how to set up a informative essay

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How to Write an Informative Essay

Last Updated: February 14, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 244,924 times.

An informative essay educates the reader about a topic. You'll need to know a good deal about your subject and convey information in a clear, organized fashion. If it seems overwhelming at first, remember to take it step by step. Working methodically can help you write a successful paper, and you may even enjoy the process!

Selecting and Researching Your Topic

• Be sure you know how your teacher wants you to cite your sources so you can keep track of what you research. Some schools provide reference software like EndNote or RefWorks, which can make collecting and keeping track of research sources easier.
• Be aware of any formatting requirements. The essay prompt will often tell you things such as whether the essay needs to be handwritten or typed, and what font type and size to use. If it doesn't stipulate, the safe choice is a standard, readable 12-pt font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Avoid using "cute" or "quirky" fonts in an academic paper unless given specific permission to do so.
• Know the due date! Get started early so that you have plenty of time to complete the essay.

• The topic should not be too broad or too narrow. See Write an Essay for more information. There should be enough information about the topic to write about, but not so much that you can't present clear, concise information. For example, writing on "the history of animal shelters" is probably much too broad, while "the history of Sunny Days Animal Shelter in X County" is probably too narrow. A happy medium might be "the history of breed-specific animal shelters in America."
• The topic should be appropriate and interesting to your audience. Think in advance about who might be reading your essay. Obviously, if this is for school, your teacher is your primary audience, but you should always have a target audience in mind. What will they want to know? What do they probably not know already that your essay will provide?
• Ideally, the topic should be one that interests you. This will make the writing process that much easier, and you can pass your enthusiasm on to your reader.

• For best results, try to find online sources from reputable organizations, government agencies, and universities. Google Scholar can be a good place to start.

• For your informative essay, you will need an introduction, at least three main points, and a conclusion. You may want to make these sections and write notes down under the section where you expect it to go.

• Make an ideas map. Put your topic in a circle at the center of a piece of paper, then write down the most important pieces of information or ideas related to it in circles surrounding the topic. Make lines connecting each idea to the topic. Next, add details around each idea, circling them and making lines to show connections. There may be lines connecting ideas to each other, as well, or between supporting details.
• Make a list. If you prefer the linear format of a list, write down your topic at the top and then below it any ideas you have. Under the ideas, add extra details that support them. Don't worry about putting them in specific order - that comes next.
• Free write. Free writing can help you generate ideas, even if it usually doesn't provide polished prose you'll use in your final draft. Set a short time limit, such as 15 minutes, and then write whatever comes to mind about your topic. Don't stop to edit or change spelling, and keep writing even if you aren't sure you have anything to say. The important thing is to write for all 15 minutes.

Making an Outline

• Don't worry about getting your thesis just right at this point - that comes later. If you don't feel ready to write the thesis out, jot down some notes in the introductory part of your outline. At the very least, you need some idea of what you want to say in your essay.
• While it may seem odd to summarize your essay before you've begun, writing your thesis at the beginning of your outline will help you organize your ideas and select the most important details that you want to present.

• The number of details you use depends on the paper length: if you're writing a five-paragraph essay, then you have three paragraphs for the body, so you'll need three main ideas.
• Make sure you choose the most important details, and that they are all distinct from one another.
• Details used to support your thesis are also called "evidence."

• Make sure you have enough supporting details for each paragraph. If you don't have enough to say about the paragraph's main topic, consider changing the topic or combining it with another paragraph. Alternatively, you can research a bit more to find additional supporting details for the paragraph.

Writing Your Essay

• Do not worry about spelling errors or mistakes. Remember that this is just a rough draft, not your final copy. Just focus on writing it down, and later you can fix mistakes.
• Write your rough draft by hand or type it - whichever is easier for you.

• For example, a topic/transition sentence might look like this: "While some factories allow union labor, others, such as those in X, argue that unionizing harms the workplace." This sentence gives a clear direction for the paragraph (some factories argue against unionizing) and links it to the paragraph before it (which was probably about pro-union factories).
• Remember: each paragraph needs unity (a single central idea), clear relation to the thesis , coherence (logical relationship of ideas within the paragraph), and development (ideas are clearly explained and supported). [11] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

• Make sure you're clear about what the idea of each paragraph is. To keep yourself on track, refer to your outline as you write.

• Have you told the reader everything you need to about your topic?
• Do you have a clear thesis statement, expressed in two to three sentences?
• Do all your paragraphs relate to the thesis?
• Does each paragraph have one main idea, supported by accurate, objective details?
• Does your conclusion summarize your thoughts on the topic without adding new information or opinions?
• How does the paper flow? Are there clear, logical transitions between paragraphs?
• Have you used clear, concise prose and avoided flowery language?
• Did the reader learn something new from the essay? Is it presented in an interesting way?
• Have you cited sources as instructed by your teacher?

• As you write your final draft, keep track of coherence in particular. Rough drafts often have all of their ideas jumbled up without a clear, logical progression. A key difference between a rough draft and a final draft is that the final draft should offer its information in a smooth, clear, easy-to-read fashion that builds on previous points as it goes along. Keeping an eye out to make sure you've followed the C-E-E- formula will help you.

• Also keep an eye out for word echoes, or words that show up many times within the space of a few sentences or paragraphs. If you use the word discusses multiple times in the same paragraph, it will make your writing seem clunky and unpolished.

• Sometimes our eyes "fix" mistakes for us as we read, so it's hard to catch mistakes reading silently. Reading aloud helps you find mistakes your eye might not.

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• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/understanding-assignments/
• ↑ https://library.carleton.ca/guides/help/choosing-essay-topic
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_in_literature_detailed_discussion/conducting_research.html
• ↑ https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/notes-from-research/
• ↑ https://libguides.rio.edu/c.php?g=620382&p=4320145
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/brainstorming/
• ↑ https://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-compelling-hook-examples-for-essays.html
• ↑ https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-informative-essays.html
• ↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/paragraphs-and-topic-sentences.html
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/paragraphs/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/revising-drafts/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/

About This Article

To write an informative essay, start with an introduction that presents a thesis statement articulating your argument in 2-3 concise sentences. For the body of the essay, focus on one main idea per paragraph and start each paragraph with a topic sentence that establishes that main idea. Then, follow the topic sentence with cited evidence and explanatory detail. Finish up with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis. Don't forget to proofread carefully before turning in your essay! For helpful tips on researching and using good sources, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write an Informative Essay: Everything You Need to Know

Informative essays are often assigned in schools and universities. Here’s how to write them effectively:

• Choose the Topic and Length : Pick a relevant topic and decide how long your essay will be.
• Determine Your Audience : Identify who your readers are and understand their needs.
• Research : Collect accurate information from reliable sources.
• Choose the Main Points : Select the key points you want to cover.
• Write the Introduction : Introduce the topic and provide a clear thesis statement.
• Write the Body : Develop each main point in separate paragraphs.
• Write the Conclusion : Summarize the main points and restate the thesis in a new way.

After writing, make sure your essay is clear, balanced, and informative. Invest time in planning, thorough research, and effective organization. For more details on how to write an informative essay, our essay writer has got some expert tips up their sleeve! So, let's keep on reading this article.

What is an Informative Essay

Informative essays aim to educate the reader about a specific topic. They present facts, explanations, and insights in a clear and straightforward manner without trying to persuade or argue a particular point of view. The main goal is to increase the reader’s understanding of the subject by providing well-researched and organized information.

For example, an informative essay is often needed in an educational setting, such as when a student is assigned to explain the process of photosynthesis in a biology class. In this case, the student must consider the audience’s level of knowledge, ensuring the explanation is neither too basic nor too complex. The essay should include key details like the roles of sunlight, chlorophyll, and carbon dioxide, and it should be organized logically with clear transitions between points to help readers follow the explanation easily.

Ready to Ignite Minds with Your Informative Essay?

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How to Write an Informative Essay

Writing an informative essay involves several clear steps that help you present your topic effectively. By following these steps, you can ensure your essay is well-organized, thoroughly researched, and engaging for your readers. Here’s a detailed guide from our admission essay writing service on how to start an informative essay and help you continue the process.

Step 1. Choose a Topic

When writing an informative essay, you start by choosing a topic. This can set the tone for your entire essay, so it's important to pick something both interesting and relevant. Think about subjects that intrigue you or issues that are currently trending and have ample information available. The topic should be specific enough to be covered thoroughly in the length of your essay but broad enough to find plenty of sources.

Some informative writing topics include:

• How new technologies and practices shape how we eat.
• Discuss the benefits of kindness and how to spread it.
• How is VR changing various fields?
• Explain the importance of sleep for health and well-being.
• Discuss the history, science, and benefits of fermented foods and drinks.

Step 2. Research

Research will build a strong case for your topic. Jot down everything including facts, questions, even random ideas. When you find something interesting, note the source and look at its references. Try to go beyond textbooks - look for documentaries, news articles, interviews, or even blog posts by experts. You can also explore offline by visiting your local library and browsing relevant sections. 

Take notes in your own words, summarizing key points and paraphrases. This helps you understand better and write smoothly. As you read, think critically - consider the author's perspective, evidence, and potential bias to add analysis to your essay.

Track your sources for later, but don't get hung up on strict formats during initial research. Focus on gathering strong material. By approaching your research thoughtfully and actively, you'll create a solid foundation for your essay.

Step 3. Create an Informative Essay Outline

The purpose of an outline for an informative essay is to organize your thoughts and ensure your essay has a logical flow. By outlining, you can spot any gaps in your research and ensure all necessary points are covered. It’s best to create an outline after you’ve completed your research but before you start writing. This way, you have all the information you need and can arrange it in a coherent order.

• Introduction : Start your outline with an informative essay introduction. Here you’ll introduce the topic and provide your thesis statement, which outlines the main points you will cover.
• Body Paragraphs : Break down the body of your essay into several main points or sections. The topic of each body paragraph of an informative essay should be supported with facts and examples. Include sub-points or bullet points that highlight the key information you will discuss.
• Conclusion: End your outline with the informative essay conclusion. Summarize the main points and restate the thesis in a new way. Include any final thoughts or reflections that provide closure to your essay - this is key to knowing how to write a conclusion for an informative essay.

For example, if your essay topic is "The Impact of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life," your outline might look something like this:

Step 4. Start Writing an Informative Essay

Now that you have an outline and know how to start an essay , you’re ready to start writing your informative essay. This step involves turning your organized thoughts and detailed notes into a coherent and engaging piece of writing.

Your first sentence should grab the reader’s attention—consider starting with a surprising fact, a quote, or a brief anecdote related to your topic. After this hook, provide some background information to set the context for your essay. Finish your introduction with a clear thesis statement that outlines the main points you will cover.

Next, move on to the body paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your topic, as outlined earlier. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that states the main idea, followed by supporting sentences that include facts, examples, and explanations. 

After the body paragraphs, write your conclusion where you reinforce your main message. Throughout your writing, keep your language clear and concise. Avoid jargon unless you’re sure your audience will understand it, and explain any complex terms. Be sure to write in a neutral tone, focusing on informing rather than persuading. This will help ensure your essay is both informative and accessible to your readers.

Note : If you’re a computer science major, you’ll find our guide on IEEE format very helpful!

Step 5: Edit and Proofread

Once you have completed your informative essay, focus on proofreading for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Read your essay slowly and aloud to catch any mistakes that might have slipped through. Pay attention to how your sentences are constructed—make sure they are clear and contribute to the overall meaning of your essay.

Double-check the accuracy of any facts, statistics, or quotes you've included. Also check that each sentence and paragraph directly contribute to informing your reader about the topic without unnecessary distractions.

Lastly, consider sharing your essay with someone you trust, like a friend or teacher, for their input. You can also use our term paper writing services to make your essay even stronger. Remember, fresh eyes can often catch mistakes or suggest improvements. 

Informative Essay Examples

Essay examples show how theoretical ideas can be applied effectively and engagingly. So, let's check them out for good structure, organization, and presentation techniques.

Additionally, you can also explore essay writing apps that offer convenience and flexibility, allowing you to work on assignments wherever you are.

7 Tips for Writing an Informative Essay

Here are some helpful tips on how to write an informative essay that combines strong mechanics with engaging delivery and leaves your readers feeling more informed.

• Employ the Inverted Pyramid Structure: Start with the most important information first, gradually providing more details as you move through your essay. 
• Vary Your Verbs : Go beyond the simple "is" and "was." Strong action verbs add life and clarity to your writing.
• Credible Sources Only: Steer clear of Wikipedia and non-academic websites. Prioritize scholarly articles, reputable news outlets, and government publications.
• Vary Sentence Openings: Don't always start with the subject. Use introductory phrases, questions, or even quotes to grab the reader's attention and add variety.
• Balance Objectivity and Subjectivity : While presenting facts, maintain a neutral tone and avoid personal bias unless specified otherwise.
• Consider Your Audience : Tailor your language and examples to the knowledge level and interests of your intended readers.
• Stay Focused : Stick to the main topic and avoid going off on tangents that do not contribute to the central theme of your essay.

