Introducing Essay 2 and
Informative Writing
Discussing the Prompt and Brainstorming Ideas
Congrats on Finishing
Your Midterm!
Freewrite:
• Think of a topic—any topic—that you don’t know a lot
about but are interested in. You may not know much
about it, but you want to find out more.
o For example, I don’t know much about cars and automobile maintenance, but I
would like to learn at least the basics.
• Then, think of a topic that you do know a lot about, that
you think is interesting and that other people might find
interesting too. Write a little about it.
o For example, I know a lot about fantasy novels.
• Did you know that parts of The Lord of the Rings were influenced by JRR
Tolkien’s experiences in WW1? Also, the Twilight novels were definitely not
the first books about a vampire/human romance? In fact these stories are
extremely old—the first was probably Carmilla, published in 1872 and
predating Dracula by 26 years!
The Informative Essay
Why Write an Informative Essay?
• Informative writing is practical.
o It is the kind of writing you are most likely to write in
the workplace
o It shares information on specialized topics
• Informative writing can help highlight important
issues and causes, or subjects and subcultures
that are not well-known.
• Informative writing can help dispel
misconceptions, and fight against stereotypes
and prejudice.
o Don’t forget: education is the enemy of hate and fear.
Keys to Informative Writing, continued
• EXPLAIN INFORMATION FOR YOUR READER
o Just because you have become familiar with the topic does not mean that your
reader is.
o Give background and history that your reader will need in one or two paragraphs
early on.
o Part of your job is to break it down and explain things in a logical, step-by-step
manner.
o Make it interesting and easy to understand!
• EXPLORE QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
o Find out what the current debates are relating to your topic.
o What is commonly known? What is not known?
o Readers like to read about controversy. If there is a controversy relating to your
topic, discuss it!
o What fascinates you about this topic? Get your reader to SHARE your fascination
by explaining and exploring what you find so fascinating.
Discuss the Prompt
• Pass out Prompt and Discuss
• Take notes on the prompt.
• Write ideas and questions on it!
Steps in Creating an Informative Essay
• Most of the work on an informative essay is done before you
actually sit down to type. Here are the general steps to take:
1. After you have chosen the topic, you will need to gather
all the pertinent details on that subject. You need to
ascertain what you already know about the
subject and then decide what you need to research
to make your essay well-informed and complete.
2. You will need to make a list of the important facts and
then list the main steps in your paper. Make sure all
your facts are accurate. You will need to write a topic
sentence for each fact and write a focus sentence (thesis
statement) for the entire essay.
Steps in Creating an Informative Essay
• Most of the work on an informative essay is done before you
actually sit down to type. Here are the general steps to take:
3. Create an outline that will organize your facts in a logical
way. Then you will be ready to make your first draft.
4. Editing is an important step for any writing project.
Reading your essay out loud will help you notice places
where the writing is awkward or unclear. If possible,
have someone else read it and give you their ideas for
improvement. Of course, you will need to pay attention
for grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and
other errors.
Subject Options for Informative Essays
• Informative essays, sometimes called expository essays, can be used for
many purposes. They can compare viewpoints on a controversial subject
as long as they don’t include the author’s opinions. They may analyze
data, like in a cause and effect situation, or educate the audience on
ways to do something, like solving a certain kind of problem.
o An informative essay might educate the audience on how to open a
bank account.
• Or how to buy a house
• Or understand your credit score
o An informative essay might explain the health benefits of a
Vegetarian or Vegan Diet.
• Or the importance of exercise
o An informative essay might discuss the cost savings of Hybrid
vehicles
• Or why having your air ducts cleaned is important
• Or what “green washing” is and how to identify real eco-friendly
products
Changes to the Schedule
Next Week: Week 13 – Tuesday, November 24
• The new stuff is in BOLD and UNDERLINED
• Due Next Week:
• Read in Pathways
o “Essay Basics and Development” pg. 476—481
o “Process Paragraphs” pg. 397-400
o Example Paragraphs” pg.380-382
• Also Read
o “Ways to Improve Your Memory” pg. 36
o “The Playlist’s the Thing” pg. 169
Break Time!
Please return in 10 to 15 minutes
The Structure and Organization
of an Informative Essay
• The basic structure of an informative essay is very simple. It
needs to have a beginning, middle, and end.
• The beginning needs to present the topic and grab the
attention of the audience. It needs to include the focus
sentence for the entire essay.
• The middle will be the main bulk of the essay and it will
contain all the important facts that you are covering. This is
where the audience will get their questions answered.
Remember to answer these questions: who, what, where,
when, why, and how.
• The end is a conclusion where you will summarize the essay. It
should spur the reader or listener to learn more about the
topic.
The Introduction
• Here is an example of the beginning of an
informative essay:
o “You might not think that today is the day that
you will save a life, but it might be. It is quite
easy to save a life any day and it only takes a
little bit of your time. I’m not talking about
being a paramedic or fireman; I am talking
about donating blood.”
The Conclusion
• Here is an example of a conclusion for an informative
essay:
o “So that now you know how easy it is to donate blood,
it’s time to take action. After all, you have plenty of
blood, so why not share? When you do, you will feel
good about yourself and you will save a life.”
But What About All the Stuff in the Middle?
The Body Paragraphs
What is a paragraph?
