What is an informative essay?
When you write an informative essay, your goal is to explain a topic. The primary purpose of an informative essay is to educate the reader—without injecting your own ideas and opinions.
In most cases, assume the reader knows very little or nothing at all about the subject you're explaining. If you know your audience, write to their level of understanding. For example, publishing an informative essay in a newspaper is very different compared to publishing it in an academic journal. A newspaper might be read by a mainstream audience, while an academic journal may typically be read by specific scholars.
Remember:
- You will usually be writing for your instructor and a general academic audience.
- Common examples of informative essays include 'how-to' guides, definitions of subjects, and data analyses.
- These examples serve only to inform the reader about a specific subject .
- The style of informative writing is utilitarian and concise. Typically, the reader isn't interested in opinions—they just want to learn about the topic.
An informative essay outline should include some key points: Main point or argument of the essay. Plan of what information to be included in the essay. A thesis statement provides organization for an informative essay by explaining how a significant event has led to lasting change. Supporting a specific point of view instead of an objective one. Summarizing what readers should take away from the essay.
- Stuck with informative essay? This article will guide you through planning, research, writing an outline and perfecting the essay.
- Almost all essays have similar format, and you should only make sure to follow it. Failing to follow the format, you might create a messy writing. As the name implies, an informative essay inform or educate readers about the topic. Here is what you should do when you have such writing: Choose topic that you think readers are not so familiar with.
How is an informative essay different from other essays?
When writing an informative essay, explain a topic as objectively as possible, unless otherwise directed by your professor. The clue is in the name—an informative essay delivers information and not much else.
- Journalism is informative in nature, as the facts are presumably presented without bias. The audience gets to decide for themselves what they think about these facts.
- Remember that true objectivity is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.
In contrast, an explanatory essay explores viewpoints surrounding an issue. Moreover, it may suggest why one opinion is superior to another. Because it serves only to educate, there is less emphasis on supporting arguments with evidence.
Note:
- There are also many similarities between an informative essay and an explanatory essay.
- Writers of both essays are trying to help the reader understand something new.
- The only real difference is that an informative essay helps readers understand a new set of facts, while an explanatory essay explains why certain opinions have resulted from those facts.
Why is an informative essay important?
Informative essays help readers understand the facts without adding bias. These types of essays teach students how to impart information without trying to influence people to think in one way or another. Nord vpn will not connect.
Informative essays test your ability to:
- write objectively
- conduct credible research
Planning your informative essay
Choose a topic
The first step is to choose a topic for your informative essay. Pick a topic that interests you, as this will help you stay motivated.
- Choose a topic that appeals to a wider audience, especially if your instructor requires you to give an accompanying presentation with your essay.
- It's easier to educate your audience if they're learning about something they are interested in.
- Avoid essays about a very esoteric topic that few would know about; always avoid specific jargon that a general academic audience would not understand.
Finally, it's a good idea to choose a topic that you already know about. If you have a solid understanding of a subject's background, you will probably find it easier to research the topic and quickly find important facts. With that said, your instructor may choose your topic—or you may enjoy the challenge of writing about something totally new.
Conduct research
The next step is to research the topic for your informative essay. Because an informative essay is based on facts and not opinions, it's important to choose proper sources when researching your topic. Keep the following in mind:
- Look for sources with well-established facts.
- Use primary sources when possible.
- For example, if you are writing about a famous speech or text — use the original or 'primary' document rather than a 'secondary' commentary about the speech or otherwise altered source.
- Secondary sources can still be helpful if they are unbiased and academic in nature.
- The best sources for an informative essay help you clearly define your subject.
Research tips:
- Using a variety of sources will give you more credibility.
- Remember to check the reliability of each source you choose and make sure that 'the facts' are widely accepted by subject matter experts.
- Take notes and bookmark sources that you want to use.
- Save all publication data for correct documentation in your Works Cited, Bibliography, or References section.
- Make sure you understand the format your instructor requires: usually MLA, APA, or Chicago style.
- Write down important quotes or statistics.
Create an outline
Next, create an outline. The outline is important because it helps you keep your thoughts and ideas organized. With a clear structure in place, you'll find that the writing process is much easier once you begin the essay itself. Many instructors require this; some don't. If it isn't required and you don't find outlines useful, skip this step.
If the outline is required, be sure to use the format you are writing the essay in. Refer to MLA or APA guides and model your outline after the examples you find in the guide's index. Some require roman numerals; other styles require alphabetical notation.
You can outline in your own formal style if the assignment doesn't require this step.
An informative essay outline generally consists of the following:
- introduction
- three or more body paragraphs
- conclusion
Writing your informative essay
Write the introduction
Start with a sentence that grabs the reader's attention. Your goal is to educate the reader, but that doesn't mean you can't get them interested in the subject they will learn about. Once you have the reader hooked, provide a generous amount of background information for the subject with a few sentences. Finish the introduction with a thesis statement.
