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WorksheetYear 8Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 8 How to Write an Information Report: Structure and Language Features Worksheet

Students learn the structure of an information report: a title, an opening general statement that classifies the subject, paragraphs grouped under subheadings, and a concluding statement. Using an original model report about octopuses, they label each part, identify language features such as present tense, third person, technical vocabulary and facts rather than opinions, sort notes under subheadings, and plan and write a short report of their own.

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Year
Year 8
Subject
English
Topic
Informative Writing
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
35 minutes
Curriculum
New Zealand Curriculum
Questions
15
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • identifying the structure of an information report
  • writing an opening general statement that classifies the subject
  • grouping facts under subheadings
  • using present tense, third person and technical vocabulary
  • keeping opinions out of a factual report

Curriculum: New Zealand Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: How to Write an Information Report: Structure and Language Features

  1. 1Writing an Explanation: Cause and Effect, Sequence and Connectives

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 8 students (typically ages 12–13) working on informative writing. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 35 minutes for 15 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Writing an Explanation: Cause and Effect, Sequence and Connectives.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 8 · English · Informative Writing

How to Write an Information Report: Structure and Language Features

Name

Date

Score /

An information report is like a tidy cupboard: everything about one subject, sorted onto clearly marked shelves.

Part A: Structure

An information report has: a title, a general statement, paragraphs under subheadings and a concluding statement.

1.What is the job of paragraph (A)?
  1. AIt tells a story about an octopus
  2. BIt is the general statement: it classifies the subject and gives an overview
  3. CIt gives the writer's opinion
  4. DIt is the concluding statement
2.What is the job of paragraph (E)?
  1. AIt introduces a new fact
  2. BIt is the concluding statement: it sums up the main ideas
  3. CIt is a subheading
  4. DIt lists sources
3.Why does the report use subheadings? (answer space)
4.The subheading before paragraph (D) is confusing. Write a better subheading. (answer space)
5.Paragraph (C) is the shortest. Suggest one more fact that would fit under Hunting and diet, and explain why it belongs there. (answer space)

Part B: Language features

Circle True or False.

6.The report is written mostly in the present tense (live, hunt, have). ☐ True   ☐ False
7.The report uses first person (I, my) to share the writer's experiences. ☐ True   ☐ False
8.The words cephalopods, camouflage and species are examples of technical vocabulary. ☐ True   ☐ False
9.The sentence "Octopuses are the coolest animals ever" would suit this report. ☐ True   ☐ False
10.The report is about octopuses in general, not one particular octopus. ☐ True   ☐ False
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.