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EAL Nexus resource
Information writing
Key words, definitions and examples
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
Key term
Definition
Example
Topic sentence
The first sentence of a
paragraph that introduces the
topic or subject of that
paragraph
 Usually they live in
mountainous areas.(habitat)
 The majority of them are
brown in colour.(appearance
Key term
Technical language
Definition
Language relating to the subject
of the information text
Examples
 The Human Skeleton: tibia,
skull, sternum
 The Ancient Egyptians:
pyramids, papyrus, cartouche
Key term
Definition
Examples
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
Key term
Formal language
Definition
Language used when
conversational language (such
as slang) isn’t suitable. Standard
English is used, with correct
grammar and punctuation.
Examples
 ‘place’ rather than put
 ‘elevate’ rather than lift
 ‘manufacture’ rather than
make
Key term
Definition
Examples
Accurate
Containing no incorrect
information
Key term
Factual
Definition
Based on facts
Examples
 The black rhino is found in
Africa
Key term
Past tense
Definition
A verb tense used to describe
an event that has already
happened
Examples
 The Ancient Egyptians built
pyramids…
 The Tudors were a family who
ruled…
Key term
Present tense
Definition
A verb tense used to show an
action that is happening now
Examples
 Frogs catch their prey with
their tongue
 They live in ponds and lakes