How to Write an Informative Essay (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

An informative essay gives the reader an insight into something. You need to understand something and how to convey information in a clear and orderly manner. Do it step by step if you find it difficult to do it the first time. You will be able to write good writing if you work systematically, even you can enjoy the writing process!

Step

Part 1 of 3: Selecting and Studying Your Topic

Step 1. Try to understand your assignment

If you are doing writing assignments as part of your schoolwork, then you need to make sure about the rules for the length of writing and the desired range of topics. This can help you determine the amount of information needed in your writing. Check the syllabus and assignment conditions beforehand; ask your teacher if you still need some clarification.

Be sure to understand how to write citations according to your teacher's instructions so that you can follow the rules throughout the writing process. Some schools provide citation software such as EndNote or RefWorks, which can make it easier for you to gather and cite sources of information from your writing.
Pay attention to any provisions of the writing format. Your teacher's writing format requirements usually include information about whether the writing should be handwritten or typed and the type and size of the letters used. If this is not specified, then the safe and easy-to-read choice is Times New Roman or Arial with font size 12. Avoid using "pretty" or "weird" typefaces in your academic writing unless you are given specific permission. to do it.
Know the writing deadline! Start early so you'll have plenty of time to finish your essay.

Step 2. Choose a topic

If the writing topic is not specified, then you need to define your own topic. You'll get into trouble if you have a very wide range of writing topics to choose from, so keep the following general rules of topic selection in mind:

The topic should not be too broad nor too narrow. For more information, see the Wikihow article entitled "How to Write an Essay." The topic you choose should have enough information to write about, but not so much that you cannot contain clear and concise information. For example, when you select the topic "history of the animal sanctuary" it might be too broad, while the topic "history of the Sunny Days animal sanctuary in district X" might be too narrow. A topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow could be "the history of certain types of animal shelters in America."
The topic must be interesting and appropriate to the reader. Pay attention to who will read your essay. Of course, if the essay is part of a school assignment, then your teacher is the main reader, but you should also keep your target audience in mind. What do they want to know? What do they not know that can be learned from your essay?
These topics should ideally be topics that interest you. This can make the writing process easier and you can channel your enthusiasm for writing to your readers.

Step 3. Do a good study

For informative essays, this is especially important when you need to find accurate information. Pay attention to objective sources to use in your essay. A librarian can assist you in finding reliable information, such as encyclopedias, books, journals and appropriate web pages. Be careful when using the internet, including using the Wikipedia site, because much of the content on these sites is not reliable.

Try to find online sources from trusted organizations, government agencies, and universities to get the best results. You can start by searching on the Google Scholar site

Step 4. Take notes as you conduct a literature review

Use a blank sheet of paper or a notebook to jot down interesting information as you read it. In addition, you can also type on the computer. Whatever form of notes you choose, find a way to make sure the notes for your essay are in the same place.

You need to write an introduction of at least three main points, as well as a conclusion in your informative essay. You may need to take notes as needed when creating these sections of the essay

Step 5. Know the sources that will be used

You should first understand the information about citation procedures in your essay. The citation usually includes the author's name, title, publisher, copyright information, and the address of the web page (if relevant).

Step 6. Form your idea

When you feel you have enough information from your study, form your ideas to help classify the information and see the relationships between the information.

Make a concept map. Enter your topic in a circle in the middle of a blank sheet of paper, then draw circles around the topic circle containing important information or ideas related to the topic. Draw a line to connect each idea to the topic. Then, add more details to each idea in the circle and draw lines to show the relationships between the ideas. The lines that are made can connect ideas with other ideas or between one detail and other details.
Make a list. If you prefer a linear format like a list, write your topic at the top and then write down any ideas you have below that topic. Add other detailed information to help the idea right at the bottom of the idea. Don't worry too much about arranging the detailed information in a particular order - that comes next.
Write free. Freelancing can help you develop ideas even if it doesn't provide the glossy work you'll use as your final manuscript. Set a specific time, say 15 minutes, then write down whatever comes to your mind that relates to the topic you're writing about. Do your editing and spell checking, and keep writing even when you don't have any ideas to write about. The most important point at this point is to write for the full 15 minutes.

Part 2 of 3: Creating a Writing Schematic

Step 1. Make a compelling introduction

You should have an idea that you want to convey in the main statement of your writing, which is usually about two to three sentences that can describe your entire argument.

