Writing
INFORMATIVE or
EXPLANATORY
Texts
English Language Arts
Year 11 and 12
Learning OBJECTIVES
01 02 03 04
Understand the Give an List some of the Select a range
definition, overview of the structural of accurate and
purpose and qualities, style features of two credible primary
types of and formality of key text types - and secondary
informative or informative explanatory sources for
explanatory texts. essays and your research.
texts. informative
reports.
contents
What is Informative or
1. Explanatory Writing?
2. Types of Informative Texts
3. Important Qualities
4. Structural Features
5. Style, Tone and Formality
6. Primary & Secondary Sources
What is informative or
explanatory writing?
Informative or explanatory writing seeks to accurately convey information to a reader with a
primary purpose to increase knowledge, to help them better understand a procedure or
process, or to enhance their comprehension of a concept.
Informative texts answer questions of 'why' or 'how', by clearly and accurately explaining a topic
and selecting and incorporating relevant examples to support.
Although informative writing holds some similarities to argumentative writing, the style and tone
overall is different. Where argument seeks to persuade, explanation seeks to create
understanding. It does not aim to change the reader's thinking or move the reader to take action
but simply seeks to educate them on a topic.
autobiography and biography
literary analysis
explanatory essays
types of summaries
informative scientific reports
texts historical accounts
The informative or explanatory genre
covers a range of text types such as
scholarly articles
such as:
important qualities
accuracy specificity clarity
As you are sharing Vague, broad or general As a writer, you won’t
knowledge, you need to statements suggest that always know exactly who is
ensure the information you haven't put in the time reading your piece so you
given is correct, factual, or effort to research have to assume some
well-researched and properly. people might be new to the
referenced (if applicable). information or topic.
It's fine to start with
As a writer you need to general questions such as The clearer you are, the
appear well-informed, and who, what, where and when more likely it is you will
trustworthy, establishing a but ensure you delve into achieve your purpose of
sense of authority and the why and how and passing on knowledge to
expertise over your topic. follow particular and the reader.
interesting trails.
structural features
There are two main informational text types you might be required to create:
explanatory essay informative report
Begins with an introduction that introduces a Depending on the length, can begin with a title
topic and grabs the reader's attention. page, table of contents, index or preface.
Gives specific, relevant information supported Information organised logically (still including an
through evidence such as facts, statistics, introduction body and conclusion) that is
examples, quotations from experts and organised into sections with headings and/or
anecdotes. subheadings.
Clear organization of ideas and information in Supporting visual elements such as photographs,
format relevant to the topic e.g. illustrations, maps, graphs, tables or diagrams
compare/contrast, cause/effect, definition, with captions.
sequence or timeline. Bolded or italicised fonts, text boxes and bullet
Ends with a conclusion that summarizes the pointed lists sometimes used.
main points. Glossary and/or references at the end.
style, tone and formality
Formal and objective writing is writing that employs impersonal and precise language
and a neutral tone. In other words, it is writing professionally and officially without
sharing personal opinions. Information should be delivered in a straightforward manner
with precise vocabulary relevant to the topic and appropriate transition words that
indicate relationships between ideas or topics.
Some other tips when writing formally:
Slang and colloquial phrases should be avoided at all costs as they sound too casual.
Steer clear of low modality language e.g. 'kind of', 'sort of' and 'maybe'. They make
you sound uncertain or unsure about your topic.
Avoid contractions (e.g. isn't should become 'is not')
First person point of view is too personal. Instead, aim for third-person point of
view which is more objective.
primary & secondary sources
When researching for your informative text, you'll likely use a combination of both primary and
secondary sources.
primary sources secondary sources
Primary sources include raw information and first- Secondary sources provide second-hand
hand evidence about the people, events or information and commentary from other
phenomena that you are researching. researchers and may describe, interpret, evaluate
or analyse the primary sources.
It might include texts like letters, photographs,
interviews, diaries, official documents or records, It might include texts like articles, journals, reviews,
novels, poems, films, speech transcripts or books, media articles, documentaries, textbooks or
newspaper and magazine articles. essays.
choosing your sources
When researching for your information text you'll want to use as many primary
sources as possible as they are more credible when used as evidence but as
mentioned previously, it's fine to combine them with secondary sources as these
draw on existing research allowing you access to other authors' interpretations. The
two types complement each other to help you convey a well-rounded and convincing
text.
Make sure you look for sources that seem accurate, reliable and
credible. When anlaysing a source, ask yourself questions such as:
Who wrote it? Why? When? Under what circumstances? For whom?'
The more sources you can use, and the more varied they are, the
more likely you are to make a sound judgment and deliver accurate
information.
recap and final advice
There are many forms of informative or explanatory writing that you may be required
to do throughout your schooling or throughout life so it's important to understand the
style, structure and overall purpose of this text type.
All informative texts seek to accurately convey information to a reader with a
primary purpose to increase knowledge.
You should assume that your audience consists of educated, intelligent, nonspecialists
so try to ensure your writing is accurate, specific and clear to have the best chance
of successfully passing on knowledge of your topic.
Good luck and let's get writing!
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