Introduction to Formal Informative Writing

Sources at
end of
presentation

●Informative writing is factual writing about a nonfiction topic.

○The main goal of informational writing is to increase knowledge by providing
straightforward information on a topic.

●Writers establish the main idea with a strong introduction that captures the reader’s
attention.

○Ideas for Strong Introductions: include an unusual fact, ask a question, include vivid
description, tell a brief story

●Writers restate the main idea with a strong conclusion.

○Ideas for Strong Conclusions: summarize key points, make a prediction, offer an
opinion or a suggestion, explain the topic’s importance

●Transitional words and phrases guide the reader easily and clearly from one idea to the
next.

●Students are expected to use a formal style.

Multiple Choice

Informative writing is ________ writing about a nonfiction topic.

• fictional

• factual

• creative

• inspirational.

Multiple Choice

The main goal of informational writing is to increase _________ by providing straightforward information on a topic.

• word count

• knowledge

• income

Multiple Choice

Include an unusual fact, ask a question, include vivid description, tell a brief story; all of these are ways to:

• write a strong introduction

• establish rythm in a poem

• fill up a page

• get a date to the dance

Multiple Choice

Transitional words and phrases guide readers from one idea to the next.

• True

• False

●Types of Informative Essays Include:

○Cause and Effect

○Process

○Descriptive

○Compare and Contrast

○Problem/Solution

●Topics are Important

○Topic should be broad enough to give you room to work, but narrow enough to keep
you tightly focused.

○You are informing, not arguing. Do not pick a fight or aim to be controversial.

●Research is the Real Work!

○You need to locate 3 or 4 solid sources. We will talk about what “solid” means later
on.

●Analysis is when you synthesize the information to form your unique understanding.

Drag and Drop

Types of Informative Essays:​ ​ ​ ​

Placeholder

​

Placeholder

​

Placeholder

​

Placeholder

​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

cause and effect

process

descriptive

compare and contrast

problem and solution

Narrative

Argumentative

Non-Fiction

Script

persuasive

Match

Match the following

• Topics should be broad enough...

• Topics should be narrow enough...

• Research...

• Analysis...

to give you room to work.

to keep you focused.

is the real work.

is when you synthesize the information to form your own understanding.

• to give you room to work.

• to keep you focused.

• is the real work.

• is when you synthesize the information to form your own understanding.