informational text
A good Informational text is one that demonstrates the author is an expert in a particular field. The author creates an organized and well thought-out piece that helps enlighten the reader understand better the content. For instance if the student is writing an autobiography and they are a gamer who spend countless hours playing Minecraft, it might be a good idea to reveal what is so appealing about playing the game and what it says about who you are. If my grandmother was very influential in my life and helped me enormously become the man I am, then it would make sense for me to include a chapter about the woman. If I am an expert at Knott's Berry Farm, I might create chapters on only rollercoasters, or chapters on the various seasonal events at Knott's. I might create chapters based on live performances, or chapters on available food options. I might create chapters on the museums available throughout Knotts or just focus on Knott's Scary Farm.
Sometimes the student will be asked to read a couple of articles on a topic, like "avocados" for instance that will be overarching. These articles may discuss how to grow your own avocado tree, the care and lifespan of a tree, making guacamole, why the avocado is a fruit, and so on... and then the student will be asked to write an informational text on the cause and effect of growing your avocado pit in a glass bottle.
The most important thing about writing informational text is that you are passionate about what you are choosing to write about, and that your voice comes through on the page. You follow a logical sequence that introduces the topic, it's followed by several chapters on the topic, and that it concludes with your reasoning on why you chose to write about your particular topic.
Sometimes the student will be asked to read a couple of articles on a topic, like "avocados" for instance that will be overarching. These articles may discuss how to grow your own avocado tree, the care and lifespan of a tree, making guacamole, why the avocado is a fruit, and so on... and then the student will be asked to write an informational text on the cause and effect of growing your avocado pit in a glass bottle.
The most important thing about writing informational text is that you are passionate about what you are choosing to write about, and that your voice comes through on the page. You follow a logical sequence that introduces the topic, it's followed by several chapters on the topic, and that it concludes with your reasoning on why you chose to write about your particular topic.
Informational Writing Checklist
The Informational Writing Checklist (5th Grade) below can help the writer
make sure that he/she are writing an informational essay.
make sure that he/she are writing an informational essay.
Rubric for Writing Informational Text
Compare and Contrast Essay
The Brooklyn Flea and The Grand Bazaar in Turkey
The Brooklyn Flea and The Grand Bazaar in Turkey
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VENN DIAGRAM created in class from two pieces of text, "The Brooklyn Flea" and "A Grand Bazaar in Turkey"
THE COMPARE CONTRAST ESSAY IN 1 PARAGRAPH
Both the Brooklyn Flea Market and the Grand Bazaar in Turkey have similarities but I think they are much more different than they are similar. Both markets have many vendors where a variety of goods is sold. People, both natives and visitors, look forward to going because of the options of goods offered and the variety of food. The flea markets open up on the weekends in familiar open spaces, but the Grand Bazaar is open everyday in the same well known location. The iconic Grand Bazaar is a much more permanent, essential and cultural business as it was originally built by a sultan hundred's of years ago. It houses elaborate domed ceilings, two houses of worship, Turkish baths, fountains, and hundreds of restaurants. The Grand Bazaar has over 5000 vendors compared to the much smaller flea market of around 150. Haggling is a necessary piece of the shopping experience but one of the most significant differences is the high end jewelry exchange located in the center of the bazaar. Vendors at a local flea market probably aren't carrying thousands of dollars in valuable gems and materials.
Mr. Miller's Informational Text Example #1
I CONSIDERED MYSELF AN EXPERT IN RECREATING COLLEGE MASCOTS, AS I BELIEVE THIS STYLE OF ART WAS MY OWN TYPE OF CREATION. BEING AN EXPERT AT RECREATING THE MASCOTS, I THOUGHT OF THIS EXAMPLE AS A HOW TO FOR SOMEONE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS
The Autobiography
You have been tasked to write an autobiography, which means you will be writing about yourself. There are many ways you can accomplish this goal...
1) You can follow the traditional method of: "I was born on May 17, 2012... and determine your chapters maybe based on
typical milestones like playing volleyball for the first time, my brothers and sisters, etc.
2) You can do chapters on the people in your life, the athletics you play, the games you play, the best times, the worst
times, the things you love, your pets, etc. In this type of autobiography you are sharing with the reader those things
which help define who you are.
Whichever option you choose, we want you to be passionate and express that passion for what you are writing about. Make sure that you include an introduction page that will explain what your autobiography is about or its focus (Are you doing option 1 or 2) . Write your chapters (3-5 chapter topics). Conclude your autobiography. Be sure to proofread your essay for capitalization, end punctuation, and spelling. The rubric above is a good example of how this assignment will be graded.
1) You can follow the traditional method of: "I was born on May 17, 2012... and determine your chapters maybe based on
typical milestones like playing volleyball for the first time, my brothers and sisters, etc.
2) You can do chapters on the people in your life, the athletics you play, the games you play, the best times, the worst
times, the things you love, your pets, etc. In this type of autobiography you are sharing with the reader those things
which help define who you are.
Whichever option you choose, we want you to be passionate and express that passion for what you are writing about. Make sure that you include an introduction page that will explain what your autobiography is about or its focus (Are you doing option 1 or 2) . Write your chapters (3-5 chapter topics). Conclude your autobiography. Be sure to proofread your essay for capitalization, end punctuation, and spelling. The rubric above is a good example of how this assignment will be graded.