Assessment for Learning Source Sheets (explanation texts): for teachers creating success criteria, self assessment sheets, Records of Achievement sheets and target setting.

Adapted from the National Literacy Strategy, the Renewed Literacy Framework and related documents.

Purpose of explanation texts

I know that explanation texts explain how something works, explain a process or answer a question. 
I know that explanation texts answer ‘how’ or ‘why’ questions and include causes of things, reasons for things and motives. (I know that explanation texts do not just describe something without giving reasons.)

I know that explanation texts can be adapted or combined with other text types depending on the audience and purpose – that is, there may be elements of a recount, report or discussion in an explanation, and elements of explanation texts may form part of a report, discussion or recount.

Typical text structure of explanation texts

Text Structure - my success criteria	1	2	3	4	

I create a good title. (I think about whether it would be a good idea to phrase the title as a question beginning with How… or Why….)					
My introduction:
•	gives a clear general statement which will be explained in the next paragraph(s) 
•	may say why this matter is important/interesting/unusual					
In my next paragraph(s):
•	I include a series of steps (in a logical order) to explain how or why something happens. 
•	I continue to explain step-by-step until the final position is reached.
•	Where appropriate, I include: what you need; how it works; why it works; when and where it works; what it is used for
•	I include helpful diagrams/illustrations where appropriate
•	I include some description to give detail when appropriate to interest the reader and/or help them understand more clearly.					
If appropriate, I include a final paragraph to…
•	relate the explanation to the reader 
•	mention other things or processes that work in a similar way
•	suggest what the reader might do/read next
•	or give a personal opinion					
If I have used technical vocabulary, I include a glossary					

Typical language features of explanation texts

Language features - my success criteria	1	2	3	4	

In the text:
•	I refer to things in general not specific examples
•	I use words like some, most, often, usually, rarely
•	I make general comments and then sometimes give specific examples which support these comments
•	I think about how to draw the reader in by deciding where it would be good to…
o	ask the reader a question
o	use an exclamation
o	make a personal comment
o	use phrases like Strange as it may seem…; Not many people know that…					
The verbs I use:
•	are mostly present tense verbs					
The connectives I use:
•	include causal connectives (e.g. because, so, this causes)
•	and include logical connectives (e.g. therefore) and sequence/time connectives (e.g. while, after that, next, several months later)					
I try to use some conditionals (would, could, might, If…then) where appropriate.					

I try to use an impersonal style. 					
I decide whether it is appropriate to use the passive voice.
When I do choose to use the passive voice, I make sure that I use passive and active verbs consistently and in the appropriate places. 					

Planning and improving an explanation text

Planning an explanation text - my success criteria	1	2	3	4	

I record the main steps on my plan					
I add supporting details and examples for each step					
I plan my opening paragraph and my concluding paragraph					
I plan using notes not full sentences					
Improving my explanation text:
•	I read my writing through to make sure that someone who knows nothing about the subject would find it easy to understand 
•	I check that I have presented the explanation clearly and linked the steps well so the reader can follow easily
•	I look for opportunities to use stronger, more powerful vocabulary/technical vocabulary
•	I check that my introduction and final paragraph will interest the reader					
When I have finished writing my explanation, I read it through carefully (editing where necessary) to make sure that
•	I have said what I wanted to
•	I have used the form and style that I chose for my writing consistently through my text
and that
•	I have used the best vocabulary
•	My punctuation is accurate
•	My spelling is accurate					

Year group statements

FS

I can talk about why things happen and how things work. I can ask questions and talk about my thoughts and ideas.					
I can listen to someone explain a process and ask questions.					
I can explain things to my teacher and friends e.g. say reasons why I or someone else has done something; why and how I have made something.					

Y1

I can read captions, pictures and diagrams on wall displays and in simple books that explain a process.					
I can draw pictures to illustrate a process and use the picture to tell someone my explanation of the process.  					

Y2

After I have carried out a practical activity like an experiment, an investigation or making something, I can help my group and teacher to make a flowchart or diagram to explain the process. 					
After seeing and hearing an explanation of the process, I can explain it myself using flowchart, sentences and gestures (signs and signals) sensibly. 					
With some help, I can read flowcharts or circle diagrams which explain a process and then read other flowcharts or circle diagrams by myself. 					
After a practical task, I can make a simple flowchart or circle diagram by myself.					

Y3

I can make diagrams (like flow charts) to make short notes about the stages in a process (e.g. in science, D&T or geography). When I do this, I make sure the ideas are in the right order. 					
I can tell someone my explanation of a process, using the notes I have made. I make sure that the important details are included and that I finish off what I am saying clearly and well.					

Y4

I can read and analyse an explanation text to pick out the key features of this sort of writing. 					
When I read a text, I can say whether it is an explanation text, a report or a recount. 
I know that an information book might include examples of all these types of text or texts which combine different types.					
I can give a summary of a process carried out in the classroom or on the computer. 
I can give a summary of a process in a flowchart or cycle diagram (whichever is the most suitable).  					
In shared writing, I make suggestions to help the teacher write an explanation using the key features of explanation writing including:
•	purpose: to explain a process or to answer a question 
•	structure: introduction, followed by step-by-step explanation, organised into paragraphs 
•	language features: usually present tense; use of connectives of time and cause and effect; use of passive voice 
•	presentation: use of diagrams and other illustrations, paragraphing, connectives, subheadings, numbering					
After talking through an explanation, I can write the explanation down by myself (with the help of a flowchart or diagram).
When I do this I use the features I learned in shared writing.					

Y5

I can read and analyse a different sorts of explanatory texts. When I do this I look for and note features of impersonal style:  complex sentences; the use of passive voice; technical vocabulary; the use of sequence connectives, causal connectives and logical connectives.					
When we do shared note-making and writing (to make a page for a reference book) I join in well using:
•	an impersonal style, 
•	hypothetical language (if...then, might, when the...) 
•	causal and temporal connections (e.g. while, during, after, because, as a result, due to, only when, so).					
I can plan, compose, edit and improve explanations (using reading as a source of information) focusing on making my text really clear, being concise and using an impersonal style.					

Y6

I make a good choice when I select the form of writing and style to suit a specific purpose and audience (using my knowledge of different non-fiction text types).  
I use the language conventions and grammatical features of the different types of text, when and where appropriate.