Normally, a thesis statement would communicate an argument or point of view, but opinions do not belong in informative essays. Because of this, your thesis statement should essentially be a one-sentence clarification of the subject you're focusing on. The thesis statement should also make the reader want to continue reading. During the introduction, you might want to touch on the where, who, why, what, how,and when of the topic.
Write the body paragraphs
The body paragraphs of an informative essay go into detail and explore important aspects of the subject you're writing about. Each body paragraph should cover a different aspect of the topic, leaving readers with a more complete understanding of the subject.
- Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence introducing what you'll be discussing.
- Once you've introduced the sub-topic, go into detail and support various facts with the evidence you discovered during your research.
- Try to use a variety of paraphrases, short direct quotes, and your own logical analysis.
- Be careful to avoid accidental plagiarism when paraphrasing or using quotes from outside sources.
- Any outside information must be cited correctly—and/or attributed in your essay and reflected in the works cited or references at the end so your teacher can easily see where the information came from (and find it if they want to).
Remember, you can't just throw your evidence out there and expect your reader to connect the dots on their own. Explain how this evidence relates to the subject and why it's important.
To conclude each of your body paragraphs, write a single sentence summarizing what you've just discussed and how it relates to the main topic. If you can, try to transition into the next body paragraph in a smooth, flowing manner.
Write the conclusion
Once you've finished your body paragraphs, it's time to wrap your informative essay up with a strong conclusion. Start your conclusion by restating your thesis. Remind the reader about the topic, but use different language compared to the thesis in your introduction.
Next, mention why the information you've just delivered is relevant.
- How can the reader use this information in the future?
- What is its impact?
- Why is this information valuable for the average person?
- Can you think of examples of how they might make use of this information in the future?
Informative Essay Outline
Finish your conclusion (and your entire essay) with a sentence that leaves a strong impact on the reader.
The Outline For An Informative Essay Should Include
Hammer home the importance of the subject you've just explored in a new way that you haven't already used in your essay.
A tried-and-true method is to use a powerful quote related to your subject—something that sums up what your subject truly means.
You might even end with an open-ended question that leaves the reader with larger ideas to connect.
Editing your informative essay
What Is An Informative Essay Outline
After you've finished the draft, read it over as many times as you can in order to search for grammar mistakes.
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Try to make the language more coherent and flowing. Ensure that you're using evidence and citing your sources in the correct manner.
Once you're sure that you've found even the smallest errors, find a classmate or peer willing to read over your essay and give you advice. In return, you can also edit their essay.
- Some teachers are happy to review your draft and offer suggestions before you turn in the final draft.
- If you are a college student, check to see if there is a writing lab you can visit for some suggestions on improvement.
Looking for a sample essay? Here is an example informative essay.
Additional tips for writing an informative essay
- Be careful to leave out bias: write as objectively as possible.
- Use a variety of credible sources.
- Transition between ideas and paragraphs to help the essay flow.
- Avoid redundancy, wordiness, and unnecessary repetition.
- Stay on topic: avoid going on long tangents.
- Use the correct academic reference/citation style based on your instructor and discipline.
- Be aware of your audience and write accordingly.
The Outline For An Informative Essay Should Include One
The Outline For An Informative Essay Should Include
Hammer home the importance of the subject you've just explored in a new way that you haven't already used in your essay.
A tried-and-true method is to use a powerful quote related to your subject—something that sums up what your subject truly means.
You might even end with an open-ended question that leaves the reader with larger ideas to connect.
Editing your informative essay
What Is An Informative Essay Outline
After you've finished the draft, read it over as many times as you can in order to search for grammar mistakes.
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Try to make the language more coherent and flowing. Ensure that you're using evidence and citing your sources in the correct manner.
Once you're sure that you've found even the smallest errors, find a classmate or peer willing to read over your essay and give you advice. In return, you can also edit their essay.
- Some teachers are happy to review your draft and offer suggestions before you turn in the final draft.
- If you are a college student, check to see if there is a writing lab you can visit for some suggestions on improvement.
Looking for a sample essay? Here is an example informative essay.
Additional tips for writing an informative essay
- Be careful to leave out bias: write as objectively as possible.
- Use a variety of credible sources.
- Transition between ideas and paragraphs to help the essay flow.
- Avoid redundancy, wordiness, and unnecessary repetition.
- Stay on topic: avoid going on long tangents.
- Use the correct academic reference/citation style based on your instructor and discipline.
- Be aware of your audience and write accordingly.
The Outline For An Informative Essay Should Include One
Published September 7, 2020.
Formal Outline For Informative Essay
By Andrew Block. Andrew received his BA in English from the University of South Carolina and his MA from the University of New Mexico. After more than a decade as a faculty member in a community college, he has worked in client success for an educational technology company since 2018.
How To Do An Informative Essay
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