Final Remarks

Now that you have these tips, you're ready to write a strong informative essay. This guide has given you key ideas, like how to pick a good topic, how to plan your essay, and how to write each part. It also offered helpful advice to improve your writing overall. By using these tips, you'll have a successful and informative writing experience, allowing you to share interesting information about a topic you care about! And if you struggle with getting started on your writing assignments, you can always order essay from our experts.

Want to Unleash the Brilliance of Your Ideas?

Claim your expertly crafted informative essay today and command attention with your brilliant insights!

What are the 5 Parts of an Informative Essay?

How to write an informative article, what is an informative essay.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• Added FAQs, two essay samples
• Updated writing steps, tips and definitions
• How to Write an Informative Five Paragraph Essay | Terrebonne Parish Library System . (n.d.). https://mytpl.org/project/how-to-write-an-informative-five-paragraph-essay/  
• ‌ Purpose in Informative Writing . (n.d.). Content.byui.edu. https://content.byui.edu/file/b8b83119-9acc-4a7b-bc84-efacf9043998/1/Writing-1-5-2.html  

Mar 20, 2023

How to Write an Informative Essay | Outlines and Examples

Discover the Art of Informative Essays: Engage, Learn, and Be Inspired by These Compelling Examples – Read on to Elevate Your Writing Skills!

An informative essay is written to disseminate knowledge about a specific subject. These writings will typically address one of the five W's (who, what, where, when, and why) in a given topic. Naturally, they can also respond with "how," suggesting a method.

Opinions and attempts to persuade readers to adopt your point of view have no place in informative writing. Only argumentative writing is allowed to play that part. If your instructive essay is particularly engaging, it may inspire your readers to pursue further research on the topic; however, they will have to make that decision independently.

To get you started, we've provided some informative essay samples as well as resources to help you select a subject and craft your paper.

What Is an Informative Essay?

An informative essay is a type of academic writing that explains about a particular topic or subject. The primary goal of an informative essay is to provide information on a topic, idea, or concept in a clear, concise, and organized manner. The purpose of the essay is to increase the reader's knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.

An informative essay is different from other types of essays, such as persuasive or argumentative essays. While persuasive essays aim to convince the audience to take a particular viewpoint or to take action, informative essays are written solely to provide information. This means that the essay should be unbiased, objective, and free from personal opinions or biases.

When writing an informative essay, it is essential to choose a topic that is interesting and relevant to the audience. It is also essential to conduct thorough research on the topic and to use credible sources, such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. It is also essential to use a formal tone, clear language, and appropriate grammar and punctuation.

An informative essay is a type of academic writing that aims to provide information on a particular topic or subject in a clear, concise, and organized manner. The essay should be unbiased, objective, and free from personal opinions or biases.

The structure of an informative essay typically follows a basic format, including an introduction that provides background details and a distinct thesis statement, body paragraphs that outlines key arguments along with supporting proof, and a conclusion that offers a synopsis of the information presented. When writing an informative essay, it is essential to choose a topic that is interesting and relevant to the audience and to use credible sources and a formal tone.

How to Create an Informative Essay Outline?

Writing an informative essay outline is an essential step in the essay writing process. An outline provides a structure and a framework for the essay, allowing the writer to organize their thoughts and ideas before beginning to write. A good outline will help to ensure that the essay is clear, concise, and well-structured.

The outline for an informative essay typically includes the following sections: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each section has a specific purpose and should be structured in a particular way.

I. Introduction

The introduction of an informative essay should provide background information on the topic and introduce the thesis statement, which is the main idea of the essay. The introduction should also capture the reader's attention and motivate them to continue reading.

A. Hook: The hook is the opening sentence or two of the essay. It should be attention-grabbing and relevant to the topic.

B. Background information: The background information provides context for the topic and helps the reader understand why the topic is important.

C. Thesis statement: The thesis statement is the main idea of the essay. It should be clear, concise, and specific.

II. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an informative essay provide detailed information on the topic. Each paragraph should focus on a particular aspect of the topic and be organized in a logical and coherent manner.

A. Topic sentence: The topic sentence is the first sentence of each body paragraph. It should clearly state the main point of the paragraph.

B. Supporting details: The supporting details provide evidence and examples to support the topic sentence.

C. Transitions: Transitions help to connect the paragraphs and make the essay flow smoothly.

III. Conclusion

The conclusion of an informative essay summarizes the main points of the essay and restates the thesis statement in a new way. The conclusion should also leave a lasting impression on the reader.

A. Restate thesis statement: The thesis statement should be restated in a new way to remind the reader of the main idea of the essay.

B. Summarize main points: The main points of the essay should be summarized in a concise and clear manner.

C. Final thoughts: The conclusion should end with final thoughts that leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Crafting an outline for an informative essay is a crucial stage in the process of essay writing. The purpose of creating an outline for an informative essay is to establish the topics you aim to address and to structure ideas accordingly.

The outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, each with a specific purpose and structure. By following these guidelines, writers can create an informative essay that is clear, concise, and well-structured.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing an Informative Essay Format

Despite the fact that all essays have a similar structure, each type has its own distinctive features and peculiarities. It is a must to be aware of them in order to create a well-structured informative research paper outline. Structuring an informative essay outline can help you organize your thoughts and ideas and ensure that you cover all the necessary information.

Here are 7 steps to help you create a well-structured informative essay outline:

Choose a Topic

Select a topic that you are familiar with and that you find interesting. Ensure that the topic is suitable for an informative essay and that there is enough information available for you to research.

Conduct Research

Research your topic thoroughly using reputable sources such as academic journals, books, and websites. Gather information that will help you to support your arguments and make your essay more persuasive.

Create a Thesis Statement

Write a clear thesis statement that summarizes the main argument or purpose of your essay. Your thesis statement should be concise and focused, and it should provide a clear direction for your essay.

Create an Introduction

Begin your essay with an introduction that provides background information on your topic and introduces your thesis statement. Your introduction should be engaging and informative, and it should capture the reader's attention.

Create Body Paragraphs

The body of your essay should consist of several paragraphs, each of which should focus on a specific point or argument. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas, and support your arguments with evidence such as examples, statistics, and other forms of evidence.

Create a Conclusion

Conclude your essay with a summary of your main points and a restatement of your thesis statement. Your conclusion should provide closure to your essay and leave a lasting impression on your reader.

Proofread and Edit

Edit and proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure that your essay is well-structured, easy to read, and well-supported with evidence.

Overall, following these seven steps will help you create a well-structured informative essay outline that will guide you in writing an effective and persuasive essay.

Comprehensive Analysis of All of the Outline's Subsections

Outlines for informative papers typically consist of the same five or six parts as those for other kinds of essays. This type of writing task usually requires a specific structure. Begin with a one-paragraph opening, then move on to the body—which should be at least three paragraphs long—and end with a closing. It's likely that this will appear recognizable to you.

Let's read more carefully through the parts of the research report. See to it that you have painted a distinct image of the content that each paragraph will address.

Introduction:

In the introduction of your informative essay structure, you should define your subject in simple terms. Rather than relying on your own assumptions, check that you are using the actual definitions provided by reputable sources. The so-called "prehistory" of the subject can be included, as it often contains fascinating tidbits that aren't common knowledge.

To back up the thesis assertion made at the outset of the paper, you should provide arguments in the body of your work. It is suggested to devote each paragraph to a single subject idea, so the number of body paragraphs will be determined by the number of arguments.

Controversial Arguments: 

Before responding to an opponent's claims, make sure you've done your homework and collected all the information you'll need to present a well-reasoned response. There will be more than one way to look at the heart of any given subject. It is for this reason that you must exercise caution when gathering evidence and showing your opponent's arguments.

Each line needs to not only make a case but also provide proof to back up that case. Include the identities of the scientists and scholars who created the relevant references in your citation. Paint a vivid image of the subject at hand. That's why it's up to you to clarify everything that's crucial.

The Conclusion: 

Many students make the mistake of thinking that the conclusion section of a summary must be a direct reiteration of the thesis statement. In the final section, you should restate the processed data and direct the reader's attention to the most important parts of the study.

The most important guideline to follow is to explain in the conclusion how the reader can profit from the study findings.

2 Informative Essay Examples

The Key Causes Resulting in Water Pollution

Water pollution is a serious environmental issue that poses a significant threat to human health and the ecosystem. It occurs when harmful substances are introduced into water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater, making them unsuitable for human consumption and other uses.

The causes of water pollution are diverse, ranging from industrial and agricultural practices to household activities. This essay examines the key causes of water pollution and their impacts on the environment and human health.

Industrial activities:

Industrial activities are a significant cause of water pollution, especially in developed countries. Industries such as mining, manufacturing, and oil drilling often release harmful chemicals and waste into water bodies, contaminating them with toxic substances.

For instance, the discharge of untreated wastewater from factories and refineries leads to high levels of pollutants in water bodies. These pollutants can cause waterborne diseases, kill aquatic plants and animals, and render water unsafe for human consumption.

Agricultural practices:

Agricultural activities are another significant cause of water pollution. The use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides in farming has led to the contamination of water bodies. When these chemicals are washed away by rain or irrigation, they end up in rivers and lakes, causing water pollution. Excessive use of fertilizers, in particular, has been linked to the eutrophication of water bodies.

Eutrophication is a process in which excessive nutrients in water promote the growth of algae, which reduces the amount of oxygen available for other aquatic organisms, leading to the death of fish and other aquatic life.

Household activities:

Household activities are also responsible for water pollution. These activities include the disposal of household waste, cooking oils, and detergents into water bodies. Septic systems and faulty sewer lines also contribute to water pollution. When households dispose of their waste improperly, it ends up in water bodies, contaminating them with harmful substances.

Detergents contain phosphates, which can cause eutrophication when they enter water bodies. Moreover, septic systems and faulty sewer lines can cause water contamination when they leak or overflow.

Mining activities:

Mining activities, particularly those involving open-pit mines, can cause significant water pollution. Open-pit mines generate large amounts of waste, which is often dumped into nearby water bodies. This waste contains toxic substances such as heavy metals, which can contaminate water and cause severe health problems.

The use of chemicals such as cyanide and mercury in mining operations also contributes to water pollution. These chemicals are used to extract gold and other minerals from ores, but they can contaminate water bodies if not handled properly.

Oil spills:

Oil spills are one of the most devastating causes of water pollution. When oil spills occur, they can have catastrophic effects on the environment and the economy. Oil spills can result from accidents involving oil tankers, pipeline leaks, and offshore drilling.

The spilt oil can spread over large areas, contaminating water bodies and killing aquatic plants and animals. The toxic substances in the oil can also pose a significant health risk to humans who come into contact with them.

Impacts of water pollution:

Water pollution has severe impacts on the environment and human health. For instance, water pollution can lead to the death of fish and other aquatic organisms, reducing biodiversity. Water pollution can also make water unsafe for human consumption, leading to waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever.

Furthermore, water pollution can lead to the destruction of ecosystems, reducing the ability of natural systems to provide essential services such as water purification, flood control, and erosion prevention.

In conclusion, water pollution is a significant environmental problem that can have severe consequences for aquatic life and humans. The causes of water pollution are diverse and can come from industrial and agricultural practices, household activities, mining activities, and oil spills.

To prevent water pollution, it is crucial to implement measures that reduce the release of pollutants into water bodies, such as improved industrial processes, sustainable agriculture practices, proper disposal of household hazardous waste, responsible mining practices, and oil spill prevention measures.

By working together to address water pollution, we can protect our water resources and ensure a healthier future for ourselves and the environment.

The Importance of Education in the 21st Century

Education is a fundamental pillar of society, and it plays a crucial role in the development of individuals and nations. In the 21st century, education has become more critical than ever before, given the rapid pace of technological advancements and globalization. This essay discusses the importance of education in the 21st century and how it impacts individuals and society as a whole.

Globalisation and Technological Advancements:

The 21st century is marked by a new era of globalization, characterized by the integration of economies, cultures, and societies across the world. Technological advancements, such as the internet and social media, have made it easier for people to communicate and access information, breaking down traditional barriers and boundaries.

In this context, education is essential for individuals to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate this new world successfully. Education enables individuals to communicate, think critically, and adapt to changes in the environment, including technological advancements.

Employability:

In the 21st century, the job market is highly competitive, and employers demand a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. Education plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the demands of the job market.

Education enables individuals to acquire specialized knowledge and skills in their fields of interest, making them more competitive in the job market. Additionally, education fosters the development of soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are highly valued by employers.

