As students progress through their educational journey, they devote considerable time to informative writing, also known as expository writing. This genre encompasses various forms such as research papers, biographies, informational essays, and how-to guides. Informative writing demands the inclusion of relevant details backed by credible facts, all conveyed in clear and objective language. To help introduce elementary students to this crucial writing style, we offer free printable informational writing graphic organizers!
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Informational Writing Graphic Organizer Pages
Our informational writing bundle includes the following resources:
Top 10 Informative Writing Prompts for Kids
Here are some of our favorite expository writing prompts and essay topics for students. For a complete list of over 70 additional prompts, click here!
- Write about how to plant and care for a garden.
- Explain how a new law is passed in the United States.
- Describe how to live a healthy lifestyle for someone your age.
- Describe the life of a famous artist, musician, actor, or athlete.
- Explain the difference between an alligator and a crocodile.
- Write about the history of the internet.
- Explain how to make a campfire.
- Tell about how the average person lived during a specific historic time and place.
- Describe the life cycle of any animal.
- Write about the history of the Olympics.
Informational Writing FAQs
What is informative writing?
Informative writing, also known as expository writing, aims to explain, describe, or educate readers about a particular topic. It employs facts and evidence to deliver information in a clear and detailed manner. Common examples of informative writing include research papers, lab reports, biographies, informative essays, and how-to guides.
How is informative writing different from opinion or narrative writing?
Informative writing focuses solely on facts, presented in a neutral tone without bias, avoiding any attempt to persuade the reader. In contrast, opinion writing may include facts but is characterized by personal anecdotes and emotional language. Narrative writing, on the other hand, tells a story—whether true or fictional—complete with a clear plot structure including a beginning, middle, and end.
For example, an encyclopedia entry on Kamala Harris is an instance of informative writing. A letter to the editor urging people to vote for her in the next election represents opinion writing, while a personal account of an experience working on her presidential campaign exemplifies narrative writing.
What are the key components of strong informative writing?
Strong informative writing features a clear main idea, well-organized and reliably sourced facts, and supporting details. It includes logical transitions and conclusions and may incorporate technical language relevant to the topic. Additionally, it often necessitates a bibliography or list of research sources.
Why should students use graphic organizers for informational writing?
Given that informative writing requires thorough research and planning, students often make the mistake of including excessive information. A graphic organizer helps them focus on the most significant facts and supporting details. By planning ahead with an organizer, students can develop stronger main ideas and a clearer overall structure, complete with logical transitions and coherent explanations. This is especially beneficial for students who are new to informative writing or those who encounter difficulties when writing.
How can I help students find reliable sources for informative writing?
Begin by encouraging students to critically assess their information sources, using primary sources whenever feasible. (Remember, Wikipedia is not a credible primary source!) Teach them to recognize potential biases and to select sources that are reliable, neutral, and widely regarded as trustworthy. For further guidance on helping students identify reliable sources for informative writing, click here.
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