Worked example
Question: “Dogs are the best pets because they are loyal” is persuasive because it gives an opinion and reason.
Key concept
Learning goal: I can compare imaginative, informative and persuasive texts and choose one for a purpose.
- Tell story texts from texts that give opinions.
- Choose a text that suits a purpose, such as finding information or reading a story.
- Compare imaginative, informative and persuasive texts using visible features.
Steps to use
Name text type → Find features → Compare purpose → Explain
See it, then try it
Three text jobs
imaginative: story worldinformative: factspersuasive: wants agreement
Use features to compare
charactersfactsopinionreasonsfeatures
Curriculum Coverage & Elaborations
Curriculum Coverage & Elaborations
The content description is the required target. The elaborations below are taught as examples and contexts, not as disconnected checklist wording.
- E1: comparing and discussing texts, identifying some features that distinguish those that “tell stories” from those that “give opinions”
- E2: selecting texts for a particular purpose or task; for example, a website that will give information about a learning area topic, a book that will tell a story about an animal
Common misconceptions
- All texts tell stories — Some texts inform or persuade instead.
- Opinion confused with fact — Opinion can be agreed or disagreed with.
- No comparison language — Use same, different, both, but.
Try these
- Three-way sort — Sort cards into imaginative, informative and persuasive.story/fact/opinion
- Feature compare — Find one similarity and one difference between two text types.Both have titles; one uses facts.
- Purpose proof — Use a word or feature to justify the text type.because...
Explain and apply
Real or imagined
Read: A dragon carried a lunchbox to school. Could this happen in real life?
Answer and teaching guidance
No. Dragons and the event make it imaginative. This matches the IXL-style real-life check.
Information or persuasion
Read: Bees make honey. Read: You should protect bees. How are the texts different?
Answer and teaching guidance
The first gives information. The second tries to persuade the reader to do something.
Same topic, different purpose
Two texts are about dogs. One tells dog facts and one says dogs make the best pets. Which one gives an opinion?
Answer and teaching guidance
Dogs make the best pets is an opinion and has a persuasive purpose.
Compare features
Name one feature of a story and one feature of an information text.
Answer and teaching guidance
A story often has characters and events. An information text often gives facts, labels or topic words.
Check your understanding
Quick checks
- Which text gives facts?
- Which text has characters and plot?
- Which text tries to convince?
- Give one similarity between two text types.
I am ready when I can
- I can tell story texts from texts that give opinions.
- I can choose a text that suits a purpose, such as finding information or reading a story.
- I can compare imaginative, informative and persuasive texts using visible features.
Curriculum equivalents: Victoria, NSW and international
Curriculum equivalents for Some similarities and differences between imaginative, informative and persuasive texts
Mapped skill: describe some similarities and differences between imaginative, informative and persuasive texts
These references identify matching or closely related learning. Curriculum sequence, terminology and depth vary, so teachers should use the mapped skill and lesson difficulty to confirm suitability.
| Region | Curriculum framework | Closest level or code |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9E1LY03 · Year 1 |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 — English | VC2E1LY03 · Level 1 |
| New South Wales | NSW English K–10 Syllabus (2022) | EN1-RECOM-01 · Stage 1 |
| United States (USA) | Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts | Grade 1 |
| Canada (Ontario) | Ontario Curriculum — English | Grade 1 |
| United Kingdom (England) | National Curriculum in England — English | Year 2, Key Stage 1 |
| India | NCERT / CBSE — English | Class 1 |
Australian Curriculum v9.0 is the canonical source for this SkillrHub lesson. Victoria and NSW entries name the closest published state codes or outcomes; international entries are planning references rather than claims of identical curricula.
🎥 Optional Video Lesson
The SkillrHub lesson remains the primary learning resource. This optional video reinforces the explanation; you can complete the lesson and practice without watching.
Before you watch:
- Pause after each worked example.
- Try the examples yourself.
- Return to the SkillrHub lesson before continuing.
Recommended: Fiction v. Nonfiction
Khan Academy Kids — Compare imaginative stories with informative books.
As you watch: Can both books have pictures? What is different about their purpose?
Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.
Try it: Give one similarity and one difference between a storybook and an information book. Then find a text that tries to persuade you.
Video unavailable, inaccurate or unsuitable for this year? Report a video problem to SkillrHub by email. You can continue with the written lesson and practice resources.
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