Students spend a lot of time doing informational or informational writing (also called expository writing), especially as they get older. Research papers, biographies, informational articles, and how-to guides all fall into this category. This type of writing requires relevant details backed by solid facts and presented in clear, non-emotional language. Introduce elementary school students to this important composition style with our free printable informational writing graphic organizer!
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Information writing graphic organization page
Here’s what’s included in our information writing package:
Top 10 Informational Writing Tips for Kids
These are our favorite expository writing prompts and essay topics for students. Also, check out our full list of 70+ here!
- Write down how to plant and care for a garden.
- Explain how new laws are passed in the United States.
- Describe how someone your age leads a healthy lifestyle.
- Describe the life of a famous artist, musician, actor, or athlete.
- Explain the difference between alligator and crocodile.
- Write a history of the Internet.
- Explain how to build a campfire.
- It tells how ordinary people lived in a specific historical time and place.
- Describe the life cycle of any animal.
- Write a history of the Olympic Games.
Informational Writing FAQs
What is informational writing?
Informative writing (also called expository or informational writing) is designed to explain, describe, or teach readers about a topic. It uses facts and evidence to present information in clear, detailed language. Examples of informational writing include research papers, lab reports, biographies, informational articles, and how-to guides.
How does informational writing differ from opinion or narrative writing?
Informational writing strictly follows the facts presented by the author in a neutral tone and does not offer opinions or attempt to persuade the reader. Opinion writing uses facts but with a different tone—it includes personal anecdotes and language designed to evoke emotion in the reader. Narrative writing tells a story (real or fictional) with a clear plot that includes a beginning, middle, and end.
For example, the encyclopedia entry about Kamala Harris is informational writing. A letter to the editor asking people to vote for Kamala Harris in the next election is opinion or persuasive writing. Narrative writing is a personal account of the work of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
What are the key components of strong informational writing?
Informational writing includes clear main ideas, well-organized and reliably sourced facts and supporting details, and logical transitions and conclusions. It can use technical language specific to the topic. This type of writing usually requires a bibliography or list of research sources.
Why should students use graphic organizers for informational writing?
Informational writing requires research and planning. A common mistake student writers make is including too much information—graphic organizers can help narrow down important facts and supporting details. Planning ahead with an organizer can result in stronger main ideas and a clearer overall structure, with logical transitions and coherent explanations. Using graphic organizers is especially important for those who are new to informational writing or for students who struggle with writing in general.
How do I help students find reliable sources for informational writing?
Start by teaching students to think critically about sources of facts and to use primary sources whenever possible. (Wikipedia is not a reliable primary source!) Show them how to recognize potential bias and choose sources that are reliable, neutral, and widely trusted whenever possible. Learn more about helping students find reliable sources for informational writing here.
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