INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY WRITING

Explanatory Writing requires you to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts and information clearly and accurately.

The purpose of this type of writing is to demonstrate comprehension of a topic, concept, process, or procedure.

You will write in response to a source which may be a text or other media such as art or music. It can even be in relation to charts and graphs.

An effective response requires you to READ the ‘text’ closely, in order to demonstrate an understanding of the topic and locate evidence from the ‘text’ to support your response. You will also locate additional support via research.

What is the difference between an argument and an explanatory? In an argument you state a claim that can be argued from different perspectives. When you write an explanatory response it is not attempting to persuade or argue a point. Its thesis informs the reader of the subject rather than ask the reader to take a position on an issue.

Related Vocabulary for an Explanatory Writing ANALYZE-examine, closely study, and evaluate the text by breaking down and examining its elements and components. CONCRETE DETAILS: the specific facts, examples, and data that provide evidence for an informative/explanatory essay. FORMAL STYLE: writing that is free of slang, trite expressions, abbreviations, symbols, shortcut language, contractions, and the use of the personal pronoun ‘I.’ The writer does not speak directly to the reader by using the word YOU.

Organizational Structures: Cause/Effect: shows why something happened, why certain conditions exist, or what resulted from an action or condition; shows the influence of one event upon another; uses logic and evidence to show the relationship between an event and its cause or an event and its outcome. Classification: organizes ideas/concepts/terms into useful categories; provides related examples and explains how they fit into each category. Compare/Contrast: explores the similarities and differences between two or more subjects; addresses similarities and/or differences between/among topics; organized either to analyze or inform. Definition: provides more than a dictionary definition; show what something IS. Process: explains how something works; prove sequential directions for how something is done.

The Thesis of an Explanatory Writing: Information at the very beginning of your introduction prepares your reader for the THESIS STATEMENT. This traditionally appears at the end of the introduction paragraph. It presents the main point and indicates the purpose of the essay. The thesis statement is the MOST important sentence in the introduction because it states the controlling idea or point. It also clarifies the purpose of the essay and helps set the tone. It is the KEYSTONE of an entire essay! The main point of a thesis statement can be: A statement of fact A statement of opinion A dominant impression A general truth

In an explanatory writing, the thesis…… 1.Seeks to explain, support or clarify 2.Is factual or objective 3.Conveys the writer’s purpose to increase reader’s knowledge 4.IT DOES NOT SEEK TO CHANGE THEIR MIND!!!!