Writing an Informative Essay

Proofread

After major revisions, proofreading is necessary. Characteristics of the proofreading step include: -Correcting factual, mechanical, grammatical, and spelling errors, possibly with the help of an editing checklist -A final proofread by a peer or teacher who hasn't seen the narrative can be helpful

Review

After the first draft is complete, it needs to be reviewed. This step may occur more than once. The review step includes these aspects: -May be completed by the writer or a peer -Place to get input, suggestions, and make structural changes -Methods may include peer reviews, reading aloud, or conferencing with an instructor

First Draft

After the outline is finished, it's time to start writing. The first draft, also called a rough draft, is a writer's first attempt at writing his or her ideas in full. This step's traits include: -Focus is on content, or developing ideas, instead of the mechanics of writing -Expands on ideas presented in an outline by adding details and descriptions -Serves as a place to take notes and play around with organization and presentation of ideas

Brainstorm

During this step, a writer thinks about what he or she wants to write about. Characteristics of the brainstorming step, also known as pre-writing, include: -Main task is to collect all ideas in one place -Decide on the purpose, audience, and possible writing structure -Serves to narrow ideas and gather relevant supporting information about a topic -Methods include graphic organizers (t-chart, Venn diagram, etc.), bulleted lists, and free writing

Publish

In this final step in the process, a writer prepares the narrative for its final form before sharing it with others. This step may include: -Typing the story on a computer and printing a paper copy -Sharing the narrative in another way, such as online or reading it aloud

Revise

In this step, a writer refines the draft based on feedback from the review. This step also may be visited more than once.

Informative Essay

Nonfiction essay that gives accurate information about a topic. It informs, describes, instructs, or explains. The topic is the person, thing, or idea discussed in the essay.

Outline

Once a writer settles on an idea, the next step is an outline. An outline is a brief summary of the topics that will be covered. Some aspects of the outlining step are: -Main purpose is to organize information and ideas -Creates a clear order for how information will be presented -Most commonly appears as a bulleted list -Structure may include sequence of events and order of importance

5-Paragraph Essay

The classic format for student writing that includes an introductory paragraph, 3 body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph

Introduction Paragraph

The introduction is the first paragraph of an essay. It includes these elements: a hook that consists of a fact, quote, statement, or question that will grab the reader's attention the essay's topic and background information on the topic a thesis statement that clearly presents the essay's main idea and includes three supporting details

Conclusion Paragraph

The last paragraph of the essay is the conclusion. It doesn't contain any new information. The conclusion briefly goes over the key ideas of the essay and restates the thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs

The next three paragraphs form the essay's body. Each body paragraph contains the following: a detail that supports the thesis presented in the introduction information that supports and explains the main idea of the essay facts or quotes that strengthen the supporting detail

Text Features

These highlight and organize important information. They can be used in any type of essay or presentation. Example: Titles, pictures and captions, or the glossary at the end of an essay that helps readers understand the meaning of unfamiliar terms

Transitional Words

These words and phrases help writers present information in an informative essay. They form a link to connect two paragraphs or even two sentences. Examples: And, again, moreover, immediately, next, previously, first, second, finally, for instance, for example, to conclude, and in brief

Author's Purpose

the reason an author decides to write about a specific topic (to tell/inform, to persuade, to entertain, to teach/instruct, to express/describe)

Definition Essay

writing that explains, or defines, the meaning of a topic or idea

Cause and Effect Essays

writing that focuses on the relationship or link between the cause of an event and the resulting effect

Compare and Contrast Essay

writing that looks at the similarities and differences between 2 topics to reach a conclusion

Classification Essay

writing that organizes information into categories based on similarities