Y05W21WR How to Stay Safe Online

Part 1

How to Write

Informative – Guide

An informative guide teaches a reader how to carry out a process or complete a task. It is written for someone who needs clear, practical steps they can follow and act on immediately. The tone is confident, direct and accessible — written by someone who knows the process well.

  • Ideas & content: Cover the key steps and decisions. Include enough detail at each point so the reader is never left guessing, but stay focused on what is genuinely useful.
  • Structure & cohesion: Organise content into a clear sequence — a brief introduction, the main steps in a sensible order, then a closing statement. Use sequence words such as first, next and finally to link sections.
  • Voice & audience: Write as a confident, helpful guide. Keep the reader’s needs in mind throughout and avoid sounding preachy or vague.
  • Language choices: Use precise vocabulary and write mainly in the present tense. Address the reader directly with you and vary sentence length for readability.
  • Conventions: Spell key terms accurately. Use commas in lists and full stops to close each idea clearly.

Common pitfalls: Covering too many points without enough depth — focus on what matters most and explain it well. Writing vague instructions rather than specifying exactly what something looks like in practice.

Part 2

Your Task Plan for Today

The brief

Question: Write a safety guide for Year 3 students explaining what they need to know about staying safe online. Include practical advice they can actually follow and explain clearly why each piece of advice matters.

Stimulus: A group of Year 3 students is about to start using school laptops and the internet for the first time. Their teacher has asked your class to prepare a short written guide on staying safe online. The guide needs to be honest, practical and easy to understand for younger students.

Task Analysis: Write for Year 3 students who are new to the internet. Give three or four clear safety rules. Explain why each one matters. Use simple words and real examples so they understand.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • Rule 1: Passwords — keep them secret, never tell a friend
  • Rule 2: Strangers — do not talk to people you do not know online
  • Rule 3: Pictures — never send a photo without asking a parent
  • Rule 4: What to do — if something feels wrong, tell an adult

Define the key concept

Start simply: ‘The internet is amazing, but you need to stay safe.’ Make it sound normal, not scary. Year 3 students should not be afraid. They should just be smart.

Key details to include

For each rule, explain why: ‘Keep your password secret because if someone knows it, they can pretend to be you.’ Make the reason clear and simple.

Tone & voice

Write like a kind older student. You know more, and you are here to help. Be friendly, not bossy. Year 3 students will listen better if you sound like a friend, not a teacher.