Writing

INFORMATI or
VE
EXPLANATO
RY
Texts
English Language Arts
Year 11 and 12
 Learning OBJECTIVES
0 02 0 04
Understand the Give an overview List some of the Select a range of
1
definition, purpose of the qualities, 3
structural features accurate and
and types of style and formality of two key text credible primary
informative or of informative types - explanatory and secondary
explanatory texts. texts. essays and sources for your
informative research.
reports.
contents
What is Informative or Explanatory
1. 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 such as:
scholarly articles
important qualities
accuracy
As you are sharing knowledge,
you need to ensure the
information given is correct,
factual, well-researched and
referenced (if applicable).
As a writer you need to appear
well-informed, and trustworthy,
establishing a sense of
authority and expertise over
your topic.
specificity
Vague, broad or general
statements suggest that you
haven't put in the time or effort
to research properly.
It's fine to start with general
questions such as who, what,
where and when but ensure you
delve into the why and how and
follow particular and
interesting trails.
clarity
As a writer, you won’t always
know exactly who is reading
your piece so you have to
assume some people might be
new to the information or topic.
The clearer you are, the more
likely it is you will achieve
your purpose of passing on
knowledge to the reader.
structural features
There are two main informational text types you might be required to create:
explanatory essay
• Begins with an introduction that introduces a topic and
grabs the reader's attention.
• Gives specific, relevant information supported through
evidence such as facts, statistics, examples, quotations
from experts and anecdotes.
• Clear organization of ideas and information in format
relevant to the topic e.g. compare/contrast,
cause/effect, definition, sequence or timeline.
• Ends with a conclusion that summarizes the main
points.
informative report
• Depending on the length, can begin with a title page,
table of contents, index or preface.
• Information organised logically (still including an
introduction body and conclusion) that is organised
into sections with headings and/or subheadings.
• Supporting visual elements such as photographs,
illustrations, maps, graphs, tables or diagrams with
captions.
• Bolded or italicised fonts, text boxes and bullet pointed
lists sometimes used.
• 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-hand Secondary sources provide second-hand information and
evidence about the people, events or phenomena that you are commentary from other researchers and may describe,
researching. interpret, evaluate or analyse the primary sources.

It might include texts like letters, photographs, interviews, It might include texts like articles, journals, reviews, books,
diaries, official documents or records, novels, poems, films, media articles, documentaries, textbooks or essays.
speech transcripts or newspaper and magazine articles.
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!

elements