasons we write in Key Stage 1:

  1. To tell a story: To entertain people with adventures. (You can learn more about this in the Narratives chapter!)
  2. To give information: To teach the reader facts about the real world.
  3. To tell someone what to do: To give instructions or commands.
  4. To send a message: To talk to someone who isn't there, like in a letter or a card.

Writing to Give Information

When we write to give information, we are writing non-fiction. This means everything we write is true! Our goal is to be clear and helpful.

Top Tips for Information Writing:

  • Use a Title: Tell the reader what the writing is about straight away.
  • Use Statements: These are sentences that tell the reader a fact. Example: "The sun is a very big star."
  • Keep it clear: Use nouns (naming words) and adjectives (describing words) so the reader can picture what you are talking about.

Writing to Give Instructions

Sometimes we write to tell someone how to do something, like how to make a sandwich or how to play a game. For this, we use a special type of sentence called a command.

What is a Command?
A command is a "bossy" sentence. it usually starts with an action word (a verb).
Example: "Wash your hands." or "Put the bread on the plate."

Quick Review: The Four Sentence Types

To write for different purposes, you need to use the right kind of sentence. The rules say there are four main types:

  • Statements: Sentences that tell you something. ("It is sunny today.")
  • Questions: Sentences that ask something. They always need a question mark (?). ("Is it sunny today?")
  • Commands: Sentences that tell you to do something. ("Go outside in the sun.")
  • Exclamations: Special sentences that show surprise. For your tests, these must start with 'What' or 'How' and end with an exclamation mark (!). ("What a sunny day it is!")

Making Your Writing Fit the Purpose

Depending on why you are writing, you might use different "tools" from your English toolkit:

1. Letters and Messages

When writing to a friend, you might use the word "I" a lot. You might use questions to ask how they are. Example: "How are you today?"

2. Fact Files

When writing about real events or animals, you use expanded noun phrases to give detail. Instead of saying "the frog," you could write "the small, green frog." This gives the reader more information.

3. Signs and Labels

Sometimes writing needs to be very short! A sign might just be one or two words to give a clear instruction. Example: "Keep out!"

Did you know?
Even though we write for different reasons, we always need to use a capital letter at the start of our sentences and a punctuation mark (like a full stop) at the end!

How to Plan Your Writing

Don't worry if you aren't sure where to start. Good writers always follow these steps:

  1. Plan: Think about who you are writing to and why. Write down a few "key words" (important words) you want to use.
  2. Write: Put your ideas into sentences. Check that you are using the right type of sentence (statements, questions, or commands).
  3. Check: Read your writing out loud. Does it make sense? Did you remember your capital letters and full stops?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mixing up "What" and "How": Remember, a real exclamation for your school work should start with What or How. "What a big dog!" is an exclamation. "The dog is big!" is just a very excited statement!

Forgetting the reader: If you are writing instructions, make sure they are in the right order. If you put "Eat the cake" before "Bake the cake," your reader will be very confused!

Key Takeaways

  • Purpose is the reason why we write.
  • Use statements to give facts and commands to give instructions.
  • Questions are great for letters and messages.
  • Always re-read your work to make sure it does the job you wanted it to do!

Note: To learn more about writing stories or poems, check out the chapters on "Narratives" and "Writing Poetry"!