Personal Development:

Education is not just about acquiring knowledge and skills; it is also about personal development. Education enables individuals to develop a sense of identity, values, and beliefs, shaping their character and worldview. Education also promotes personal growth by exposing individuals to new ideas, perspectives, and cultures, broadening their horizons and promoting tolerance and diversity.

Social Development:

Education is critical for social development, promoting social mobility and reducing inequalities. Education enables individuals from different backgrounds and social classes to access the same opportunities and pursue their dreams, irrespective of their socioeconomic status.

Education also promotes social cohesion and community building by fostering a sense of civic responsibility and promoting active participation in society.

Environmental Sustainability:

In the 21st century, environmental sustainability is a crucial global issue that requires urgent action. Education plays a crucial role in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability. Education enables individuals to understand the impact of human activities on the environment and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts.

Education also promotes a culture of environmental stewardship, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their actions and work towards a sustainable future.

Innovation and Creativity:

Innovation and creativity are critical drivers of economic growth and social progress in the 21st century. Education plays a crucial role in promoting innovation and creativity by fostering a culture of experimentation and risk-taking. Education enables individuals to develop critical thinking skills, think outside the box, and come up with creative solutions to complex problems.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, education is critical for the development of individuals and society in the 21st century. It enables individuals to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate a rapidly changing world, compete in the job market, and pursue personal and social goals. Education also promotes environmental sustainability, innovation, and creativity, promoting economic growth and social progress.

As such, investing in education is essential for building a better future for individuals and society as a whole.

In conclusion, writing an informative essay can be a rewarding experience, as it allows you to share your knowledge on a particular topic with others. By following the steps outlined in this article and utilizing the examples provided, you can create a well-structured and informative essay that will captivate your audience. Remember to thoroughly research your topic, organize your ideas, and use clear and concise language to convey your message. If you're looking for additional support in creating high-quality essays, sign up for jenni.ai ! Our AI-powered writing assistant can help you generate ideas, structure your essay, and even provide autocompletion suggestions to help you write faster. With jenni.ai, you can create engaging and informative essays with ease. Don't hesitate, click the button below to sign up for jenni.ai today and start writing your best essays yet!

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How to Write an Informative Essay: Definition, Structure, Steps & Examples

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An informative essay  is a piece of academic writing that provides clear and balanced information about a specific topic. Its main objective is to educate and inform the reader about a subject, rather than to persuade or argue a point of view.

In this article, we will talk about how to write an informative essay and structure it in an organized way. From introduction to conclusion, we will walk you through each step of informational essay format writing. Keep reading and you will find valuable tips from professional essay writing services and informative essay examples along the way. 

But before we dig deeper into details, let’s define what an informative essay is.

What Is an Informative Essay: Definition

An informative essay, as the name suggests, is a type of essay intended to enlighten the reader about a particular subject. The primary purpose of an informative essay is to present information in a clear, concise, and well-structured manner. In this type of writing, students shouldn’t express personal opinions or attempt to persuade their audience.

While informative essays and other academic writing styles may share some structural similarities (e.g., introduction, body, and conclusion), their goals and approaches are distinct. 

Unlike other popular forms of academic writing, such as argumentative or persuasive essays , informative essays focus solely on presenting factual information. They do not seek to persuade readers to adopt a particular viewpoint, nor do they provide an analysis, like analytical essays do. 

Many students also confuse it with an expository essay . However, unlike expository writing, informational essays do not explore a topic so extensively. Instead, they just offer relevant information. 

Informative essay writing deals largely with suggesting well-researched information to expand someone’s knowledge. Teachers assign it to test how well students can educate on a chosen matter without leaving personal biases or emotional appeals. In this sense, an informative essay is more of an educational than a persuasive tool.

Characteristics of Informative Essays

Informative essays have a few peculiar features that set them apart from other forms of writing. Here are the main ones:

• Objective approach to presenting facts
• Balanced coverage of information without redundant details
• Accurate, factual content
• Educational purpose of writing.

Now that you are familiar with the fundamentals, let’s look at how to structure an essay .

Informative Essay Structure 

To write informatively, you need to sort things out in a logical order. The structure of an informative essay is typical and comprises 5 paragraphs: an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Sometimes, you will need to compose more paragraphs if you feel that information you have provided is insufficient.

Let’s take a closer look at each part individually.

Informative Essay Introduction

An informative essay introduction paragraph is a perfect place to capture your reader's attention. It should include such components: 

• Background information
• Thesis statement.

Your opening will start with a compelling "hook" – a staggering statistic, an interesting anecdote, or a provocative question. This is followed by a brief transition to the topic, which provides some context. You may include essential facts, historical background, or why the theme is important. Remember to keep it concise and don’t overdo with details. 

Your introductory paragraph should end with a thesis statement. And we will talk about it right below. 

>> Read more: How to Write a Hook for an Essay

Informative Essay Thesis Statement 

Your thesis statement is arguably the most crucial sentence in your paper. It establishes your ruther direction by framing the main points you will cover. Thesis for an informative essay should be neutral and objective. Here, you should focus on presenting facts rather than asserting an opinion. A thesis statement is brief and usually takes no more than 1-2 sentences.

Informative Essay Body Part

The body part is where you delve into the details of your topic. Here are the things you should cover in each section:

• Topic sentence  
• Supporting details

Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence, which introduces the main point of that section. But this shouldn’t be a bold statement. Integrate supporting details, which may include facts, statistics, examples, or explanations that elaborate on the topic sentence. Use transition words for essay to build links between your sentences.

Every paragraph should stick to one main idea and shouldn't change the subject. Additionally, your body part should systematically address the key point mentioned in your thesis statement. For instance, if you are talking solely about the origin of art, you can’t suddenly change the direction and discuss its use in modern society.

>> Learn more: How to Write a Body Paragraph

Informative Essay Conclusion 

The conclusion of an informative essay serves to bring about the key points presented in your paper. This is the last paragraph and it should bring a sense of closure. Keep in mind this structure: 

• Rewritten thesis statement 
• Succinct summary
• Prediction or implication.

While an informative essay doesn't typically require a call-to-action, you might end with a thought-provoking question or a relevant implication for further consideration.

How to Write an Informative Essay Step-by-Step? 

At this point, you should be equipped with all necessary knowledge, and we finally can discuss how to write an informative essay. This guide will walk you through each phase of your essay writing process . 

In the steps below, you'll learn how to select a captivating topic, retrieve necessary information and weave those facts into your paper. From penning a powerful thesis statement to rounding it all off with a succinct conclusion, we will cover each essential stage. Without further ado, let’s see how to write an informational essay together!

1. Choose a Proper Topic 

Choosing a topic is a critical first step in writing an informative essay. 

Before you pick any title, ensure you understand your assignment and its requirements thoroughly. Only when all instructions are clear, start brainstorming all potential informative essay topics . Remember to include subjects that pique your interest, as writing about something you love can make the process enjoyable. 

Once you've got your list, it's time to narrow it down. Select topics that are relevant to your audience and have ample information available for research. Also, consider the scope – it shouldn't be too broad or too narrow. After all, you don’t want to end up writing about a subject that has limited information. 

After evaluating based on all criteria described above, select the idea that ticks all the boxes.

2. Conduct Research and Collect Information 

The integral part of academic essay writing is a thorough investigation. When you're ready to start gathering facts for your informative essay, the first thing to remember is to truly understand the concept. Look it up online and read a few general articles to get a handle on the subject.

When it comes to research sources, variety is your friend. Try to explore a mix of resources like books, academic articles, reliable websites, and documentaries. It is better to exclude sources that provide an opinion on the matter (for example, article review , book review or critical analysis ). Pay attention to the date of publishing and avoid outdated sources older than 5 years. 

While researching, be critical. Not all information you'll find, especially on the internet, is accurate or reliable. Check the author's credentials and the source's reputation. Always aim for information from authoritative and trustworthy sources.

3. Write Down Crucial Facts 

As you carry out your research, remember to take notes. There are 2 things you should keep in mind at this stage: 

• Important facts Write down key points, interesting facts, or quotes that you think will support your essay. Organize them based on the main points of your essay. This will make the writing process smoother.
• Source referencing details When it's time to reference sources in your informative essay, you'll need accurate information about where you found your data. It's much easier to do this as you go along, rather than trying to find it again later.

Now let’s figure out how to write a thesis statement for an informative essay.

4. Prepare a Thesis Statement 

Writing a thesis statement for an informative essay is like drawing a map for your reader. Usually, it’s a 1-2 sentences statement that highlights the major focus of your paper. This is your opportunity to tell your audience exactly what information you will be presenting. 

Avoid being vague or overly general. For instance, if your essay is about the impacts of climate change on agriculture, your thesis statement could be: 

Climate change has profound effects on agriculture, with potential consequences for food security globally.

As you can see, this statement is informative, but neutral. In this case, a college essay writer isn’t trying to take any particular stance on climate change. Instead, they are just saying that climate change affects agriculture. Let’s consider another example of a thesis statement for informative essay on the history of the Internet: 

The history of the Internet showcases a remarkable evolution, from its humble beginning as a military project to the widespread global network today.

5. Build an Outline 

By having a clear plan of action, you will be able to write an informative essay without taking unexpected turns. Much like a compass, an outline serves as a vital tool during the writing process helping students to stay on track. 

In most cases, instructions may not explicitly require the preparation of an outline. However, we still suggest that you create a basic plan listing the main ideas of each section. By having a layout, students can easily refer to it whenever they veer off topic. This ensures that your thoughts remain aligned with the central theme of your writing.

6. Write the First Draft 

Writing an informative essay is all about breaking down complex information into digestible chunks of information. There are 2 ways to go about creating an informative essay: 

• Start writing a polished version right after building a plan. 
• Compose a  rough draft  and revise it later.

You may think that skipping the draft will save you time, and opt for the first way. We highly recommend preparing a draft instead. This way, you'll see your thoughts on paper and be able to rearrange them if needed. Ultimately, it takes less time and allows you to craft a well-organized paper. 

Your draft shouldn’t be perfect. It's a starting point that you'll polish later. At this stage, just focus on transforming your ideas and research into a structured form. You can try essay typer free right now instead of doing the task yourself.

How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction?

Next, let’s explore how to start an informative essay in an engaging manner. Our professionals shared some valuable tips on composing a truly effective opening paragraph. 

Your task in the introduction for informative essay is to get your readers interested and present them with a preview of what's to come. 

To begin, create a hook. ​​This could be a striking fact or an intriguing question. Another nice option is adding a simile or metaphor. The purpose of the hook is to entice your readers right from the beginning. For instance, if you're writing about recycling, your hook could be something like this: 

Did you know that only 9% of the world's plastic waste has been recycled?

Your next move is to prepare your audience for the major point of your informative writing. This is where you need to contextualize your subject matter. You can briefly touch on its history, why it's relevant, or its implications. Using our recycling example, you might mention when the concept of recycling was introduced and its significance in environmental conservation. 

Finally,  finish your informative essay introduction paragraph with your thesis statement. Simply state what you will talk about in your piece. Using the recycling topic, your thesis might be: 

This essay will explore the different types of recycling processes, their effectiveness, and their impact on the environment.

Let’s see how to put all these guidelines into practice. 

Informative Essay Introduction Example

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, impacting many aspects of our lives. A key area where this change is apparent is education. In the past, classrooms were defined by physical boundaries and face-to-face interaction. Today, however, the landscape of education is increasingly blending with technology. In fact, it's estimated that about 95% of classrooms now have access to computers, a far cry from a few decades ago. In the context of this technological evolution, it's important to understand how the integration of technology is reshaping the way we teach and learn. In this essay, we will explore the various ways technology is changing the face of education, from the rise of online learning and digital literacy to the use of augmented reality in classrooms. We'll also discuss the challenges these changes present and how educators can navigate them to enhance education. 

>> Learn more: How to Start an Introduction for an Essay

How to Write an Informative Essay Body Paragraphs?

A body section is where you demonstrate all your research and provide your readers with the information you've promised in your thesis statement. Generally, you will need to come up with 3 distinct points and cover them in each body paragraph. You can extend your paper to more paragraphs if there is a lot to say about your subject. 

As a rule, the body paragraphs of an informative essay should include these parts: 

• The main aspect – your topic sentence
• Supporting details – your research and facts
• A closing line that wraps up your point or smoothly transitions to the next paragraph.

Always make sure your information is clear and your points are well organized. You want your reader to easily follow your line of thought. Use simple, straightforward language to explain complex ideas or concepts.

