Curriculum Planning Guidelines – Progression Points – Familiarisation tools
English – Writing (Level 3)
Students write narrative and imaginative texts, in both print and electronic form of typically one or
two paragraphs of three or four sentences in a logical order describing familiar topics. They write
simple and some compound sentences that join two events by using appropriate conjunctions. They
are starting to use the features of character, plot and setting in their narratives. They select the most
appropriate, nouns, adjectives and verbs to convey a message and can write in a way to tell
someone who was not there what happened. They use full stops, question marks and exclamation
marks correctly most of the time. They spell most one-syllable words with regular spelling patterns
and make plausible attempts at one-syllable words with irregular spelling patterns.
Students write narratives, imaginative and informative texts, in both print and electronic form of
three paragraphs that describe a recent experience, with the events written in an appropriate
sequence. Reference is made to characters and to setting. They write a paragraph that expresses
their point of view and correctly sequences the main ideas and at least one supporting reason.
They write compound sentences that join two events and use verb tenses correctly. Their writing
uses adjectives, verbs, pronouns and nouns appropriately and is punctuated correctly using full
stops, question marks and exclamation marks. They correctly use quotation marks and commas
most of the time. They spell frequently used words that have less regular letter patterns including
silent letters.
Students write narratives, imaginative, informative and descriptive texts and explanations, in print
and electronic form of more than typically three paragraphs that are logically ordered. Explicit
reference to characters and to setting is made. Their narrative writing includes some reference to the
plot and how it evolves. Their writing takes account of different audiences. They write texts that
give their point of view about a familiar topic identifying two or three main ideas and the
subordinate ideas that relate to each of them. Their writing uses adjectives, verbs, adverbs,
pronouns and nouns appropriately and is punctuated correctly most of the time. They spell
correctly two-syllable words that have regular spelling and the first/second vowel unstressed and
they predict how to spell unfamiliar two-syllable words of these types.
At Level 3, students write texts containing several logically ordered paragraphs that express
opinions and include ideas and information about familiar topics. They write narratives
which include characters, setting and plot. They order information and sequence events using
some detail or illustrative evidence, and they express a point of view providing some
information and supporting detail. They combine verbal and visual elements in the texts they
produce. They meet the needs of audiences by including appropriate background
information.
They write a variety of simple and compound sentences and use verb tenses correctly. They
use punctuation to support meaning, including exclamation marks and quotation marks, and
accurately use full stops, commas and question marks. They use vocabulary appropriate to
context and spell most one- and two-syllable words with regular spelling patterns, and
frequently used words which have less regular spelling patterns. They use sound and visual
patterns when attempting to spell unfamiliar words.
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