INFORMATIONAL or Expository Writing
7th Grade
English/ Language Arts
Unit 3
TROY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
February 9, 2015
Authored by: Mrs. Anderson
Beginning Informational Writing
DEFINITION of Informational Writing:
Material through which an author shares ideas, facts, or instructions by helping the reader to compare
familiar items with items that are not familiar
FUNCTION of Informational Writing:
Used in completing school projects, applying for and carrying out the duties of a job, and performing
personal communications
TYPES of Informational Writing:
Letters, biographies, definitions of simple or abstract ideas, summaries, instructions or directions,
description of a method or process, explanation of causes and effects, analysis of facts or ideas, comparisons of
facts and ideas, expression of opinions through critique or review
Answer the following questions.
1. Why would a set of directions be considered informational writing?
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2. What facts would you include in a set of directions that describes the route that you take to school?
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3. For the PSSA writing test, you will not be allowed to conduct research. Why should you choose a topic
with which you are already familiar?
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Four writing styles are required for the prompts included in the PSSA. You might be required to write an
informational piece to complete the one prompt you are given. What are these prompts like? Here is an
example that we will work on in class.
PROMPT
Think about the places you have visited in Pennsylvania. Select one. Write a letter to inform a cousin who
lives in another state about your trip. Tell your cousin about this location and why you chose it for your trip.
As you write and rewrite your paper, remember to:
o Provide enough details to let your reader know what this place is like.
o Include only details that are specific and relevant in explaining why you chose this area as
your topic.
o Present your ideas clearly and logically.
o Use words and well-constructed sentences effectively.
o Correct any errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
Answer the following questions. They will help you practice setting the focus, or topic and main
idea, for an informational piece.
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1. For the prompt shown above, what are you supposed to write about?
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2. Who will be your audience? What is your purpose for writing?
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3. What place would you choose in order to complete the prompt?
4. What must you describe to your cousin?
5.
What must you explain to your cousin?
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6.
What PA location did you choose to write about? _______________________________________________
7. Use the lines below to list the major points about this location that you could include in your
writing. Think of five major points.
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8. How should you arrange the details for this prompt?
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9. What kinds of details should you present while preparing an informational piece for this
prompt?
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10.
Give at least five reasons of why you chose this particular place for your topic.
A. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
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B. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
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C. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
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D. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
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E. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
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Say I chose…State College, PA. Things I would like to share with my cousin include:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Hiking Mount Nittany
Eating at Bell’s Greek Pizza
Creamery Ice Cream
Attending a Penn State Football game at Beaver Stadium
Tour of the Pennsylvania State University campus
Attending a concert at the Bryce Jordan Center
Shopping at downtown shops on College Avenue
This is my brainstorming list.
Now, which 3 do I know the most about? Or which 3 would be the most meaningful to my cousin?
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a. Attending a Penn State Football game at Beaver Stadium
b. Attending a concert at the Bryce Jordan Center
c. Eating at various restaurants
The format for this particular informational essay is a letter.
A letter will look like this:
Today’s date
Dear Cousin,
The normal introduction of an essay will be your first paragraph of your
letter. All points will still take place in your introduction.
You will have 3 body paragraphs to your letter, just as you would have in
an essay. These are the three topics that you want to tell your cousin about.
Each topic will have its own paragraph.
The normal conclusion of an essay will be your last paragraph of your
letter.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Anderson
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Outline for Informational Essay
I.
Introduction
A. Good (attention-getting) first sentence ABOUT your topic
B. Two to three connecting sentences
C. Thesis statement:
II.
First topic/ Body paragraph 1
A. Transition
B. Topic sentence for point 1 that you want to make:
Topic Sentence: (sits at the beginning of the paragraph and states what the paragraph is about.) A good topic
sentence is clear and interesting, and includes two main parts: the subject (who or what the paragraph is about)
and the focus (what the paragraph is going to say about the subject).
C. Discussion of point 1: This will be done in 3-4 sentences. Give details.
The body paragraphs will be the main bulk of the essay, and they 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.
III.
Second topic/ Body paragraph II
A. Transition
B. Topic sentence for point 2 that you want to make
C. Discussion of point 2: This will be done in 3-4 sentences. Give details
IV.
Third topic/ Body paragraph III
A. Transition
B. Topic sentence for point 3 that you want to make
C. Discussion of point 3: This will be done in 3-4 sentences. Give details.
V.
Conclusion (2-3 sentences that recap or answer the thesis that you set out to do in the beginning)
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The following are NOT an effective way to begin your composition.
DO NOT
“In my composition I will tell you about _________________”
“This composition is about ____________________.”
“Now I will tell you about _____________________.”
“Listen carefully, and I will tell you about ____________________________.”
So, here we go. Using your above information, we are going to write our first informational essay.
Beginning with the introduction, let’s get our ideas organized.
I.
Introduction
Good (attention-getting) first sentence ABOUT your topic:
I have recently returned from the most amazing vacation to State College, in Centre County, PA.
Two to three connecting sentences:
I really want to write to you about my trip because I know how much you like to travel, and since
we enjoy similar surroundings, I thought you would appreciate the information.
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Thesis statement:
Although there are more attractions that I could write about, I will discuss three items that really
appealed to me in this area. [The area has so much to offer. Perhaps you can suggest a family
vacation to State College, PA to your mom and dad. Hopefully, you can visit there in the near
future.]
These last two sentences might actually be better placed in the
conculsion. Wait to see.
II. First topic/ Body paragraph 1
D.
Transition
First of all, State College is home to the University of Pennsylvania, and Penn State loves its
football.
E.
Topic sentence for point 1 that you want to make:
Topic Sentence: (sits at the beginning of the paragraph and states what the
paragraph is about.) A good topic sentence is clear and interesting, and
includes two main parts: the subject (who or what the paragraph is about)
and the focus (what the paragraph is going to say about the subject).
F.Discussion of point 1: This will be done in 3-4 sentences. Give details.
I highly recommend that you buy tickets to attend a Penn State Football game at
Beaver Stadium. Home games are played on Saturdays. There are approximately
______ fans that attend each game. The Blue Band is also awesome. They play at
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halftime. They really put on a good show. This is an event that you do not want to
miss.
III.
Second topic/ Body paragraph II
D. Transition
E. Topic sentence for point 2 that you want to make
F. Discussion of point 2: This will be done in 3-4 sentences. Give details
IV.
Third topic/ Body paragraph III
D. Transition
E. Topic sentence for point 3 that you want to make
F. Discussion of point 3: This will be done in 3-4 sentences. Give details.
V.
Conclusion (2-3 sentences that recap or answer the thesis that you set out to do in the beginning)
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February 9, 2015
Dear Cousin Sven,
Hello! I hope this finds you well. I have recently returned home from the most amazing
vacation to State College, PA. I really want to tell you about it because I know how much you like
to travel, and since we like similar surroundings, I thought you would appreciate the information.
Although there are more attractions that I could write about, I will discuss three items that really
appealed to me in this area.
First of all, State College is home to the University of Pennsylvania, and Penn State loves its
football. I had always wanted to attend a game, and I am so glad I did!
….
….
…
I hope my information is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Your Cousin
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