Informative Essay Body Paragraph Example  

One significant way technology has transformed education is through the advent of online learning platforms. These platforms have expanded the boundaries of education beyond the traditional classroom. Students from all over the world can now access courses offered by prestigious universities, right from the comfort of their homes. Websites like Coursera host thousands of courses across a wide range of subjects. This widespread availability of knowledge has democratized education to a great extent. No longer are learning opportunities restricted by geography or socio-economic status. Indeed, with a stable Internet connection and a willingness to learn, anyone can pursue a course in a field of their interest. This shift towards digital learning is one of the most profound changes brought about by the integration of technology in education.

How to Write a Conclusion for an Informative Essay?

We are approaching the finish line and it’s time to learn how to end an informative essay and make it memorable.

A useful approach is to round out your critical  points. But avoid simply repeating them. Aim to synthesize information, showing your reader how the pieces fit together to build a clear picture. 

Then, revisit your thesis statement. Has your essay successfully conveyed the information you intended? If so, rephrase your thesis statement in a way that shows its significance. 

Finally, close out your essay with a statement that leaves your reader with something to think about. It is a good idea to finish your informative essay with an implication, forecast or a final thought. 

Example of an Informative Essay Conclusion Paragraph  

It is clear that technology has impacted education, drastically transforming its landscape. From online learning platforms broadening access to education, to digital literacy becoming a vital skill in today's world, the intersection of technology and education is rich. This exploration of the topic has demonstrated how the classroom's physical boundaries have extended into the digital realm, opening up opportunities for learning beyond what was previously imaginable. The integration  of technology, as we've discussed, isn't without its challenges. However, the benefits it brings, like making education more accessible and fostering digital citizenship, are significant strides towards a future-ready society. The ongoing evolution of this relationship invites further study, promising many more enlightening revelations.

7. Revise and Edit 

When you're satisfied  with the organization and content of your essay, it's time to add the final touches. Essay revision is a crucial step in the writing process since it helps ensure that you've created an informative and accurate piece of work.

To make sure that your informational essay is error-free, read through the text several times and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Make sure you’ve applied the right style, and that citations are properly formatted. Also, check if your sources are credible and are correctly referenced in your paper.

Informative Essay Format 

It is time to say several words about the format of an informative essay. Most instructions will have this point among the rest, so do not overlook these requirements. When formatting your writing, you will deal with 2 essential aspects:

• Direct/indirect in-text citations inserted in the body text
• List of references, which appears at the end of the informative essay after the concluding paragraph.

The format of each citation varies depending on the paper style you are using. Most likely you will apply one of these popular formats:

• APA style format
• Chicago style .

Stick to the chosen format and use the corresponding manual for specific  guidelines.

Informative Essay Examples

One more thing that a student might lack after reading the article is a decent informative essay example. Fortunately, we have rendered some good sample informative essay examples that you may use as a template.

Informative Essay Writing Checklist 

As a writer, your role is much like that of a tour guide, leading your readers through the landscape of your chosen subject. Your ultimate goal is to ensure your audience finishes the tour more knowledgeable than when they started. Use this handy checklist and tips on how to write a good informative essay to compose your own piece.

• checkbox I gathered sufficient information about my subject from reliable sources.
• checkbox I brainstormed and organized my thoughts in an outline.
• checkbox My informative essay is written following the structure I've set up.
• checkbox The introductory paragraph contains background information and ends with a thesis statement.
• checkbox I did fact-checking to offer accurate details.
• checkbox My essay educates the audience and doesn’t try to persuade or support any viewpoint.
• checkbox I cited all sources and formatted quotations properly.

Bottom Line on How to Write an Informative Essay

Now that you have a full grasp of how to write an informative essay, all that's left to do is sit down and start creating your own paper. Remember to be unbiased and carefully plan each section. Above all, strive to enlighten your readers with valuable insights, helping them sharpen their knowledge.

Our professional team of experienced writers is here to assist you with your essays, ensuring high-quality and timely submissions. Take the stress out of essay writing and get straight As effort-free. Order essays online now for personalized assistance!

FAQ About Informative Essays

1. what is the main purpose in writing an informative essay.

The main purpose of writing an informative essay is to educate and provide information. Writer's task is to present facts, details, and explanations about a subject without convincing the audience.

2. How to start an informative essay?

To start an informative essay, you can begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that creates context and engages the reader's interest. You can use a relevant anecdote or a shocking fact to make your opening section intriguing. Then, introduce your topic and provide a brief thesis statement communicating your main focus.

3. How many paragraphs are there in an informative essay?

The number of paragraphs in an informative essay can vary depending on the essay length and its complexity. However, a typical informative essay includes 5 paragraphs. You can always adjust the number of sections based on how much you want to tell.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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Writing an Informative Essay

Informative essays engage readers with new, interesting, and often surprising facts and details about a subject. Informative essays are educational; readers expect to learn something new from them. In fact, much of the reading and writing done in college and the workplace is informative. From textbooks to reports to tutorials like this one, informative writing imparts important and useful information about a topic.

This tutorial refers to the sample informative outline and final essay written by fictional student Paige Turner.

Reasons to Write Informatively

Your purpose for writing and the audience for whom you are writing will impact the depth and breadth of information you provide, but all informative writing aims to present a subject without opinions or bias. Some common reasons to write informatively are to

• report findings that an audience would find interesting,
• present facts that an audience would find useful, and
• communicate information about a person, place, event, issue, or change that would improve an audience’s understanding.

Characteristics of Informative Essays

Informative essays present factual information and do not attempt to sway readers’ opinions about it. Other types of academic and workplace writing do try to influence readers’ opinions:

• Expository essays aim to expose a truth about an issue in order to influence how readers view the issue.
• Persuasive essays aim to influence readers’ opinions, so they will adopt a particular position or take a certain course of action.

Expository and persuasive essays make “arguments.” The only argument an informative essay makes is that something exists, did exist, is happening, or has happened, and the point of the essay is not to convince readers of this but to tell them about it.

• Informative essays seek to enlighten and educate readers, so they can make their own educated opinions and decisions about what to think and how to act.

Strategies for Writing Informatively

Informative essays provide useful information such as facts, examples, and evidence from research in order to help readers understand a topic or see it more clearly. While informative writing does not aim to appeal emotionally to readers in order to change their opinions or behaviors, informative writing should still be engaging to read. Factual information is not necessarily dry or boring. Sometimes facts can be more alarming than fiction!

Writers use various strategies to engage and educate readers. Some strategies include

• introducing the topic with an alarming fact or arresting image;
• asserting what is true or so about the subject in a clear thesis statement;
• organizing the paragraphs logically by grouping related information;
• unifying each paragraph with a topic sentence and controlling idea;
• developing cohesive paragraphs with transition sentences;
• using precise language and terminology appropriate for the topic, purpose, and audience; and
• concluding with a final idea or example that captures the essay’s purpose and leaves a lasting impression.

Five Steps for Getting Started

1. Brainstorm and choose a topic.

• Sample topic : The opioid epidemic in the United States.
• The opiod epidemic or even opiod addiction would would be considered too broad for a single essay, so the next steps aim to narrow this topic down.

2. Next, write a question about the topic that you would like to answer through research.

• Sample question : What major events caused the opioid crisis in the United States?
• This question aims to narrow the topic down to causes of the epidemic in the US.

3. Now go to the Purdue Global Library to find the answers to your research question.

As you begin reading and collecting sources, write down the themes that emerge as common answers. Later, in step four, use the most common answers (or the ones you are most interested in writing and discussing) to construct a thesis statement.

• Sample answers: aggressive marketing, loopholes in prescription drug provider programs, and economic downturn.

4. Next, provide purpose to your paper by creating a thesis statement.

The thesis attempts to frame your research question. The sample thesis below incorporates three of the more common answers for the research question from step two: What caused the opioid crisis in the United States?

• Thesis Statement : Aggressive marketing, loopholes in prescription drug provider programs, and economic downturn contributed to the current opioid crisis in the United States.
• Writing Tip : For additional help with thesis statements, please visit our Writing a Thesis Statement article. For help with writing in 3rd person, see our article on Formal Vs. Informal Writing .

5. Now follow each numbered step in the “Suggested Outline Format and Sample” below.

Sample answers have been provided for “I. Introduction” and “II. First Cause.” A complete sample outline can be seen here. A complete sample informative essay can be seen here.

Suggested Outline Format and Sample

I. INTRODUCTION

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the main topic: Sample topic sentence : There is a current prescription pain medication addiction and abuse epidemic possibly caused by an excessive over prescription of these medications.

B. Now provide a couple sentences with evidence to support the main topic: Sample sentence one with evidence to support the main topic : According to Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in testimony before the 115th Congress, “In 2016, over 11 million Americans misused prescription opioids … and 2.1 million had an opioid use disorder due to prescription opioids” (Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis, 2017, p. 2).

C. Sample sentence two with evidence to support the main topic : Volkow indicated “more than 300,000 Americans have died of an opioid overdose” since 2013 (Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis, 2017, p.2).

D. Sample sentence three with evidence to support the main topic : According to Perez-Pena (2017), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 25,000 people in the United States died in 2015 from overdosing on opioids Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone.

E. Toward the end of the introduction, include your thesis statement written in the 3rd-person point-of-view: Sample thesis statement : Potential solutions to the growing opioid epidemic may be illuminated by examining how opioid addiction is triggered through aggressive pharmaceutical marketing, how opioid addiction manifests among prescribed patients, and how economic downturns play a role in the increase of opioid addiction.

F. Write down the library sources you can use in this introductory paragraph to help support the main topic.

• Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis, 2017
• Perez-Pena, 2017
• Writing Tip : For more help writing an introduction, please refer to this article on introductions and conclusions .

II. FIRST CAUSE

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the first cause of the opioid epidemic: Sample topic sentence that introduces the first cause : One issue that helped contribute to the opioid epidemic is aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical manufacturers.

B. Now provide sentences with evidence to support the first cause: Sample sentence one with evidence that supports the first cause : Perez-Pena (2017) concluded that while the healthcare industry was attempting to effectively and efficiently treat patients with chronic pain, pharmaceutical companies were providing funding to prominent doctors, medical societies, and patient advocacy groups in order to win support for a particular drug’s adoption and usage.

C. Sample sentence two with evidence to support the first cause : In fact, pharmaceutical companies continue to spend millions on promotional activities and materials that deny or trivialize any risks of opioid use while at the same time overstating each drug’s benefit (Perez-Pina, 2017).

D. Next, add more information or provide concluding or transitional sentences that foreshadows the upcoming second cause: Sample concluding and transitional sentence that foreshadow the second cause : Although aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies played a large role in opioid addiction, patients are to blame too, as many take advantage of holes in the healthcare provider system in order to remedy their addiction.

E. Write down the library sources you can use in this body paragraph to help support the first cause:

• Writing Tip : For more assistance working with sources, please visit the Using Sources page here.

III. SECOND CAUSE

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the second cause.

B. Now provide sentences with evidence to support the second cause.

C. Next, add more information or provide concluding or transitional sentences that foreshadows the upcoming third cause.

D. Write down the library sources you can use in this body paragraph to help support the second cause:

• Writing Tip : Listen to Writing Powerful Sentences for information and features of effective writing.

IV. THIRD CAUSE

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the third cause.

B. Now provide sentences with evidence to support the third cause.

C. Next, add more information or provide a concluding sentence or two.

D. Write down the library sources you can use in this body paragraph to help support the third cause:

V. CONCLUSION: Summary of key points and evidence discussed.

• Writing Tip : For more help writing a conclusion, refer to this podcast on endings .
• Writing Tip : Have a question? Leave a comment below or Purdue Global students, click here to access the Purdue Global Writing Center tutoring platform and available staff.
• Writing Tip : Ready to have someone look at your paper? Purdue Global students, click here to submit your assignment for feedback through our video paper review service.

See a Sample Informative Essay Outline here .

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dang bro i got an A

Having faith with all this mentioned, that i will pass my english class at a college. Thank you for posting.

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Informative Essay — Purpose, Structure, and Examples

What is informative writing.

Informative writing educates the reader about a certain topic. An informative essay may explain new information, describe a process, or clarify a concept. The provided information is objective, meaning the writing focuses on presentation of fact and should not contain personal opinion or bias.

Informative writing includes description, process, cause and effect, comparison, and problems and possible solutions:

Describes a person, place, thing, or event using descriptive language that appeals to readers’ senses

Explains the process to do something or how something was created

Discusses the relationship between two things, determining how one ( cause ) leads to the other ( effect ); the effect needs to be based on fact and not an assumption

Identifies the similarities and differences between two things; does not indicate that one is better than the other

Details a problem and presents various possible solutions ; the writer does not suggest one solution is more effective than the others

Purpose of informative writing

The purpose of an informative essay depends upon the writer’s motivation, but may be to share new information, describe a process, clarify a concept, explain why or how, or detail a topic’s intricacies.

Informative essays may introduce readers to new information .

