Non chronological reports

NON CHRONOLOGICAL REPORTS

A non-chronological report is a piece of text that isn't written in time order. You have to have these things in order to write a non-chronological report. Opening sentence, Make sure your opening sentence or paragraph lets the reader know what your report is going to be about. Avoid saying, ‘My report is going to be about….’, or ‘I am writing a report about….Notes for the report, Organise your notes into main ideas and write a paragraph for each main ideaSub headings, It is a good idea to use sub-headings for each new part of your subject It also helps you to remember to use paragraphs!Ideas, Make sure you put your ideas in a logical order. Don’t move backwards and forwards from one idea to another. Talk about ‘people’ and ‘they’. Try not to use personal pronouns, such as I or me. Use formal and impersonal language. You will need to be business-like.Info, Stick to the facts! Try to use some descriptive phrases to add interest to your report.How to end it, Your last/closing paragraph should sum up your report and may recap key points

present tense

third person

facts / examples

formal writing style

detailed descriptions

include topic words

purpose

TO INFORM

GIVES FACTUAL INFORMATION ON A SPECIFIC TOPIC

THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE EASY TO FIND AND UNDERSTAND

examples

Non fiction book (e.g. geography) Letter Catalogue Information leaflet Magazine article Topic based school project Tourist guide book Encyclopaedia entry HISTORY – reports on historical figures SCIENCE – characteristics and habitats of plants and animals GEOGRAPHY – reports on different places and geographical

features e.g. rivers, mountains

structure

The title of the report is the subject e.g. Roman Housing.

The first paragraph introduces the subject of the whole report.

New paragraphs are used for each fact or description, often with sub-headings.

It is NOT written in chronological order. It is often written in continuous present tense

(although historical reports are written in the past tense).

Ends with a paragraph summarising key points

language features

Present tense (except historical reports) Third person Formal tone Subject-specific vocabulary Each paragraph starts with a general statement and

then goes on to give more detail Describes References information sources

Other features

Pictures Diagrams Tables Charts Graphs Glossary

Planning your report

What do you remember

inspirationFeatures of Non-Chronological Reports (Anne Hayton)how to Care for a Gerbil (Emily Rich) Non-Chronological Reports (Leanne Drummond)