Developing Non-fiction Writing

This text is based upon a research project carried out by EXEL (The Exeter Extending Literacy Project). It shows ways in which children's non-fiction writing can be made to be more purposeful and structured, thereby moving away from them copying "chunks of text" from reference books. This is achieved by using writing frames. These frames consist of skeleton outlines which can be used to scaffold children's writing. They provide a strategy which helps children to use the generic structures and language features of recount, report, procedure, explanation, exposition (arguing a point) and discussion until children are familiar enough with them to be able to assimilate them into their own writing. The theory is supported with practical examples and children's work.