INFORMATIONAL TEXT ENGLISH II

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.

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.”

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

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

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

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