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 Introduction paragraph Body Body paragraphs Closing paragraph Introduction Hook Background or brief explanation of topic Thesis statement Body Transition word at the beginning of each paragraph Topic sentence for each paragraph Focus on big ideas of your essay. Each point is supported with examples, facts, and evidence. No personal opinions! Closing Transition word/statement Restates main points in a new way Ends with a strong statement

Introduces the topic clearly, previewing what is to follow. 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. Background/explanation 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 Might be a reason why this topic is important Thesis statement: Clearly state the idea the essay will focus. Over 13 million Americans were unemployed during the Great Depression. The Great Depression was a devastating time period in American history and affected many people in many ways. It was one of the most challenging financial times in American history. This essay will focus on the ways in which Great Depression affected the American people. Hook Background Thesis

Start with a Transition Body Start with a Transition Topic Sentence The body of the essay should be the bulk of your essay. Usually, it is between 2-5 paragraphs. This is where you expand on the main points you want to focus on. Use transitions at the beginning of each new paragraph to let your reader know you’re changing ideas. Use a topic sentence to start each paragraph. Use evidence and examples to support your points, then EXPLAIN how those examples support your ideas. Use sources Along with their wallets, Americans spirits were also crushed. In the poem "Debts" by Karen Hesse, the father of a family is facing a serious drought but still believes that it will 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. The number of those who still had hope was diminishing. Support for points/ideas

Transitions Most importantly Then Nevertheless Therefore Next Third Now To explain of course To illustrate On one hand To wrap it up On the other hand While this may be true Or With this in mind Otherwise Yet Second Similarly Specifically Still Surely Above all For this reason Again Furthermore Also Generally As a result However As an illustration In addition At other times In conclusion Besides this In contrast Certainly In fact Consequently In other words Equally important In particular Finally First In spite of this For example Last For instance

Restatement of ideas, summary of main points Conclusion Restatement of ideas, summary of main points Transition word 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.” Finish your essay with a strong conclusion! Use a transition to show you’re ending (in conclusion, finally, etc.) Restate your most important 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. Strong statement

Check your informative 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? Does your essay have an introduction paragraph? Does your introduction paragraph contain a: Hook statement? Background or explanation 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?

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