Y06W20PA - How to Cook a Simple Meal

This week you wrote a how-to guide teaching someone your age to cook a simple meal. Now you'll read another student's guide and decide how strong it is. Each module sharpens how you spot clear instructions — and helps your own.

Part 1

The Assessor Scorecard for

Informative – How-to guide

Markers look for how-to guides with a clear reader in mind, logical steps, and plain words that are easy to follow.

Ideas & Content

An ingredient list and tools the reader actually needs. Manageable steps broken down for someone new to cooking. Timing details that help the reader prepare and succeed.

  • ingredient list and: timing details help readers prepare and succeed.

Structure & Cohesion

Steps in the exact order they must happen. Words like "First," "Next," "Then," "Finally" between steps. A reader who never feels lost about what comes next.

  • connecting words like: First', 'Next', 'Then', 'Finally' make the sequence crystal clear.

Audience & Purpose

A friendly tone, like teaching a friend your age. Direct address using "you" so the reader feels spoken to. No bossy or expert tone — encouraging and clear.

  • direct address (like: you') and simple language show you are thinking about your reader.

Language Choices

Short, direct sentences a reader can act on. Action verbs like "chop," "mix," or "heat." No fancy words that slow understanding.

  • imperative verbs ('chop': stir', 'pour') give commands that are quick and easy to follow.

Conventions

Accurate spelling so nothing distracts the reader. Full stops marking each instruction clearly. Numbered lists or bullets to make steps easy to scan.

  • punctuation that matches: the guide's format makes instructions scannable and easy to read.

Part 2

Today’s Marking Targets

Task in one sentence

Write a how-to guide teaching someone your age to cook a simple meal with clear steps in the right order.

Let’s Focus

Two strands matter most this week: Audience & Purpose and Structure & Cohesion. How you speak to the reader decides if the guide feels written for them. How you order the steps decides if they can follow without getting lost.

Audience & Purpose

Strong writing this week sounds like a friend explaining the meal. The writer uses "you," picks simple words, and never assumes the reader already knows. The tone is warm and clear, not bossy. A good guide thinks about what the reader needs.

What markers scan for

  • Does the writer talk directly to the reader using "you"?
  • Does the writer explain why a step matters, not just what to do?
  • Does the tone feel friendly, not bossy?
  • Would someone new to cooking feel welcomed?

Score Bands

  • Basic

    The writer knows there's a reader, but the tone slips or words get hard.

  • Strong

    The writer speaks directly to the reader with simple, friendly words.

  • Excellent

    The writer thinks ahead to confusion; tone is warm; every sentence considers the reader.

Structure & Cohesion

Strong writing this week walks the reader through steps in the exact order they happen. Linking words like "First," "Next," "Then," and "Finally" mark each move. No jumps back, no missing pieces. The reader should never need to reread to keep up.

What markers scan for

  • Does each step build on the one before?
  • Do linking words start the instructions?
  • Has the writer jumped ahead or circled back?
  • Does the flow feel natural and logical?

Score Bands

  • Basic

    Some steps slip out of order; linking words are missing; the guide feels jumbled.

  • Strong

    Steps follow a clear, sensible order; linking words guide the reader through each move.

  • Excellent

    The sequence feels exact; linking words flow naturally; the reader is guided like by an expert.

Now read · Student sample

How to Make Perfect Toast with Avocado

Year 6 sample · \~200 words

Student sample for assessment

Written by a Year 6 student in Thornbury, Victoria, Australia.

Toast with avocado is a healthy breakfast that is easy to make. You will need two slices of bread, one ripe avocado, a knife, a plate, butter and salt. If you want, you can also add a squeeze of lemon and black pepper. First, put your bread in the toaster. Set it to medium so the bread is golden but not too dark. While the bread is toasting, cut your avocado in half lengthways and twist the halves apart carefully. Scoop out the soft green part with a spoon and put it on a small plate. Next, your toast should pop up. Take it out and place it on your plate. Spread a thin layer of butter on each slice while it is still warm. The butter helps the avocado stick and adds flavour. Then, use your knife to mash the avocado on the small plate until it is smooth and creamy. You can leave some small lumps if you like it chunky. Spread the mashed avocado evenly on each slice of toast. Make sure you cover the whole slice. Finally, sprinkle a pinch of salt on top of each slice. If you want extra flavour, add a small squeeze of lemon juice and a crack of black pepper. Eat your toast straight away while it is still warm. It tastes best fresh.