Year 3 · Non-chronological Report · WAGOLL
The Amazing Octopus
An information text about octopuses. Models subheadings, formal tone, present tense, and topic-related vocabulary. Meets Year 3 expected standard for non-chronological reports.
The AmazingTitle — tells the reader what the report is about. Octopus
The octopus isPresent tense — used throughout reports. one of the most extraordinaryOpening 'hook' — gets the reader interested. creatures in the ocean. With eight arms, three hearts, andList of facts separated by commas. the ability to change colourStrong fact in the introduction. in less than a secondPrepositional phrase — adds precision., this remarkable sea animalExpanded noun phrase. has fascinated scientists for hundreds of years.
Where do octopuses live?Subheading as a question — common in reports for KS2.
Octopuses livePresent tense (general fact). in oceans all around the worldAdverbial phrase — tells where.. Some make their homes in shallow rock pools, whileSubordinating conjunction — shows contrast. others prefer the deepest, darkestTwo superlative adjectives separated by comma. parts of the sea. Most octopuses hide in caves, in shipwrecks, or in cracksList with repeated prepositions for rhythm. between rocks. They use their soft, flexible bodiesExpanded noun phrase with two adjectives. to squeeze into spaces that look impossibly small.
What do they eat?Subheading.
Octopuses are carnivoresTopic-specific vocabulary., which means they only eat other animalsSubordinate clause defines the technical word.. They mainly hunt crabs, fish, and small shellfishCommas separate items in a list.. To catch their preyFronted adverbial of purpose., they use their long arms to reach into hidden spaces. Their suckers help them hold tightly soSubordinating conjunction — shows result. the prey cannot escape.
Did you know?'Did you know?' box — common feature of children's reports.
Octopuses are some of the cleverestSuperlative adjective. animals in the sea. They can solve puzzles, open jars, and even recognise human facesList of three remarkable abilities for impact.. Some octopuses have escaped from aquariums by squeezing through tiny pipes —Dash — adds extra information. they can fit through any space that's bigger than their beak!Exclamation for surprising fact.
All teaching points
- The Amazing Title — tells the reader what the report is about.
- The octopus is Present tense — used throughout reports.
- one of the most extraordinary Opening 'hook' — gets the reader interested.
- With eight arms, three hearts, and List of facts separated by commas.
- the ability to change colour Strong fact in the introduction.
- in less than a second Prepositional phrase — adds precision.
- remarkable sea animal Expanded noun phrase.
- Where do octopuses live? Subheading as a question — common in reports for KS2.
- Octopuses live Present tense (general fact).
- all around the world Adverbial phrase — tells where.
- while Subordinating conjunction — shows contrast.
- the deepest, darkest Two superlative adjectives separated by comma.
- in caves, in shipwrecks, or in cracks List with repeated prepositions for rhythm.
- soft, flexible bodies Expanded noun phrase with two adjectives.
- What do they eat? Subheading.
- carnivores Topic-specific vocabulary.
- which means they only eat other animals Subordinate clause defines the technical word.
- crabs, fish, and small shellfish Commas separate items in a list.
- To catch their prey Fronted adverbial of purpose.
- so Subordinating conjunction — shows result.
- Did you know? 'Did you know?' box — common feature of children's reports.
- cleverest Superlative adjective.
- solve puzzles, open jars, and even recognise human faces List of three remarkable abilities for impact.
- even Adverb of emphasis.
- — Dash — adds extra information.
- ! Exclamation for surprising fact.
- In non-narrative material, use simple organisational devices
- Use the present tense
- Use conjunctions, adverbs and prepositions to express time, place and cause
- Choose nouns or pronouns to avoid repetition
Show the clean version first — read it together as a class. Then toggle Show annotations to reveal the teaching points. Discuss what makes the text work. Children can attempt their own version of the same text type, then return to this annotated model when they revise.