You don't have to make your main idea very neat and precise right then and there. If you don't feel ready to write down your main idea sentence, make a note in the introduction to your writing scheme. You should at least have an idea of what your essay will talk about.
While summarizing your essay before you write it completely may seem awkward, writing a key statement at the beginning of your writing scheme will help you organize your ideas and choose other detailed information to include.

Step 2. Use one supporting idea for each paragraph in the body of your essay

The body of your essay is the part between the introductory paragraph and the conclusion. Select the main supporting idea from your study that represents your overall idea (from Step 1).

The number of supporting ideas you can fit will depend on the length of the essay: if you are writing an essay with five paragraphs, you will be writing 3 paragraphs in the body of the essay, so you need three main ideas.
Make sure that you choose the most important supporting idea, which is also different from the rest.
Supporting ideas are used to support your main idea which is usually used as "evidence."

Step 3. Write a supporting idea for each paragraph in the body of your essay

Once you know the main points of each paragraph in your essay, then you need to write supporting ideas that can help your readers understand the main idea of each paragraph. Supporting ideas can be in the form of examples, factual information, quotations or further explanations.

Make sure you have adequate supporting ideas for each paragraph. If you don't have enough supporting ideas, then you may need to change the topic or combine it with another paragraph. Also, you can explore further to find other supporting ideas to include in the paragraph

Step 4. Review your main ideas in the conclusion

Conclusion basically sums up what has been discussed and gives new nuance and experience to your idea. Review your ideas to make sure that the reader understands what you have written.

Part 3 of 3: Writing Your Essay

Step 1. Write down a rough draft

Using your writing scheme as a guide, turn your notes into full paragraphs.

Don't worry too much about spelling mistakes just yet. Keep in mind, that this is still a rough draft, not your final writing. Just focus on writing, after that you can correct any mistakes you find.
You can write or type your rough draft - whatever is easier for you.

Step 2. Provide a topic sentence for each paragraph

Often, the topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph that explains the main idea of each paragraph. It can also serve as a transition from the main idea of the previous paragraph to the main idea of the next paragraph.

An example of a topic/transition sentence could be: "While some companies allow unions, some companies, such as company X, think that unions can threaten jobs." This sentence provides a clear direction for the paragraph (some companies oppose unions) as well as links to the review from the previous paragraph (which may be about companies supporting unions).
Remember: each paragraph must be intact (have one main idea), have a clear relationship to the main idea, be coherent (the logical relationship of each idea from each paragraph), and develop (the ideas can be clearly explained and supported).

Step 3. Structure your essay

Your essay should have at least an introductory paragraph, a body section and a conclusion. Each body part of your essay must follow the "P-B-P" formula: Statement + Evidence + Explanation. Use supporting ideas and your own thoughts to further explain the topic or idea of the paragraph.

Make sure that you understand every idea of each paragraph. Revisit your writing scheme to make you understand it

Step 4. Edit your rough draft

Read your rough draft several times and ask the following questions:

Have you explained everything you need regarding your topic to the reader?
Do you have a clear main statement, written in two or three sentences?
Does each paragraph in your essay relate to your main statement?
Does each paragraph have one main idea and is supported by objective and accurate supporting ideas?
Does your conclusion summarize your thoughts on the topic without adding new ideas or information?
What is the flow of the essay writing? Is the flow clear and has logical transitions between paragraphs?
Have you used a clear, concise style of language and avoided flowery language?
Did the reader learn anything new from your essay? Is your essay presented in an interesting way?
Does your citation style match the teacher's instructions?

Step 5. Write your final draft

You can turn your rough draft notes into final drafts. If you have completed your rough draft, then turning it into a final draft will not be difficult.

As you write your final essay, keep the coherence of your essay. Concepts that are still rough often have a record of ideas that are still random and do not have a clear and logical flow of ideas. The main difference between the rough draft and the final draft is that the final concept must be presented with a clear, smooth and easy to read idea structure that builds on the previous points. Make sure you follow the P-B-P- formula to help you with that

Step 6. Complete your essay language

When you've created an entire paragraph that has a clear flow of ideas, you can start paying attention to the language choices of your essay. Read your essay aloud, listening for any passages that sound odd or awkward. Fix that part.