1. Informational Writing

2. Line of Inquiry
How do I effectively organize information in a paper to inform someone about something?

3. Provocation
Thumbs up if you agree with the following statement---Thumbs down if you do not agree with the following statement
Informational writing is trying to persuade someone to do something.
Informational writing is multiparagraph.

4. Informational writing uses facts, statistics, personal experiences and knowledge to help readers understand more about a topic.
Informational writing does not have a clear controlling idea.
Informational writing uses specific details, illustrations, examples, and explanations to help readers understand information.

5. Defining Informational Writing
Informational Writing: Writing that enhances the reader’s understanding of a topic by instructing, explaining, clarifying, describing, or examining a subject or concept.
Method
Provides facts, statistics, descriptive details, comparison/contrast, analysis, evaluation, definition, and evidence from the text!!

6. What Informational Writing Is and Is Not
An effective informational composition . . .
An effective informational composition is NOT:
Establishes a clear controlling idea
Copying words or information from the writing topic
Uses clear, complete descriptions and/or explanations to develop the controlling idea
A list of facts, a story, and/or personal anecdotes that do not inform the reader about the topic
Contains an appropriate organizational strategy for the purpose of explanation, description, comparison and contrast, or problem and solution
A response in which ideas are not presented in logical order
Is multi-paragraph writing
A single paragraph
Fully develops the controlling idea with specific details and examples
Formulaic writing or a repetitive, standard five-paragraph formula that overshadows the information instead of explaining it
Blends personal experience and knowledge to inform the reader about the topic
An encyclopedic coverage of facts or an abundance of facts that are unrelated to the topic

7. What Informational Writing Is and Is Not
An effective informational composition . . .
An effective informational composition is NOT:
Uses a lively writing voice that develops the reader's interest
Flat, uninteresting writing
Uses engaging language and varied sentences
An essay that contains imprecise language and little sentence variety
Introduces the reader to the topic, fully develops the topic, and provides a sense of closure
Writing that provides information without introducing, developing, and/or concluding the topic
May use a short narrative in the introduction to engage the audience
Writing that consists entirely of a story that does not inform the reader about the topic
Contains correct sentences, usage, grammar, and spelling that make the writer's ideas understandable
Incorrect sentences, usage, grammar, and spelling that prevent the reader from understanding the writer's ideas

8. Overview of Ways to Organize Informational Writing
Purpose: What is the writer describing or explaining?
-Introduction
-Descriptive information
-Conclusion
-Description of events in chronological order
-Comparison/contrast

9. Types of Informational Writing
Analyzing
Answering research questions
Clarifying
Composing letters
Defining terms
Describing scientific processes
Drawing conclusions
Examining cause and effect relationships
Interviewing expert sources
Making comparisons and observations
Offering directions or instructions
Predicting
Problem solving
Recounting historical events
Reflecting on personal experiences
Reporting facts and hypotheses
Summarizing information and ideas

10. Purpose
The purpose of informational writing is to help the reader understand a topic or concept.
Although the writer may include opinions in an informational piece, the writer’s purpose is not to persuade the reader.
A reader should be able to pick up a paper without knowing the assigned topic or the type of writing assigned and be able to understand the writer’s purpose.
A reader should be able to tell if he/she is reading a report, an argument, a narrative or a response to literature.

11. Point of View
Point of view is the perspective a writer uses to approach the informational topic.
Academic: The student may write in the style of an encyclopedia without any reference to personal experiences with the topic.
Personal: The student may write from personal experience with the subject.
Combination: a little of both of the above styles The student may include both formal and personal observations.

12. Organizing Strategies for Informational Writing
Chronological (Time Order)
Similarity/Difference
Cause/Effect Order
Space Order
Question/Answer

13. Demonstrating Audience Awareness in Informational Writing
Effective writers use the following
techniques to engage the reader
Descriptive Details
Figurative Language: Imagery, similes, metaphors
Authoritative voice (being able to tell that the writer knows what they are talking about)
Technical Vocabulary (words that have to do with the topic)
Addressing the reader
Citing the Text

14. Ways to Inform
Describe
Explain
Instruct
Examine
Clarify

15. Informational Paper 10

16. Informational Paper 10 (page two)

17. Informational Paper 10

18. Informational Paper 10 (page two)

19. Comparing/Contrasting Paper
Moth
Butterfly
Alike
Zoom through air
Insects
Lepidoptera order
2 sets of wings
antennae
Different Criteria
Graceful; Colorful; not connected
Dull-colored, drab, Move together when it flies
wings
Look like candy canes without stripes
antennae
Feathery-looking
Slender; Elegant
Flatter; Bulkier
Body styles
Seen at night, near lights
behavior
Seen during the day

20. Moths and Butterflies
A moth and a butterfly both zoom through the air with the greatest of ease. They are like small motorized airplanes zipping in and out. At a quick glance, they may look somewhat alike, but they are different.
Both are insects that belong to the Lepidoptera order. They are similar because they both have two sets of wings that lift them through the air. They also use antennae as feelers on their heads. However, a moth and a butterfly are also dissimilar.

21. The wings of the butterfly are graceful and colorful while those of a moth are dull-colored and often drab looking. A butterfly’s wings are not connected while a moth’s wings are. The moth’s wings move together when it flies. The antennae of a butterfly look like candy canes without the stripes. On the other hand, the moth’s antennae are more feathery-looking.
Another difference is in the body styles. A butterfly is slender and a moth is fatter. The moth appears bulkier than the butterfly. The butterfly seems more elegant because of its shape.

22. Finally, a moth and a butterfly behave differently
Finally, a moth and a butterfly behave differently. People see a butterfly during the day while the moth appears more frequently at dusk or at night. The butterfly flies in areas where grass or flowers grow. However, the moth often flies around lights that are outside. The lights attract the moth.
A butterfly and a moth have a few similar characteristics, but they have more differences. Look carefully the next time a small winged-insect flies through the air. Study the insect carefully to decide if it is a butterfly or a moth.

23. Drafting
Remember when drafting, you do not worry about spelling or errors at this point.
Write your ideas down as they come to you.
Use your brainstorming activity to help you write.

24. Revising/Editing—Proofreading to find your errors and fix or reword sentences to make your information clear.
Publishing/Sharing