Informative Essay

Informative Essay

A piece of writing that serves the purpose of educating the reader about a specific topic.

In-Text Citations

Also known as parenthetical citations, are used throughout the essay to cite sources where the information being used was found. These include the author's last name and the page number where the information was found in the source.

Description (Text Structure)

Gives various details about one topic.

Parts of an Essay (there are 4)

Introduction Body Paragraphs Conclusion Works Cited Page

MLA Heading (the order of information)

Name Subject/Period Assignment Date

Problem and Solution

The author describes a problem and then explains how the problem can be solved.

Sequence

The author explains a topic through events in the order in which those events happened.

Compare and Contrast

The author explains how two topics are similar and how they are different.

Cause and Effect

The author tells about a topic(cause) and its effects, or about multiple effects that have led to one cause (topic).

Focus/Main Idea

The controlling idea that states the main point that the writer chooses to make.

Hook

The first sentence of an introduction essay that serves the purpose of drawing the reader in. Can be an anecdote, quote, surprising fact, curiosity question, or joke.

Thesis

The topic of the essay followed by the supporting details that will be elaborated on in the body of the essay.

Topic

What an essay is about.