Informative/Explanatory Writing

What is Informative/Explanatory Writing?

• Informative/Explanatory writing is nonfiction writing about a topic.

• Informative/Explanatory writing gives facts and information, explains how to do something, or tells readers about real people and events.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

You can find informative/explanatory writing in many different places.

• Textbooks

• Newspapers

• Encyclopedias

• Magazines

• Websites

Informative/Explanatory Writing Traits

• A clear, focused topic• Relevant facts and concrete details that support and

develop the topic

• A strong introduction, body, and conclusion• Paragraphs that have a topic sentence and supporting

details• Appropriate and varied transitions that connect ideas

and show relationships

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Informative/Explanatory Writing Traits

• Exact, concise language• Domain-specific vocabulary that is used correctly and

explained as necessary

• Appropriate voice for the purpose and audience• An informative, respectful, and consistent tone

• Clear sentences with structure that supports the purpose• Sentences that flow together smoothly

• No or few errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Informative/Explanatory Writing

How informative/explanatory writing is organized depends on its purpose.

• Cause-and-Effect describes a cause and the result, or effect, of that cause.

• Compare-and-Contrast describes the similarities and differences between things.

• Explanatory gives the meaning of a topic.

• How-To tells readers how something happens or explains a step-by-step process.

• Problem-and-Solution describes a problem and offers one or more solutions.

• Research Report organizes information about a topic.

• Summary describes the main points of a piece of writing.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Good informative/explanatory writing includes the following features:

• Topic

• Definitions

• Facts

• Transitions

• Precise language

• Domain-specific vocabulary

• Conclusion

Let’s look at how we can use these features in

good informative/explanatory writing.

Topic

A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides. As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However, tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.

In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is caused when two plates push and pull against each other and suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Definitions

A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides. As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However, tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.

In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is caused when two plates push and pull against each other and suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Facts

A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides. As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However, tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.

In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is caused when two plates push and pull against each other and suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Transitions

A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides. As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However, tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.

In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is caused when two plates push and pull against each other and suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Precise Language

A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides. As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However, tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.

In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is caused when two plates push and pull against each other and suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Domain-Specific Vocabulary

A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides. As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However, tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.

In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is caused when two plates push and pull against each other and suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Conclusion

It is impossible to stop a tsunami. However, early warning systems and accurate weather forecasting equipment can warn people of the danger. Special buoys floating in the ocean record waves and send information to scientists on land. These scientists can then warn people to get away from the shore and head to higher ground. Sometimes an early warning can save thousands of lives from the deadly force of a tsunami.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Some common types of informative/explanatory writing include the following:

• Research Report

• Cause-Effect Report

• Problem-Solution Essay

• Response to Literature

• How-To Essay

• Compare-and-Contrast Essay