1. Informative writing Ms. Okey’s English class Roy Junior High School
September 2014
This presentation contains the fair use of copyrighted materials.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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?

9. Sources
17 September mmon-core-informative-explanatory- writing