Summarizing a scientific/technological study

Outlining the various aspects of a religion

Providing information on a historical period

Describe a process or give step-by-step details of a procedure.

How to write an informational essay

How to construct an argument

How to apply for a job

Clarify a concept and offer details about complex ideas.

Explain why or how something works the way that it does.

Describe how the stock market impacts the economy

Illustrate why there are high and low tides

Detail how the heart functions

Offer information on the smaller aspects or intricacies of a larger topic.

Identify the importance of the individual bones in the body

Outlining the Dust Bowl in the context of the Great Depression

Explaining how bees impact the environment

How to write an informative essay

Regardless of the type of information, the informative essay structure typically consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Introduction

Background information

Explanation of evidence

Restated thesis

Review of main ideas

Closing statement

Informative essay introduction

When composing the introductory paragraph(s) of an informative paper, include a hook, introduce the topic, provide background information, and develop a good thesis statement.

If the hook or introduction creates interest in the first paragraph, it will draw the readers’ attention and make them more receptive to the essay writer's ideas. Some of the most common techniques to accomplish this include the following:

Emphasize the topic’s importance by explaining the current interest in the topic or by indicating that the subject is influential.

Use pertinent statistics to give the paper an air of authority.

A surprising statement can be shocking; sometimes it is disgusting; sometimes it is joyful; sometimes it is surprising because of who said it.

An interesting incident or anecdote can act as a teaser to lure the reader into the remainder of the essay. Be sure that the device is appropriate for the informative essay topic and focus on what is to follow.

Directly introduce the topic of the essay.

Provide the reader with the background information necessary to understand the topic. Don’t repeat this information in the body of the essay; it should help the reader understand what follows.

Identify the overall purpose of the essay with the thesis (purpose statement). Writers can also include their support directly in the thesis, which outlines the structure of the essay for the reader.

Informative essay body paragraphs

Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence, evidence, explanation of evidence, and a transition sentence.

A good topic sentence should identify what information the reader should expect in the paragraph and how it connects to the main purpose identified in the thesis.

Provide evidence that details the main point of the paragraph. This includes paraphrasing, summarizing, and directly quoting facts, statistics, and statements.

Explain how the evidence connects to the main purpose of the essay.

Place transitions at the end of each body paragraph, except the last. There is no need to transition from the last support to the conclusion. A transition should accomplish three goals:

Tell the reader where you were (current support)

Tell the reader where you are going (next support)

Relate the paper’s purpose

Informative essay conclusion

Incorporate a rephrased thesis, summary, and closing statement into the conclusion of an informative essay.

Rephrase the purpose of the essay. Do not just repeat the purpose statement from the thesis.

Summarize the main idea found in each body paragraph by rephrasing each topic sentence.

End with a clincher or closing statement that helps readers answer the question “so what?” What should the reader take away from the information provided in the essay? Why should they care about the topic?

Informative essay example

The following example illustrates a good informative essay format:

How to Write an Informative Essay | A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing an essay, regardless of the type or format, can be a daunting task. However, with the right approach and understanding of the essay format, you can make the process more manageable. In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to write an informative essay effectively. Whether you are a student working on an assignment or someone seeking to share information with others, this guide will equip you with the necessary tools to create a well-structured and informative piece of writing.

To begin with, selecting an appropriate topic is crucial for an informative essay. Consider your audience and purpose, and choose a topic that is both interesting and informative. Conduct thorough research to gather relevant information from credible sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Taking organized notes and keeping track of your sources will help you in the later stages of writing.

Next, create an outline that will serve as a roadmap for your essay. Start with an attention-grabbing introduction that provides background information and ends with a clear thesis statement. Divide the body of your essay into paragraphs, each addressing a specific aspect or supporting point. Support your arguments with evidence, examples, and analysis. Finally, summarize the main points in a concise conclusion that reinforces your thesis statement and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

By following these steps and paying attention to the details of essay writing, such as the essay format and structure, you can confidently write an informative essay that engages and educates your audience. Remember to utilize informative essay examples and informative essay topics as sources of inspiration and guidance. If you find yourself struggling, you can seek help from essay services that specialize in writing and editing. With a well-structured essay and a compelling thesis statement, you can effectively convey your message and provide valuable information to your readers.

Understanding the Essay Format In an Informative Essay

Before delving into the process of writing an essay, it is essential to understand the essay format. Whether you’re working on a research paper, an informative essay, or any other type of writing assignment, the essay format remains consistent. It consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction is crucial as it serves as the gateway to your essay, captivating the reader’s attention. It should include an essay topic, an engaging thesis statement, and an essay outline that highlights the main points to be discussed. Once you’ve hooked the reader, the body paragraphs come into play. They provide a detailed exploration of your thesis statement, supported by research and examples. To ensure coherence, it’s important to use an essay outline format that clearly organizes your ideas. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence, supporting evidence, and analysis. Finally, the conclusion wraps up your essay by summarizing the key points and reinforcing the main argument, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Writing an essay involves several steps that begin with selecting suitable research paper topics or informative essay topics. Once you have chosen a topic, it’s time to create an essay outline. This outline acts as a roadmap, guiding you through the writing process. A w ell-structured essay outline example will ensure that your essay flows smoothly. With your outline in place, you can start developing the content. Conduct thorough research using reputable sources, such as academic journals and books, to gather information and support your arguments. Take note of relevant details and organize your research material. This will serve as a solid foundation for your essay or research paper. As you start writing, pay attention to the essay format example and the introduction essay examples. Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that articulates the main argument of your essay. Remember, an informative essay introduction must be compelling and provide a glimpse of what’s to come. Follow your essay outline , dedicating each body paragraph to a specific supporting point or idea. The conclusion should summarize the key points discussed and leave the reader with a strong impression. If you need assistance, there are essay services available that can help you with writing, formatting, and structuring your essay or research paper.

Selecting an Informative Essay Topic

When it comes to writing an essay, particularly an informative one, understanding the essay format and structure is essential. Knowing how to write an essay effectively involves following a specific essay format that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The essay format serves as a guideline for organizing your thoughts and presenting information in a logical and coherent manner. Additionally, creating an essay outline can greatly assist in structuring your writing. A well-crafted outline provides a roadmap for your essay, helping you stay focused and ensuring that you cover all the necessary points. It helps you organize your ideas, decide on the order of your arguments, and create smooth transitions between paragraphs. By following the proper essay format and utilizing an outline, you can present your ideas clearly and concisely, making your essay more impactful.

Choosing a topic for an informative essay is a crucial step in the writing process. Research paper topics, personal experiences, and current events can all serve as excellent starting points. It’s important to select a topic that not only interests you but also provides valuable information to your readers. Once you have chosen a topic, conducting thorough research is essential. This research will help you gather relevant information and supporting evidence to back up your claims and make your essay more credible. Having a clear thesis statement is also crucial in an informative essay, as it sets the direction for your writing and guides your readers. Overall, selecting an informative essay topic , conducting comprehensive research, and developing a strong thesis statement are key elements in creating an engaging and informative essay that effectively communicates your message to your audience.

Conducting Research and Creating an Outline

Once you have chosen a topic for your essay, it is essential to follow a structured approach to ensure a well-written and informative piece. Start by conducting thorough research to gather relevant and reliable information from credible sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Utilize these sources to find supporting evidence, examples, and expert opinions that strengthen your arguments and lend credibility to your writing. As you delve into your research, take organized notes and keep track of your sources for proper referencing. This will help you create an essay outline that outlines the main points and subtopics you want to cover, ensuring a coherent and logical flow in your writing.

The essay format typically consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, provide an overview of your topic, engage the reader’s interest, and present a clear thesis statement that outlines your main argument. The body paragraphs should each focus on a specific point or idea related to your thesis statement. Support each point with evidence, examples, and analysis to strengthen your arguments . Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs to maintain the coherence of your essay. Finally, in the conclusion, summarize your main points, restate your thesis, and provide a closing thought or reflection on the topic.

Writing an essay can be a daunting task, but with proper research, organization, and adherence to the essay structure, you can produce a well-crafted and informative piece of writing. If you find yourself struggling, there are essay services available that can provide guidance and assistance throughout the writing process. Remember to proofread and edit your essay before submission to ensure clarity, coherence, and proper grammar and spelling.

Writing the Introduction

The introduction is a critical component of any essay, and understanding how to write an effective one is crucial. When writing an essay, it is important to follow a specific format and structure to ensure clarity and coherence. One common format is the research paper outline, which helps to organize your thoughts and ideas before you begin writing . By following an outline, you can ensure that your essay has a logical flow and covers all the necessary points.

To illustrate the essay format and structure, it can be helpful to refer to an essay example. Examining a well-written essay can provide insight into how to organize your own writing and present your ideas effectively. By analyzing the essay outline and structure, you can gain a better understanding of how to create a cohesive and well-structured essay .

There are different types of essays, each with its own unique characteristics and purposes. Some common types include informative essays, personal essays , and persuasive essays. Understanding the different essay types can help you choose the appropriate approach and style for your topic. It’s important to select a topic that is both interesting and manageable, and that aligns with the requirements of your assignment.

If you need assistance with your essay, there are various essay services available that can provide writing help, proofreading, and editing. These services can be particularly useful if you’re struggling with certain aspects of your essay or need guidance in refining your ideas. Hence, understanding the essay format, conducting proper research, creating an outline, and selecting an appropriate topic are crucial steps in the essay writing process. By following these steps and utilizing the available resources, you can enhance your essay writing skills and produce well-structured, engaging, and informative essays .

Developing Body Paragraphs

When writing an essay, it is crucial to follow a proper essay format and structure. The body paragraphs of your essay play a vital role in presenting your ideas and supporting your thesis statement. To effectively convey your message, start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea. This helps to maintain clarity and organization throughout your essay . As you delve into each paragraph, provide relevant evidence, such as statistics, research findings, or expert opinions, to support your claims. Including real-life examples and situations can make your content more relatable and understandable to the reader.

Furthermore, it is essential to consider different types of essays and their specific requirements. For instance, when writing an informative essay, your focus is on providing valuable information and insights on a particular topic. In this case, you need to choose informative essay topics that are engaging and relevant. Additionally, ensure that your essay has a clear introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and includes examples or personal essay examples to make it more relatable. Developing an informative essay outline can help you structure your content in a logical and coherent manner.

When conducting research for your essay, create a research paper outline to organize your findings and ideas. This outline format serves as a roadmap for your essay, guiding you on what information to include in each paragraph. It helps to maintain a s mooth flow of ideas and ensures that you cover all the necessary points. Additionally, properly citing and referencing all the sources used in your essay is essential to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism.

If you need assistance with your essay, GradeSmiths is available to provide comprehensive guidance and support. Our range of services includes essay writing, where our expert writers can help you craft a well-structured and engaging essay. We can also assist you in developing an outline that effectively organizes your ideas and arguments, ensuring a coherent flow throughout your paper. Additionally, our team can refine your thesis statement, helping you to articulate a clear and concise focus for your essay.

Formatting your essay correctly is essential, and GradeSmiths can ensure that your essay adheres to the required style, whether it be APA, MLA , or any other formatting guidelines. Our experienced editors will meticulously review your essay to guarantee proper formatting, citation, and referencing. If you are struggling to find suitable research paper topics, our knowledgeable team can provide suggestions that align with your subject area and interests. Furthermore, if you are pressed for time or simply need some extra assistance, our writers can even collaborate with you to write the essay from start to finish, ensuring a high-quality and well-crafted final product.

At GradeSmiths , we understand the challenges that students face when it comes to essay writing, and our goal is to alleviate your stress and help you achieve academic success. Our team of skilled professionals is dedicated to providing top-notch assistance tailored to your specific needs. So, if you require any support with your essay, don’t hesitate to reach out to GradeSmiths . We are here to help you every step of the way.

Structuring the Conclusion

When it comes to structuring the conclusion of your essay, it is essential to consider several key elements to ensure a comprehensive and impactful ending. The conclusion serves as the final opportunity to leave a strong impression on your reader and reinforce the main points discussed throughout your essay . Additionally, incorporating your provided keywords will further enhance the content. Let’s explore the key components to include:

• Summarize the Main Points: Begin your conclusion by summarizing the main arguments and ideas presented in your essay. This serves as a reminder to your reader of the key takeaways and provides a cohesive overview of the entire essay .
• Restate the Thesis Statement: While avoiding repetition, restate your thesis statement in a fresh and impactful manner. Use different words or sentence structure to reinforce the central theme or argument of your essay. This restatement helps to solidify your message and emphasize its importance.
• Avoid Introducing New Information: One crucial rule in conclusion writing is to refrain from introducing new information. The conclusion should primarily focus on reinforcing and synthesizing the existing content. Including new ideas can confuse or dilute the overall impact of your essay .
• Provide a Thought-Provoking Ending: Aim to conclude your essay with a thought-provoking statement or idea that resonates with your reader. This could be a reflection, a call to action, or a rhetorical question that encourages further exploration or consideration of the topic.