• A paragraph is a group of sentences that work together
for a common purpose.
• All of the sentences in a paragraph are about the same
general topic.
• Each sentence works with the others in order to achieve
the purpose of the paragraph.
• Paragraphs contain a topic sentence and two different
types of support: primary support and secondary
support.
• Each new paragraph is indented five spaces.
What is a topic sentence?
• Your topic sentence introduces the main idea of your
paragraph.
• A topic sentence has two parts: a topic an a controlling
idea.
o Your topic is what the paragraph is about.
o Your controlling idea is the opinion or idea about the
topic that the paragraph will explain.
Example Topic Sentences
• Let’s say that you were writing a paragraph about the
topic “Cell phones.”
• There are many different ideas or opinions about cell
phones that you could explore, so it’s important to pick
just one. You might write…
– Cell phones that can connect to the internet have
changed the way people shop.
– Cell phones and texting should be banned during class
time.
Supporting Your Topic Sentence
• When you have decided what your topic and your
controlling idea will be, it is time to support your topic
sentence.
o Primary support points are the major ideas that
support your topic sentence. (They are usually general
rather than specific.)
o Secondary support points are specific examples and
details that back up your primary support.
Example Paragraph Outline
•
•
•
•
Topic Sentence: Cell phones that can connect to the internet have changed
the way people shop.
Primary support 1: Able to check reviews online.
• Secondary support: Checked reviews for digital camera at Best Buy.
• Secondary support: Check reviews of new authors at amazon.com
before buying at a local bookstore.
Primary support 2: Able to compare prices at other stores while shopping.
• Compared prices for The Man from UNCLE movie on the first day it
was out.
• Compared prices for new flash drive when I lost my old one.
Primary support 3: Able to use coupons without ever printing them out.
• Used a 40% off coupon scanned off of my iPhone at World Market last
week.
• Used Target’s “Cartwheel” app to save on groceries and medical
supplies.
Completed Paragraph
Cell phones that can connect to the internet have changed the way people
shop. First of all, customers can immediately check reviews online
before making a decision. When I was shopping for a digital camera at
Best Buy, I used an iPhone to see which brand had the most positive
reviews. Also, when I buy a book by a new author at a local bookstore, I
sometimes check reviews of his or her books at amazon.com first.
Second, customers can compare prices at other stores while they are
out shopping. When the movie The Man from U.N.C.L.E. came out, I
compared prices online and was surprised to find that Target had a
better price than some online discount stores. I also compared prices
using a cell phone when I lost my flash drive and had to buy a new one.
Finally, customers are able to use in-store coupons without ever
printing them out, which saves a lot of money, paper, and ink. Last week,
I used a 40% off coupon scanned off of my phone at World Market, and I
just started using Target’s “Cartwheel” app to save on groceries and other
basics. In these ways, cell phones are making it easier for customers to
find the best deals and make informed decisions.
Discussing This Week’s Reading as an
Example of Informative Writing
“Credit Card Smarts: Take Charge of Your Card” on page 146
Group Discussion:
• Get in groups of 3 or 4.
• After you are in your groups, take a few minutes to review the
reading silently on your own and refresh your memory on the main
points in this reading.
• After you all do this, discuss the reading and connect it to your own
experiences:
o Which do you currently use to pay for purchases most often: cash, check, credit
card or debit card?
o Have you ever used a credit card to buy something “big”?
o Have you ever used a credit card for daily expenses you could not afford?
o Did you learn anything new by reading this essay, or was it mostly information
you have already heard elsewhere?
Check Out the Idea Map on pg.149
• On page 149, there is an idea map that lays out the
organization on the essay “Credit Card Smarts”.
• There are gaps in the idea map.
• As a team, your group should fill in the missing sections.
• There are 8 missing sections. Number them on a piece of
paper and fill in what’s missing.
• Be sure to put everyone’s name on it for in-class credit.
Finding Topics
• What are some “interesting questions” you could
ask that might lead to a paper topic?
• Sometimes, the best way to jump start your own
ideas is to look for examples of the kind of writing
you want to do.
o Find examples of informative writing in magazines and
newspaper. Feature articles are often informative but
not “straight news” (i.e. reporting an event rather than
exploring an idea.) We want to focus on exploring ideas.
Find Examples of Informative Writing
• Feature Articles in Magazines and Newspapers often
work well for this:
o http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/featurehub
o http://www.scientificamerican.com/department.cfm?id=feature-article
• Let’s look at them.
• Remember, these are only two examples.
• There are thousands out there!
o Extra Credit Challenge: Find an informative essay (a short
one please!) and bring a printed copy to class next week!
Brainstorm Your Topic Ideas!
• Look at the prompt for the Informative Essay again.
• On the back, (or in your notebook if you prefer) start
brainstorming your topic ideas.
• Please feel free to come ask me if you have any questions
about the prompt OR the changes to the schedule and
homework.
Next Week Reminders:
• Week 13 – Tuesday, November 24
o In Class: Discuss writing informatively and with examples. Also
creating a strong thesis statement.
• Due:
o Read Pathways
• “Essay Basics and Development” pg. 476—481
• “Process Paragraphs” pg. 397-400
• Example Paragraphs” pg.380-382
o Also Read
• “Ways to Improve Your Memory” pg. 36
• “The Playlist’s the Thing” pg. 169