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Year 2 English Non-Fiction

Information Texts

Information texts (non-fiction) give facts about a topic. They are written to inform or explain — not to tell a story.

What is an Information Text?

An information text is a non-fiction text that tells you facts about a real topic. Examples include:

  • 📚 Encyclopaedias and textbooks
  • 🌎 Articles about animals, plants, science
  • 📈 Reports about events
  • 🔍 Information brochures

Features of Information Texts

  • Title — tells the topic
  • Headings — organise sections
  • Subheadings — break down information
  • Photos/diagrams — visual support
  • Captions — explain images
  • Facts — real, accurate information

Language Features

  • Written in present tense: “Dolphins live in the ocean.”
  • Uses technical vocabulary: mammal, habitat, predator
  • No personal opinion — just facts
  • Formal, clear language

Fiction vs Non-Fiction

Fiction = made-up stories (narrative)

Non-fiction = true, real information

Information texts are always non-fiction — the facts are real and can be checked.

Penguins

Sample information text

What are penguins?

Penguins are birds that cannot fly. They use their flippers to swim through the water at great speed. There are 18 species of penguin, and all of them live in the Southern Hemisphere.

Diet

Penguins are carnivores. They eat fish, squid and small crustaceans. They are excellent swimmers and can dive deep to catch prey.

Habitat

Most penguins live in cold climates, including Antarctica. Some species, such as the Little Penguin, live in Australia and New Zealand.

Title: Penguins
Headings: What, Diet, Habitat
Facts only (no opinion)

Key Vocabulary

information text — a non-fiction text that provides facts about a real topic
heading — a title for a section of text that tells readers what it is about
caption — a sentence under a picture explaining what it shows
fact — a true, accurate statement that can be checked or proved

Knowledge Check

Question 1

What is the main purpose of an information text?

Question 2

In the penguin text above, what is the heading “Diet” about?

Question 3

Which of these sentences belongs in an information text about dolphins?

Question 4

What is the purpose of a caption in an information text?

Lesson Summary