1. INFORMATIONAL TEXT
ENGLISH II

2. INFORMATIONAL TEXT
Informational text gives factual information on a specific topic or event. Self-help books, as the name implies, give advice to improve a person’s quality of life.

3. DEFINITION
Information text is “…designed primarily to explain, argue or describe rather than to entertain.”
“The main function of expository text is to present the reader information about theories predictions, persons, facts, dates, specifications, generalizations, limitations, and conclusions.”

4. PURPOSE To acquire information To satisfy curiosity
To understand our world more fully
To understand new concepts and expand on vocabulary
To make a connection to our lives and learning
To write good nonfiction
To have fun

5. FORMS AND FEATURES
Informational text uses a number of forms of organization including:
Sequence of events (plot)
Description by category
Process description
Comparison/contrast
Problem and solution
Cause and effect

6. INFORMATION TEXT… Gives information
Gives necessary explanations to understand the information
Shows what is and is not important
Often uses narrative (story) elements to make it interesting

7. INFORMATIONAL TEXT
Informational text may have some or all of the following features:
Table of contents and index
Photographs and realistic, accurate illustrations
Captions to describe photographs, illustrations
Maps and diagrams
Glossary (words with definitions)
Footnotes
Bibliographies