By skillfully structuring your conclusion with these elements, you can create a powerful and memorable ending for your essay. The summarized main points and restated thesis statement reinforce the core message, while the absence of new information ensures clarity and focus. Finally, ending with a thought-provoking statement leaves a lasting impression on your reader and prompts them to engage further with the subject matter.

Polishing Your Essay

When it comes to writing an essay , the process doesn’t end with completing the initial draft. It is crucial to invest time in polishing and refining your work to ensure its quality and effectiveness. One of the first steps in this process is to thoroughly proofread your essay, checking for any grammar or spelling errors. This careful review helps to ensure that your writing is clear, professional, and free from mistakes . Additionally, pay close attention to the coherence and flow of your essay by reading it aloud or seeking feedback from others. This step allows you to identify areas that may require further clarification or restructuring. Revise your sentence structure and word choice to enhance readability and engage your readers effectively. Simplify any complex or convoluted sentences to make your ideas more accessible. By devoting time to polish your essay , you can elevate its overall quality and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Citing Sources and References

Maintaining academic integrity is of utmost importance when writing an essay. To demonstrate the credibility of your work and acknowledge the contributions of other authors, it is essential to include proper citations and references for any external sources used . Familiarize yourself with the required citation style for your essay, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, and adhere to its guidelines meticulously. Throughout your essay, ensure that all in-text citations are accurately formatted and correspond to the entries in your bibliography or reference page. Consistency and accuracy are key in this process. Compile a comprehensive bibliography or reference list that encompasses all the sources cited in your essay. Double-check the accuracy of each entry, including authors’ names, publication dates, titles, and page numbers. By appropriately citing your sources and providing accurate references, you demonstrate your respect for intellectual property and contribute to the scholarly conversation. Following these guidelines for citing sources and references helps maintain the academic integrity of your essay and enhances its credibility.

Finalizing Your Essay

When it comes to finalizing your essay, there are several important steps to take to ensure that your work meets the necessary requirements and is ready for submission. It is crucial to pay attention to detail and make any necessary adjustments. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the finalization process:

• Formatting and Styling: Before submitting your essay, make sure to format it according to the given guidelines. Adjust the font style and size, margins, line spacing, and indentation as required. Consistency in formatting throughout your essay enhances its visual appeal and readability.
• Review Assignment Requirements: Double-check that you have met all the assignment requirements, including the word count and any specific instructions or prompts. Ensure that your essay aligns with the expectations set by your instructor or the assignment guidelines.
• Proofreading and Editing: Take the time to thoroughly proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Correct any typos, awkward phrasing, or unclear sentences. Ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and coherent. Reading your essay aloud or asking someone else to review it can help you identify areas that need improvement .
• Citations and References: Verify that you have properly cited all the sources used in your essay. Follow the required citation style, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, and ensure accuracy and consistency throughout your essay. Create a bibliography or reference page that lists all the sources cited in your essay.

Overall Coherence and Flow: Read your essay from start to finish to evaluate its overall coherence and logical flow. Ensure that each paragraph connects smoothly to the next and that your ideas progress in a logical and organized manner. Make necessary revisions to improve the clarity and cohesion of your essay.

Writing an informative essay is a process that requires careful planning, research, and organization. By following the step-by-step guide provided, you can confidently navigate the essay writing journey and produce high-quality work. It all starts with selecting a suitable topic that is interesting and relevant to your audience. Conduct thorough research and gather credible information to support your ideas.

Creating a solid outline helps you structure your essay and ensures that you cover all the necessary points. Focus on developing well-structured paragraphs that clearly present your ideas and provide supporting evidence. Throughout the writing process, be mindful of polishing your essay by proofreading it for errors and refining your writing style to enhance clarity and impact.

At GradeSmiths , we understand the challenges of writing an informative essay. That’s why we offer comprehensive essay services to provide guidance and support at every stage of the writing process. Our experienced writers can help you with essay formatting, proofreading, and refining your content to ensure a polished and impressive final product. Trust GradeSmiths to assist you in crafting compelling and informative essays that captivate readers and convey valuable information.

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How to write an informative essay

Published September 27, 2020. Updated June 5, 2022.

Informative essay definition

The primary purpose of an informative essay is to educate the reader without injecting the writer’s ideas and opinions.

Overview of an informative essay

The first step is to choose a topic for the informative essay. Pick a topic that interests you, as this will help you stay motivated. When writing an informative essay, explain a topic as objectively as possible, unless otherwise directed by a professor. An informative essay helps readers to understand the facts without adding bias. The next step is to research the topic for the informative essay. An informative essay is based on facts and not opinions; therefore, it is important to choose proper sources when researching the topic. The next step of the essay is to create an outline. The outline is important because it helps to keep the thoughts and ideas organized. An informative essay outline generally consists of an introduction, three or more body paragraphs, and a conclusion. After the draft is written, it should be read as many times as possible to search for grammar mistakes. The language should be more coherent and flowing. Enough evidence should be used and cite the sources correctly.

• You will usually be writing for your instructor and a general academic audience.
• Common examples of informative essays include “how-to” guides, definitions of subjects, and data analyses.
• These examples serve only to inform the reader about a specific subject .
• The style of informative writing is utilitarian and concise. Typically, the reader isn’t interested in opinions—they just want to learn about the topic.

Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.

How is an informative essay different from other essays?

When writing an informative essay, explain a topic as objectively as possible, unless otherwise directed by your professor. The clue is in the name—an informative essay delivers information and not much else.

• Journalism is informative in nature, as the facts are presumably presented without bias. The audience gets to decide for themselves what they think about these facts.
• Remember that true objectivity is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.

In contrast, an explanatory essay explores viewpoints surrounding an issue. Moreover, it may suggest why one opinion is superior to another. Because it serves only to educate, there is less emphasis on supporting arguments with evidence.

• There are also many similarities between an informative essay and an explanatory essay.
• Writers of both essays are trying to help the reader understand something new.
• The only real difference is that an informative essay helps readers understand a new set of facts, while an explanatory essay explains why certain opinions have resulted from those facts.

Why is an informative essay important?

Informative essays help readers understand the facts without adding bias. These types of essays teach students how to impart information without trying to influence people to think in one way or another.

Informative essays test your ability to

• write objectively
• conduct credible research

Planning your informative essay

Choose a topic.

The first step is to choose a topic for your informative essay. Pick a topic that interests you, as this will help you stay motivated.

• Choose a topic that appeals to a wider audience, especially if your instructor requires you to give an accompanying presentation with your essay.
• It’s easier to educate your audience if they’re learning about something they are interested in.
• Avoid essays about a very esoteric topic that few would know about; always avoid specific jargon that a general academic audience would not understand.

Finally, it’s a good idea to choose a topic that you already know about. If you have a solid understanding of a subject’s background, you will probably find it easier to research the topic and quickly find important facts. With that said, your instructor may choose your topic, or you may enjoy the challenge of writing about something totally new.

Conduct research

The next step is to research the topic for your informative essay. Because an informative essay is based on facts and not opinions, it’s important to choose proper sources when researching your topic. Keep the following in mind:

• Look for sources with well-established facts.
• Use primary sources when possible.
•  For example, if you are writing about a famous speech or text, use the original or “primary” document rather than a “secondary” commentary about the speech or otherwise altered source.
• Secondary sources can still be helpful if they are unbiased and academic in nature.
• The best sources for an informative essay help you clearly define your subject.

Research tips:

• Using a variety of sources will give you more credibility.
• Remember to check the reliability of each source you choose and make sure that “the facts” are widely accepted by subject matter experts.
• Take notes and bookmark sources that you want to use.
• Save all publication data for correct documentation in your Works Cited, Bibliography, or References section.
• Make sure you understand the format your instructor requires, usually MLA, APA, or Chicago style.
• Write down important quotes or statistics.

Create an outline

Next, create an outline. The outline is important because it helps you keep your thoughts and ideas organized. With a clear structure in place, you’ll find that the writing process is much easier once you begin the essay itself. Many instructors require this; some don’t. If it isn’t required and you don’t find outlines useful, skip this step.

If the outline is required, be sure to use the format you are writing the essay in. Refer to MLA or APA guides and model your outline after the examples you find in the guide’s index. Some require roman numerals; other styles require alphabetical notation.

You can outline in your own formal style if the assignment doesn’t require this step.

An informative essay outline generally consists of the following:

• introduction
• three or more body paragraphs

Writing your informative essay

Write the introduction.

Start with a sentence that grabs the reader’s attention. Your goal is to educate the reader, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get them interested in the subject they will learn about. Once you have the reader hooked, provide a generous amount of background information for the subject with a few sentences. Finish the introduction with a thesis statement.

Normally, a thesis statement would communicate an argument or point of view, but opinions do not belong in informative essays. Because of this, your thesis statement should essentially be a one-sentence clarification of the subject you’re focusing on. The thesis statement should also make the reader want to continue reading. During the introduction, you might want to touch on the where , who , why , what , how , and when of the topic.

Write the body paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an informative essay go into detail and explore important aspects of the subject you’re writing about. Each body paragraph should cover a different aspect of the topic, leaving readers with a more complete understanding of the subject.

• Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence introducing what you’ll be discussing.
• Once you’ve introduced the sub-topic, go into detail and support various facts with the evidence you discovered during your research.
• Try to use a variety of paraphrases, short direct quotes, and your own logical analysis.
• Be careful to avoid accidental plagiarism when paraphrasing or using quotes from outside sources.
• Any outside information must be cited correctly and/or attributed in your essay and reflected in the works cited or references at the end so your teacher can easily see where the information came from (and find it if they want to).

Remember, you can’t just throw your evidence out there and expect your reader to connect the dots on their own. Explain how this evidence relates to the subject and why it’s important.

To conclude each of your body paragraphs, write a single sentence summarizing what you’ve just discussed and how it relates to the main topic. If you can, try to transition into the next body paragraph in a smooth, flowing manner.

Write the conclusion

Once you’ve finished your body paragraphs, it’s time to wrap your informative essay up with a strong conclusion. Start your conclusion by restating your thesis. Remind the reader about the topic, but use different language compared to the thesis in your introduction.

Next, mention why the information you’ve just delivered is relevant.

• How can the reader use this information in the future?
• What is its impact?
• Why is this information valuable for the average person?
• Can you think of examples of how they might make use of this information in the future?

Finish your conclusion (and your entire essay) with a sentence that leaves a strong impact on the reader.

Hammer home the importance of the subject you’ve just explored in a new way that you haven’t already used in your essay.

A tried-and-true method is to use a powerful quote related to your subject—something that sums up what your subject truly means.

You might even end with an open-ended question that leaves the reader with larger ideas to connect.

Editing your informative essay

After you’ve finished the draft, read it over as many times as you can in order to search for grammar mistakes.

Try to make the language more coherent and flowing. Ensure that you’re using evidence and citing your sources in the correct manner.

Once you’re sure that you’ve found even the smallest errors, find a classmate or peer willing to read over your essay and give you advice. In return, you can also edit their essay.

• Some teachers are happy to review your draft and offer suggestions before you turn in the final draft.
• If you are a college student, check to see if there is a writing lab you can visit for some suggestions on improvement.

Example informative essay

Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.

Additional tips for writing an informative essay

• Be careful to leave out bias: write as objectively as possible.
• Use a variety of credible sources.
• Transition between ideas and paragraphs to help the essay flow.
• Avoid redundancy, wordiness, and unnecessary repetition.
• Stay on topic: avoid going on long tangents.
• Use the correct academic reference/citation style based on your instructor and discipline.
• Be aware of your audience and write accordingly.

By Andrew Block. Andrew received his BA in English from the University of South Carolina and his MA from the University of New Mexico. After more than a decade as a faculty member in a community college, he has worked in client success for an educational technology company since 2018.

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Step-By-Step Guide to Writing an Informative Essay

Informative essays are aimed to educate the audience about a certain topic. You should have the necessary knowledge about your subject and be able to convey information in an organized and understandable way. If you have enough practice, writing a successful paper won’t be a problem for you. Just follow this step-by-step guide at college-writers.com blog.

Researching the topic

1. understand your assignment.

The first thing you should do is check the requirements and your prompt. Depending on the given requirements, you can understand how much information you need to collect, and how to present it properly. If you have any questions, we recommend that you talk to your teacher. Make sure that you know the required citation format. Sometimes, teachers may also recommend reference software, such as RefWorks or EndNote which make it easier to keep track of your sources.

Strictly follow all the formatting requirements. Use the recommended font, and if there are no specific guidelines, go with a standard font like Arial or Times New Roman, 12 pt. Avoid “funny” or unusual fonts.

