Informative writing

Ms. Okey’s English class

Roy Junior High School

September 2014

This presentation contains the fair use of copyrighted materials.

What is informative writing?

Informative writing provides information about a topic. It explains a topic and gives examples, details, and facts about it.

Informative writing should be clear, concise, and use an organizational order that is easy to follow for the reader.

Here’s the outline

Introduction paragraph

Body paragraphs

Closing paragraph

Introduction Hook

Summary or brief explanation/definition of topic

Thesis statement

Body Main points supported with examples, facts, and

evidence.

No opinions!

Use transitional words and phrases!

Closing Restates main points in a new way

Ends with a strong statement

Introduction

HOOK

SUMMARY/EXPLANATION/DEFINITION

THESIS

Hook: First sentence of essay.

Might try a shocking or interesting fact, a questions, an example from life, or a famous quotation about the topic.

Summary/explanation/definition of topic make sure the reader has enough basic background

knowledge to understand what you’re talking about

Might include story titles, authors, definitions of words, a quick two-sentence summary of topic.

Thesis statement: Clearly state on what ideas the essay will focus.

Over 13 million Americans were unemployed during the Great Depression. The Great Depression affected many people in many ways. It was one of the most challenging financial times in American history for the American people. This essay will focus on how the Great Depression affected the American people.

Thesis

Introduces the topic clearly,

previewing what is to follow.

Hook

Body

The body of the essay should be the bulk of your essay. Usually, it is between 2-5 paragraphs. This is where you write out your main points you want to focus on and support each point with evidence (research, facts, examples, etc.)

Use transitions to let your reader know you’re changing paragraphs, ideas, focus, etc.

Along with their wallets, Americans spirits were also crushed. In the poem "Debts" by Karen Hesse, the father of the family is facing a serious drought but still believes in rain. When reality sets in that rain is not likely to come, he is filled with rage and leaves {his family}…This man was a farmer, and had to rely on the most unreliable thing for a source of income, mother nature. This man, and every other Americans spirits were tested during The Great Depression, and the number of those who still had hope was diminishing.

Transiti

on

word

Support for

points/ideas

Usi

ng

sourc

es

Transitions

Above all Again Also As a result As an illustration At other times Besides this Certainly Consequently Equally important Finally First For example For instance

For this reason Furthermore Generally However In addition In conclusion In contrast In fact In other words In particular In spite of this Last

Most importantly Nevertheless Next Now of course On one hand On the other

hand Or Otherwise Second Similarly Specifically

Still Surely Then Therefore Third To explain To illustrate To wrap it up While this may

be true With this in mind Yet

Conclusion

Finish up your essay strong!

Use a transition to show you’re ending (in conclusion, finally, etc.)

Restate your main ideas one more time in a clear, but new way.

End with a strong statement! A quote, a call to action, a powerful statement, a poetically thoughtful comment, etc.

In conclusion, the Great Depression left Americans mentally as well as economically depleted. This event tested the will of the American people, and left some citizens without any hope. With the help of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, America was able to get through The Great Depression with dignity and hope. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.”

Transition word

Strong statement

Restatement of ideas, summary of main points

Check your informative essay:

Does your essay have an introduction paragraph?

Does your introduction paragraph contain a:

Hook statement?

Summary/explanation/definition of topic?

Thesis statement?

Does your essay have 2-5 body paragraphs?

Does each body paragraph have:

A transition statement at the beginning of it?

A focused and clear first sentence that states the topic of the paragraph?

Research, facts, and evidence in it?

Explanations of how the research, facts, and evidence connect to the main topic of the paragraph/essay?

Does your essay have a conclusion paragraph?

In your conclusion, did you:

Restate the main points of the essay in a new way?

End with a powerful statement?

Sources

17 September 2014. http://achievethecore.org/page/504/common-core-informative-explanatory-writing