10 Steps for Writing an Informative Essay That Stands Out
Essays are generally classified by the purpose of the writing. That said, papers that solely seek to pass information to the reader are grouped under informative writing. What Is Informative Writing?
By definition, an informative essay is one that educates the reader on a particular topic or subject matter without any bias. Unlike in expository essays and argumentative essays, where the writer attempts to persuade the reader towards an opinion, in informative papers, the writer remains as neutral while providing comprehensive and factual details on the subject.
In 10 easy-to-follow steps, this article will guide you on how to write an essay using an informative essay outline
- Look up Some Examples of Informative Essays
If you are writing this kind of essays for the first time or you don’t know how to write an informative essay, then you could use some help. There are tons of informative essay examples on the website MyPaperWriter.com that can help when you practice.
- Choose an Interesting Title for your Informative Essay
If a title is not already provided for you, it is important that you chose a title that is concise and clearly states the information that will be conveyed by the essay.
- Research your Informative Essay Topic
Armed with a well-defined essay title, proceed with pre-writing research for your essay. Bear in mind that you are expected to write like an authority on the subject matter even if you are not. The more facts your garner during your research, the better your essay will be. Look out for standard definitions, pros, cons, types, instances and revenant statistics.
- Wet Your Reader’s Appetite with A Catchy Introduction
When you eventually sit down to draft your informative essay, your first paragraph(s) should be used to draw the reader into the body of the paper. Basically, tell the readers what you are going to tell them in the essay but in a way that makes them want to read further. One way to do this is by exposing a major area of ignorance around the subject matter with a rhetorical question, a shocking statistic or a short story. Don’t forget to craft a thesis statement that highlights the main points of the essay in the order they will appear.
- Use Short Paragraphs to Structure the Points in the Body of Your Informative Essay
We suggest you use short paragraphs for each point; one that introduces the point and others that contain supportive information. Short paragraphs are easier to understand especially if yours is a lengthy essay. Another helpful style is predictable writing.
- Be Predictable in Your Writing
Right from the outset, make sure the reader can anticipate your points. The sequence of points, the transition, and the length of each paragraph should guide the reader to the main points of the essay. When you follow a predictable pattern, the reader knows what to expect and where to find your points when skimming the essay.
- Embrace Lists and Bullets
Still, in an effort to aid understanding, it is good practice to use lists as much as you can in your informative essay. Initiate the list with a colon and separate items with commas, semi-colons or use a block format.
- As Much as Possible, Use a Formal Tone for Informative Essays
When you’re trying to sound neutral—as you should in an informative essay—it is best to use formal tone or at least, a semi-formal voice.
- Use Vocabulary that your Audience can relate to
It is important to understand your reader and choose suitable diction when writing your essay.
- Reiterate your thesis Statement with Your Summary
Your final paragraph should summarize the key points of your informative paper and reinforce the thesis statement. Since this is not persuasive writing, the call to action that is permissible is one that encourages the reader to seek more information on the subject or related subject.
In addition to this guideline, thoroughly edit your informative paper to ensure seamless flow and avoid typographical and grammatical errors. Properly cite your sources and avoid plagiarism.
