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EAL Nexus resource
Explanation writing
Colour cards
Subject:
English
Age groups:
8 – 11, 12 – 14, 15 – 16, 17 - 18
Topic:
Non-fiction writing
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes.
Source | This resource was originally developed by Charlotte Hurley and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.
©British Council 2014
topic
sentence
technical
language
causal words
and phrases
paragraph
logical steps
formal
language
passive voice
time words
and phrases
phases
components
process
present tense
diagram
past tense
illustration
The first sentence of
a paragraph that
introduces the topic
or subject of that
paragraph
Words and phrases
used to connect two
things that happen
where the second
part happens as a
result of the first
Language used when
conversational
language (such as
slang) isn’t suitable.
Standard English is used,
with correct grammar
and punctuation.
A drawing that
accompanies writing
to help understanding
- often labelled and
showing how
something works
Drawings or pictures
that show items
mentioned in the text
Smaller parts of a
larger machine or
electrical item
The separate
stages of a process
/ explanation
Used when the focus
is on the action. It is
not important or not
known who or what is
performing the
action
Clear stages of the
process ordered in
a sensible way
Words and phrases
to show when and
in what order events
happen
Language relating
to the subject of
the explanation
paragraph
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.
A verb tense used
to show an action
that is happening
now
A verb tense used
to show an action
that is happening
now
A series of actions,
changes or steps
that lead to a result
A series of actions,
changes or steps
that lead to a result
After a plant’s fruit is
ripened, its seeds are
spread.
Motorcycle engines
work in the same
way that car engines
do.
piston, cylinder
block, engine;
Petals, stem, stamen
This causes…
when… therefore…
because… so… as
a result…
Butterflies go through several changes… ___
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
The female lays an eggs…_________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Larvae emerge from the egg… ____________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
The caterpillar makes a … _________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
1…………………
2 ………………...
3 …………………
‘is placed’ rather
than ‘put’
‘elevate’ rather
than ‘lift’
‘manufacture’
rather than ‘make’
The wheel is turned
The oxygen is carried
The engine is started
At first… initially…
before… during… at
the same time … later
on…after… finally…
eventually…
The heart pumps…
The plant grows …
This caused the food
supply to run out.
When the volcano
erupted…
Bike: pedal, chain,
spokes, wheels,
handlebars, seat.
Life cycle of a frog:
egg-laying, fertilisation,
hatching, tadpoles
form, limbs develop…
Build-up of pressure
Magma moves to the
surface of the volcano
Gases in magma froth
Magma and gases
are released suddenly
Eruption occurs