Informative Writing

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Informative writing is used when you are telling facts to someone who doesn't know a lot about your topic. We use informative writing when we do research reports, book reviews, and when we explain how to do something. Here is an example of an informative essay.

Tips for writing informative essays:

1. There's a step by step guide on line that will prompt you through each step of writing an informative essay. Click here to check it out.

2. Even though you are writing facts (the who, what, where, when, why, & how), your writing should not be boring.

3. Use a 5 paragraph essay graphic organizer to help you plan and write your essay. You can review how to write a 5 paragraph essay by going to our How to Write Right: The Five Paragraph Essay page. Organize your topic by using:

• description
• sequence
• comparison
• cause and effect
• problem and solution

4. Be sure to include a strong thesis statement in your introduction.

Weak Example: "I really like brownies, and I will tell you how to make them."

Strong Example: "Brownies are a delicious treat and can be made in five easy steps."

Now that you know the basics, let's practice.

1. Be a newspaper reporter and see if you can write an informative article that's not boring. Start your sentences in a variety of ways, use descriptive language, hook us in with an engaging lead/introduction, and wrap up your article with a great conclusion. Click here to get started.

2. You use informative writing when you turn your research facts into web pages and posters. We go through several steps to do this:

• research
• organize
• draft
• edit
• publish

You can go to this web page about recycling paper to practice each step.

3. When you write an essay about a person's life, you'll be using informative writing skills. Pick a famous person who you'd like to learn more about. Then use this biography maker to help you to write your essay.

4. You'll use informative writing skills any time you write a book review. Use this Write a Book Review website to help you write a review of one of the books you've read so far this year.

5. Try this PSSA informative essay writing prompt.

6. Here's a list of 11 topics to choose from. Select a topic and write a classic 5 paragraph essay. Be sure to include a strong thesis statement.

I'll use a rubric to evaluate your writing. Click here to check it out.