Level 2 writing: paragraphs, descriptions and stories
Six units for children aged 8 to 10, Years 3 and 4. They plan, organise ideas in paragraphs, expand sentences and write a character, a recount, instructions, a fact file, a letter and a story.
Three big ideas
Plan before you write. Planning frames and oral rehearsal turn ideas into organised paragraphs.
Richer sentences. Expanded noun phrases, conjunctions, fronted adverbials and commas build variety.
Texts for different readers. Each unit uses the structure, language and layout of a real text type.
Pick a unit
Units can be taught in order or chosen to match your topic. Each has a model text, oral rehearsal games, a sentence skill, a planning frame, a teacher script, a task with support and stretch, success criteria and a publishing template.
Character description with adjectives
Children write a paragraph of six to eight sentences describing a character's appearance, movement and personality, using at least three expanded noun phrases.
Unit 2 · RecountParagraphs in a recount
Children write a recount of three paragraphs in the past tense, each starting with a time phrase and followed by a comma.
Unit 3 · InstructionsInstructions with time connectives
Children write a title, equipment list and five to seven ordered steps with time connectives and one tip or warning.
Unit 4 · Non-chronological reportA fact file
Children write a fact file with a title, an opening sentence, three headed sections of two or three facts, and one fun fact.
Unit 5 · LetterA letter of thanks
Children write a letter with an address block, greeting, two short paragraphs giving reasons with because and so, and a sign-off.
Unit 6 · NarrativeA story with a problem and a solution
Children write a story of 120 to 200 words in paragraphs, with a setting, a character, a clear problem and a satisfying solution.
How writing grows
- Early yearsNursery and Reception · pre-CEFR
- Level 1Years 1 and 2 · Pre-A1 to A1
- Level 2Years 3 and 4 · A1 to A2
- Level 3Years 5 and 6 · A2 to B1
Moving Up English: Level 2, ages 8 to 12. Open the Level 2 curriculum.
What to look for
Use these in the checking and publishing sessions. Judge composition separately from handwriting and spelling, so a child who struggles with transcription is not marked down for good ideas.
| Area | What you are looking for |
|---|---|
| Ideas and structure | Plans with a frame. Organises writing in paragraphs around one theme each. |
| Sentences | Uses a range of conjunctions, expanded noun phrases and fronted adverbials. |
| Vocabulary | Chooses precise verbs and adjectives. Uses technical vocabulary where it suits the text. |
| Punctuation | Speech marks, apostrophes and commas after fronted adverbials usually correct. |
| Editing | Re-reads, checks against criteria, proposes improvements and proofreads for spelling and punctuation. |
Sentence skills used at this level
Frames, checklist and templates
Every planning frame, editing checklist and publishing template prints on one A4 page. The frames are on each unit page. Here are the quick links.
Curriculum and evidence
The units follow the Years 3 and 4 writing composition statements: discuss writing similar to what they will write, discuss and record ideas, compose and rehearse sentences orally, organise paragraphs around a theme, create settings, characters and plot, use headings in non-narrative writing, assess and edit their own writing and read it aloud. Sentence skills follow Appendix 2 for Years 3 and 4.
The EEF Key Stage 2 literacy guidance recommends teaching writing composition strategies through modelling and supported practice, and developing transcription and sentence construction skills through extensive practice.
- National curriculum in England: English programmes of study (DfE)
- English Appendix 2: vocabulary, grammar and punctuation (DfE)
- Improving Literacy in Key Stage 2 (EEF)
Last checked 7 November 2026. Statements are paraphrased.