Start working on your essay as soon as you can to complete it before the deadline.

2. Select a topic

If you haven’t got the topic assigned by a teacher, you need to choose one yourself. Choosing a topic may be not an easy task, however, you can quickly narrow down the range of options available. For example, your topic shouldn’t be too broad or too specific. You should be able to find enough information about your subject, however, you should also be able to cover this topic in the essay.

Think of your audience and choose a topic that will be interesting for your readers. What background does your audience have? What they may want to learn? Obviously, the topic should be also interesting for you so that you can get really involved in the writing process and create a nice paper.

3. Conduct research

Good research is crucial for an informative essay. Make sure to only use reliable, proven sources, such as academic journals, scholarly databases, and encyclopedias. Avoid citing Wikipedia and other online sources that may have unreliable content. Check websites of government organizations and universities. A great way to search for sources is using Google Scholar.

4. Take notes

While researching your topic, jot down the key facts and ideas that look useful for your essay. Grab a sheet of paper or type your notes on a laptop. The main point is to remember information that can serve as a basis for your essay. Keep in mind that your essay should have an introduction, a body with at least three key points, and a conclusion.

5. Mind your sources

Write down all the crucial information about your sources, such as the author, title, publisher, and other details so that you can cite your sources properly.

6. Brainstorm your ideas

Once you’ve got enough information, start brainstorming the main ideas. You may create a mind map with the main subject in the center of the map, and subtopics connected to it logically. Another way to brainstorm effectively is to write a list of ideas, starting with your topic, and following it with any ideas that come to your mind. Don’t try to sort them by priority, just come up with as many ideas as you can.

Another approach is freewriting. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and generate ideas. Once again, you don’t need to evaluate your ideas or care about grammar at this stage. Just keep writing until the time is up.

Writing an Outline

1. plan your introduction and hook.

The introduction should present your thesis statement, which is usually 2-3 sentences long. The thesis statement is the central argument of your essay.

Don’t worry about creating a perfect thesis statement when you just start to write the essay, Many people choose to write it when the whole essay is ready, so just jot down the main points so that you can understand the main idea of your essay. At this stage, the thesis statement should just help you build the outline.

2. Use one strong piece of evidence per body paragraph

The body of your essay is its main part. Choose the main points from your research and determine the number of details you’re going to provide. For example, if you have to write a five-paragraph essay, you need three body paragraphs, with one point for each paragraph. Make sure that everything you’re going to write about is really important in the context of your subject.

3. Add supporting details

Once you’ve determined the major points, add specific details that will support your idea and help your readers understand it. You may use such details as quotes, examples, etc. Make sure that you have enough details for each body paragraph. If this task seems difficult, we suggest that you choose another topic or do additional research.

4. Restate your thesis statement

The conclusion of your essay should restate your thesis statement and summarize the whole paper. You may also present your ideas in a new light.

Writing the Essay

1. write your first draft.

Start writing your first draft, using the outline as a guide. Since it’s the first draft, just focus on conveying your ideas in a logical manner, without fixing spelling or punctuation mistakes.

2. Write a topic sentence for each paragraph

The topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph which describes its main idea. It may also serve as a transition between two paragraphs. It should set a clear direction for the paragraph. In addition, make sure that all of your paragraphs are directly related to the central idea of the essay and contain evidence that supports your claims.

3. Structure your essay

As we’ve already mentioned above, your essay should include the introduction, body, and conclusion. Every body paragraph should contain your claim, evidence that supports it, and explanation. Check your outline to be consistent while writing.

Edit your draft, answering the following questions:

• Do you have a clear thesis statement?
• Are the body paragraphs directly related to your thesis?
• Can your readers learn something new from your essay?
• Is your essay interesting and easy to read?
• Does every paragraph have the right structure?
• Is your language clear and easy to read?
• Did you cite the sources properly?

5. Write the final draft

Write your final draft, making it coherent and logically correct. The final draft should not only provide information but also do it in a smooth, engaging, and easy-to-understand way. In addition, make sure that all of your paragraphs have the right structure.

6. Check your language

Once you’ve checked the logical structure, make sure that you don’t have any sentences that sound awkward. Get rid of word echoes and repetitive phrases.

7. Proofread

Proofread your essay, fixing any grammar mistakes, misspelled words, or wrong punctuation. If you have any problems with proofreading, just order professional proofreading on College-Writers.com. Reading your essay out loud may also help you make your essay better

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There is no college and high school student who would not be assigned to write an informative essay. While many think that writing this type of academic work is an easy task, in reality, it takes long hours of composing and editing to achieve an excellent result. That is why we have created this useful guide on how to write an informative essay for students who strive to get the best grades. In this article, we will dive deeply into the informative essay writing process so you can make your educational life so much easier!

What is an Informative Essay?

If you wonder: “What is an informative essay?”, here is the explanation. An informative essay is a piece of academic writing that informs the audience about a certain topic or phenomenon. In this type of essay, a student has to reveal the theme with little detail and particularities. The main difference that distinguishes an informative essay from other essays is the importance of building it only on cold facts. Here you have to provide listeners with statistics, graphics, and evidence so the information sounds strongly supported.

An informative essay should be based exceptionally on reliable and trustworthy sources. A student is not allowed to write any personal experience or personal thoughts. Thus, before getting started with writing an informative essay, it is recommended to conduct thorough research on the topic. All the definitions and terms should be explained and the content is supported with facts. Also, to bring more clarity to the topic you are discussing, including real examples and explain specific situations.

The Main Purpose of Informational Essay

As the name implies, the main purpose of an informative type of essay is to inform the reader about a certain subject. Suppose, readers know nothing about the theme of the discussion. So the goal will be achieved when the audience after reading your essay has a clear understanding of the topic.

Besides informing, an informative essay can also compare things, guide, and navigate readers. Its neutral manner should give a feeling that there is no personal point of view and that the information is trustworthy.

How to Plan an Informative Essay Writing

In order to achieve a first-class result in writing informative essays, you should spend a lot of time planning them. Since its structure should be coherent and logical, without preparation you won’t be able to come up with a clear understanding of how to write it. So in this section, you can find the main planning steps that will cover your question: “How to start an informative essay?”

Choose Your Essay Topic

The topic of an informative essay plays a crucial role. Depending on the theme you choose, it can be easier or more difficult for you to perform the paper-writing process. So start with the topics that are in the circle of your interest. Brainstorm the ideas that come to your mind. Then narrow down the choice by researching the topics. And also, pay attention to the sources: if there are enough credible sources, it will be way easier to compose a high-quality essay.

Informative Essay Topic Examples for College

Here are the topic ideas you might like.

• The world economy: how can one country influence the economy of another one?
• The history of veganism.
• What does a modern business look like?
• The importance of achieving a higher education for today’s world.
• How to set up a company?
• Impact of Covid-19 on divorce rates.
• Cryptocurrency business: pros and cons.
• Most popular social media platforms to promote your product overview.
• How were the pyramids built?
• How do sellers trigger customers to buy?
• Will artificial intelligence replace humanity?
• Big Ban Theory definition.
• Is there life on other planets?
• Do all illnesses come from psychosomatic factors?
• Is obesity treated badly in society?

How Long Should Your Informative Essay Be

The length of the essay should be measured by the completeness of the disclosure of the topic. Usually, it takes four or five paragraphs for a standard essay. Unless you are provided special instructions on how long the essay should be, you can add more information to your essay body.

Create an Informative Essay Outline

An informative essay structure includes the following parts:

• An introduction for an informative essay is the place to introduce the topic to the audience. Here you write your thesis statement and provide a background on the theme.
• Body paragraphs. This is the main part of your essay that covers all the information, explanation, facts, and other details that completely reveal the topic.
• In the final part, you should sum up the given information and refer to your thesis statement.

Conduct an Informational Research

Before you ask yourself a question: “How to write an informative essay introduction”, you should conduct research on the information you are to present to the readers. At that stage, you have to gather information from credible sources. Choose the ones that are books, scholarly, scientific articles, or books.

How to Start an Informative Essay?

If you are looking for ways to start an informative essay, you have come to the right place. The beginning is always the hardest part of writing informative essay. To put it simply, make sure to include in your introduction part the following components.

Informative Essay Hook

If you want to keep your audience engaged and interested from the start, you have to hook them right at the beginning. To do that, you can use some unbelievable facts or mind-blowing statistics so the readers want to go further. However, it should not be way overwhelming or supernatural. The hook should be real and fascinating.

Strong Thesis Statement

The main focus of the introduction paragraph for an informative essay should be placed on providing a solid thesis statement. Your thesis is the central idea of the paper, so it should be fundamental and concise. Put it right after the hook or at the end of the introduction part. Your thesis statement should also explain why your topic is important and relevant to modern discoveries.

Add Connecting Sentences

By building a smooth transition, you can increase the readability of your essay. Usually, connecting sentences are those that broaden your thesis statement. They are used with what, whom, and why questions that can broaden the topic and tune readers to further informational journeys.

Informative Essay Body Paragraph

The main part of every informative essay is its body. This is where you as a writer should show all your knowledge of how you write informatively and cover every little detail. Typically, the body paragraphs are three paragraphs. Each should contain only one argument and an explanation for it. However, the informative essay format allows writers to add more paragraphs unless teachers don’t set limits for the essay structure.

When composing the main part of your informative essay, follow our approach on how to create every paragraph so it contains all the necessary information.

Every body paragraph should have a claim – a sentence that opens the paragraph and gives the fundamental idea of what it will be written about. So you might wonder: “How to write a good informative essay statement?” First of all, it should be deep and broad. It should represent one fact or point of view that you will go further with. However, don’t try to make it sound very complicated. The main goal is that everything was clear for your readers.

A Supporting Evidence

Suppose you provided a strong statement at the beginning of one of your body paragraphs. But why should readers listen to that? And here comes supporting evidence. You can use statistics from surveys, quotes, facts, discoveries, graphics, or any other type of evidence that will backup your claim. At this stage, it is important to refer only to credible sources and reliable authors.

Explanation

You did good work and added a lot of data into your body paragraph but what should readers do with this information? In order to process it, you have to explain it to them. Link your evidence with your claim and write why it is essential for your topic.

Ending Sentence

Every body paragraph should have a concluding sentence that would sum up the information. It will also serve as a transition for the next part of your informative essay.

Informative Essay Conclusion

A task: “How to make an informative essay conclusion?” is not quite easy to perform. In this part, there is no problem you have to solve or argument you have to support. That is why many students wonder how to write an informative essay conclusion. Go on and you will find what makes a good informative essay conclusion.

Referring to a Personal Statement

It is obvious that a thesis statement should not only be mentioned at the beginning of the essay. It should have a logical explanation in the final part. So in your conclusion make sure to restate your personal statement. Surely, you don’t have to copy and paste it but rephrase it.

Commenting on the Body Paragraphs

In your informative essay conclusion, you should also cover the body paragraphs. Mention the most essential points or ideas but don’t get into detail.

Making Readers Think

Even though an informative essay is more about providing the audience with information, it should also induce readers to think. Leave a clincher at the end of your paper that can be a provoking statement, a question, or an idea to dig in. It will also increase your chances to stand out from other essays.

Emphasizing the Importance

If you don’t highlight why it is important to read your informative essay, readers will perceive it as a piece of information. But when you point out that your work has great value in it, the audience will be more attentive.

Advanced Tips for Writing Informative Essays

If you still wonder how to begin an informative essay or how long an informative essay is, this section will be helpful for you. We have gathered the latest recommendations that will make your informative essay writing process go smoother and easier. Find our list of tips below.

• Prepare before writing. A typical mistake most students make is getting immediately into writing: looking for informative essay starters, writing the introduction, and doing everything in a chaotic way. First, you have to do research on your topic. Dedicate time to learning and reading the examples.
• Do not over-explain. Even though informative essays should provide the information in a clear way, you don’t have to repeat the explanation several times. One comprehensive answer will be enough to cover one idea.
• Always create a structure. Divide information for the introduction, informative essay body paragraph, and conclusion. Learn what every part of the essay should cover so you can plan ahead your steps.
• Stick to the requirements. Surely, there is a traditional way to write an informative essay. But it is more important to follow the requirements of your educational institution. Always contact your teacher in case you have any doubts so any kind of misconception could not ruin your final result.
• Don’t spare time for proofreading and editing. Thus, you can avoid many mistakes and take a fresh look at your final draft.

Need Help with Informative Essay Writing?

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How many paragraphs are in an informative essay?

A typical informative essay contains five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. If you have more ideas to add to your paper, you can always make your body longer by adding more paragraphs to it.

What is an informative essay structure?

An informative essay structure is a roadmap that draws the main elements of this piece of writing. It is essential to plan ahead the structure of your essay as it will help you to keep the information organized.

