What is informative writing? | Year 7 English (Cambridge) PDF Download

What is Informative Writing?

Informative writing teaches readers something new or provides more information about a topic. It includes a variety of forms such as newspaper articles, encyclopedia entries, essays, or non-fiction books. The main goal of informative writing is to inform or educate the reader with factual information.

Characteristics of Informative Writing

• Informative writing is characterized by the presence of factual statements that can be proven true. 
• It does not contain fictional elements or made-up stories. 
• Informative books are filled with facts and are designed to teach the reader about a specific subject.

Examples of Informative Books

• "Tigers" by Laura Marsh: This book provides detailed information about tigers.
• "A Frog's Life" by Donna Harwick: This book explains the life cycle and habits of frogs.
• "Rice and Weather" by Kristen Baird Rattini: This book discusses the relationship between rice cultivation and weather patterns.

Differences Between Informational and Fictional Books

• Informational books focus on providing factual information and often include text features to help readers understand the topic better. 
• Fictional books, on the other hand, are made-up stories by the author and do not contain factual information or aim to teach specific facts about a topic.

Identifying Informational Books

To identify an informational book, look for the following:

• Facts and True Statements: The book contains information that can be verified as true.
• Text Features: Informational books often include headings, photographs, captions, labels, and definitions to help organize the information and make it easier to understand.

Text Features in Informational Books

Text features are special parts of informational books that help readers understand the topic in more detail. They include:

• Headings: Titles that organize the content into sections.
• Photographs and Captions: Images with descriptions that provide visual information and context.
• Labels: Identifications on diagrams or images that explain specific parts.
• Definitions: Explanations of terms that may be unfamiliar to the reader.

Examples of Fictional and Informational Books

• Pandas (Fiction): This book is a story made up by the author and does not contain true statements or factual information about pandas.
• Lions (Informational): This book provides factual information about lions, including text features like headings, photographs, and captions.

Writing Your Own Informational Book

If you have a topic you know a lot about or enjoy learning about, you can write your own informational book.
Follow these steps to get started:

• Choose a Topic: Select something you are interested in and know well.
• Gather Information: Research and collect facts about your topic.
• Organize Your Information: Use text features to help organize your writing.
• Write and Revise: Draft your book, then revise it to ensure accuracy and clarity.

Conclusion

Informative writing is a valuable tool for learning and teaching about various topics. By understanding the characteristics and features of informational books, you can better identify them and even create your own. Whether you enjoy learning about animals, weather, or any other subject, informative writing allows you to explore and share knowledge in a structured and engaging way.