How to write an introduction for an informative essay?

Follow these steps to writing an informative essay introduction: come up with a hook to make your audience interested in your writing; then create a strong personal statement, and don’t forget about adding connecting sentences.

How do you write an informative essay?

First, answer a question: “How to plan an informative essay?” since every writing process should start with planning and researching. Then divide this activity into small steps, create the outline, and organize the information.

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Essay Papers Writing Online

Write an engaging and comprehensive guide on how to write an informative essay to captivate and inform your readers.

Are you keen to learn how to fashion an enlightening composition that captivates your readers’ attention from the very first sentence? An informative essay not only educates the audience but also sparks their curiosity, leaving them yearning for more knowledge on the topic at hand. The process of composing such a piece may seem daunting at first, but fear not! This comprehensive guide will handhold you through the steps of creating a masterpiece that is both informative and engaging.

To begin with, a powerful introduction is vital to lure the readers into your article. In this initial paragraph, you have the opportunity to pique their interest by presenting a thought-provoking fact or an intriguing anecdote related to your subject matter. Aim to establish a connection with your readers right from the start, making them eager to delve deeper into the educational journey you are about to take them on.

Once you have successfully grabbed their attention, it is crucial to provide a clear thesis statement that outlines the main objective of your essay. This statement acts as a roadmap for the rest of your writing, giving readers a sense of direction and a preview of the knowledge they can expect to gain. An effective thesis should be concise, specific, and impactful.

What is an Informative Essay?

An informative essay is a type of academic writing that aims to provide readers with valuable knowledge and insights on a specific topic. It is a genre of essay writing where the primary goal is to educate and inform the audience about a particular subject in a clear and concise manner.

In an informative essay, the writer presents factual information, evidence, examples, and analysis to explain the topic and present it in an engaging and informative way. The purpose is to enhance the reader’s understanding and promote learning.

An informative essay is not meant to persuade or convince the reader of a particular point of view. Instead, it focuses on providing objective information and giving the reader a well-rounded understanding of the topic. The writer strives to present information in a neutral and unbiased manner, allowing readers to form their own opinions based on the facts presented.

Informative essays can cover a wide range of subjects, from science and technology to history, literature, and current events. They can also be written for different audiences, such as academic or general readers. The key is to effectively research and organize the information in a logical and coherent manner, ensuring that the essay remains informative and easy to understand.

In conclusion, an informative essay is a type of writing that aims to educate and inform the audience about a specific topic. It provides factual information and analysis without trying to persuade the reader. By presenting objective information in an engaging and well-organized manner, the writer can effectively convey knowledge and promote understanding.

Understanding the Purpose and Structure

Before diving into the specifics of how to write an informative essay, it is important to understand the purpose and structure of this type of writing. By grasping these key concepts, you will be better equipped to effectively communicate information to your readers.

The purpose of an informative essay is to educate and inform the audience about a particular topic. While other types of essays may focus on persuading or entertaining the reader, the informative essay is primarily concerned with providing facts, explanations, and analysis in an objective manner.

To accomplish this, the structure of an informative essay typically follows a logical progression. The essay should begin with an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and provides a clear thesis statement that states the purpose of the essay.

Next, the body paragraphs should present information in a coherent and organized manner. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or subtopic related to the main thesis. Use facts, statistics, examples, and expert opinions to support your points and provide evidence for your claims.

In addition to presenting information, it is important to analyze and interpret the facts to give the audience a deeper understanding of the topic. This can involve discussing the significance, implications, or cause-and-effect relationships related to the information presented.

Finally, the essay should conclude with a strong and memorable conclusion that summarizes the main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This is your last chance to reinforce the key information and leave the reader with a clear understanding of the topic.

By understanding the purpose and structure of an informative essay, you can approach the writing process with clarity and confidence. Remember to always consider your audience and their level of knowledge on the topic, and strive to present information in a clear, concise, and engaging manner.

Selecting a Topic

When embarking on the task of writing an informative essay, one of the most crucial steps is selecting a topic that is both interesting and relevant. The topic you choose will determine the direction and focus of your essay, as well as its overall effectiveness in conveying information to the reader. It is important to choose a topic that not only engages your own curiosity but also appeals to a wide audience.

Before settling on a topic, consider your own interests and areas of expertise. Think about the subjects that you find fascinating or have a deep understanding of, as these will provide a solid foundation for your essay. It is also essential to consider the interests and knowledge of your target audience. A topic that is too specialized or obscure may alienate readers, while a topic that is too broad may lack focus and depth.

Once you have identified a few potential topics, conduct thorough research to ensure that there is enough information available to support and develop your essay. Look for reputable sources such as books, scholarly articles, and credible websites to gather the necessary facts and evidence. This will not only strengthen the credibility of your essay but also provide you with a wealth of information to draw from when writing.

Researching and Gathering Information

When embarking on an informative essay, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and gather relevant information before putting pen to paper. The process of researching and gathering information is an integral part of crafting a well-informed and compelling essay.

Firstly, it is essential to identify reliable sources that will serve as the foundation for your essay. These sources should be reputable and trustworthy, providing accurate and up-to-date information on the topic at hand. Utilizing a variety of sources such as books, scholarly articles, reputable websites, and expert interviews can help to ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of the subject.

Next, take the time to critically evaluate the gathered information. This involves analyzing the sources for bias, credibility, and relevancy. It is important to consider the perspectives and arguments presented in each source and to cross-reference information to ensure its accuracy. This will help to create a balanced and unbiased essay that is based on well-supported evidence.

While conducting research, it is also essential to take detailed notes and organize the information in a systematic manner. This can be done through the use of note-taking techniques such as creating outlines, summarizing main ideas, or using visual aids like charts or diagrams. By organizing the information in a clear and logical manner, it becomes easier to identify key points and develop a structured essay.

In addition to gathering information from external sources, it can also be beneficial to consult internal sources such as personal experiences or observations. This adds a unique perspective to the essay and can provide valuable insights. However, it is important to balance these personal experiences with external research to ensure a well-rounded and credible essay.

In conclusion, researching and gathering information is a critical step in the process of writing an informative essay. By utilizing reliable sources, critically evaluating information, and taking detailed notes, you can create a persuasive and well-informed essay that provides valuable insights on the topic at hand.

Organizing and Outlining the Essay

Arranging and structuring the essay is an essential step in creating an informative piece. By organizing your thoughts and outlining the content, you can effectively present your ideas to the audience.

When considering the organization of your essay, it is helpful to determine the most suitable pattern for conveying information. This can be achieved by using different organizing techniques, such as chronological order, cause and effect, compare and contrast, or problem and solution. Selecting the appropriate structure will depend on the subject matter and the purpose of your essay.

Furthermore, outlining the essay provides a roadmap for the writing process. Begin by outlining the main sections or topics that will be covered in the essay. Each section can then be further divided into smaller subsections or paragraphs, which will help you maintain clarity and coherence in your writing.

Within the outline, ensure that your ideas flow logically and coherently. Use strong topic sentences to introduce each section or paragraph and use supporting evidence or examples to substantiate your claims. Consider the overall flow of the essay and transitions between different sections to ensure a smooth reading experience.

Additionally, including subheadings within your essay can be advantageous, especially for longer pieces. Subheadings provide a clear and organized structure, making it easier for the reader to navigate and understand the content. They also allow you to highlight key points and provide emphasis on specific aspects.

Remember to review and revise your essay’s organization and outline as you progress in the writing process. Making adjustments and improvements will help refine your essay and make it more effective in conveying information to your readers.

Writing and Editing the Essay

Once you have gathered all the necessary information and conducted thorough research, it is time to embark on the process of crafting and refining your informative essay. This stage involves putting your ideas into words and structuring them in a coherent and engaging manner.

Begin by outlining your essay to create a clear and logical structure. Start with an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and provides an overview of the topic. This should be followed by several body paragraphs, each discussing a specific aspect or subtopic related to your main theme. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas, and support your arguments with evidence and examples.

While writing, keep in mind the target audience of your essay. Tailor your language and tone to suit their needs and level of understanding. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that might confuse or alienate your readers. Instead, explain complex concepts in a simple and accessible way, and provide definitions and explanations for any specialized terminology that you do use.

Once you have completed the writing process, it is important to thoroughly edit and revise your essay. This involves reviewing your work for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Check for any grammatical or spelling errors, and ensure that your sentences and paragraphs flow smoothly. Consider seeking feedback from a peer or tutor to gain a fresh perspective and identify areas for improvement.

Editing also involves checking the overall structure and organization of your essay. Ensure that each paragraph follows a logical progression and contributes to the main argument. Use transition words and phrases to connect ideas and create a smooth and coherent flow of information. Additionally, check that your introduction and conclusion effectively summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Finally, remember to proofread your essay one last time before submitting it. Look for any remaining errors or inconsistencies, and make any necessary revisions. Pay attention to formatting and citation guidelines, and ensure that all sources are properly credited and referenced. By meticulously reviewing and editing your work, you can polish your essay and ensure that it is informative, engaging, and error-free.

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How to make a video essay: A guide for beginners

What type of content do you primarily create?

Video essays are an incredibly popular genre on YouTube, and many new creators are eager to have their views heard on topics in culture and politics. But making a video essay involves a lot more than just sitting in front of a camera and pressing record. This guide is intended for beginners who don’t quite know where to start. 

What is a video essay?

A video essay’s primary defining feature is that it sets out to make an argument. It is, to put it simply, like an essay you wrote in school. Video essays often cover politics, popular media, or science.

But unlike the essays you wrote in school, video essays need extensive visual accompaniment, whether that’s footage (or B-roll ), still images, or animation.

Here’s how you can get started:

Step 1: Craft a thesis

Good video essays will have a central thesis explored throughout the piece. If you can’t summarize your thesis in a sentence (sometimes two), you’ve still got work to do. The best theses immediately leave the viewer wanting to know more. Test it on friends: If you state your thesis to friends and get reactions of curiosity or excitement you’re on to something.

Consider one of my favorite video essays, whose thesis is right in the title: "Why Snowpiercer is a sequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

‎ Sometimes, a thesis is a little more subtle, but nonetheless important. In Yhara Zayd’s video on horror movies, she argues that horror has always been a genre for social criticism.

‎ The rest of your video isn’t just proving that thesis, though that’s important. You'll want to explore the twists and turns of the idea. What questions does your thesis raise? What are the big doubts about your thesis, and how do you address them? How can we zoom out from your thesis and ask even bigger questions? 

Step 2: Determine your audience  

Your audience will dictate what level of complexity and detail you should cover in your video. If you’re an engineering channel, maybe you want to appeal to working engineers who understand the jargon of the profession. But if you’d like a broader audience, you’ll need to take the time to define terms and give background information. The best video essays usually appeal to both—their topics are unique enough to be interesting to people with prior knowledge of the topic, while accessible enough to be understood to a casual viewer.

Step 3: Organize your research early

Your video essay should have lots of supporting evidence. Aside from the usual list of articles and books, video essays can also use visual evidence.

If you’re commenting on media, that means hyper-specific shots and lines of dialogue. If you’re commenting on history, that means old news clips. Filmed interviews are a great resource regardless of the topic.

Whenever I'm trying to cover a show, I’ll watch the show (sometimes twice), take extensive notes, pause to write out lines of dialogue, and mark where specific moments supported various themes, motifs, or ideas. 

I've always regretted telling myself I’d remember a specific line or shot because I'd find myself spending an hour to hunt it down later in the process.

Whether you’re commenting on news footage, video games, or film and TV, I cannot stress enough how much extensive notetaking will improve your video essay later in the process.

The same advice goes for any books or news articles you might cite: annotate extensively and cite them in your piece.

Step 4: Familiarize yourself with "fair use"

Many video essays source footage from the news, TV, and film without licensing them. I'm not here to give advice on the legality of that, but I do think any video essayist should familiarize themselves with fair use .

Fair use is a set of criteria that a creator can use to defend their use of copyrighted work. It's not a license to freely use copyrighted work if you think you fit those standards; it’s a series of tests a judge should weigh in court. 

Usually, it doesn’t come to that. Most copyright issues go through YouTube’s copyright claim system , which you should also read up on. A film studio may claim your content, or block it altogether, for using their copyrighted material. YouTube allows you to appeal these claims , but if both parties won’t give up, the question can only be settled by a judge (in the US, at least).

Step 5: Start your script

Be sure to use a two-column script, rather than just writing out everything as if it were a traditional essay.

In one column, you’re writing what you’re saying, or what the footage is saying. In the other, write what you plan to show. Your notes here should be specific enough to help you later in the editing process. You may want to add a third column for notes, or sources to cite later.

Writing a video essay follows some different rules than what your English teacher might have expected. Most video essays use a conversational style, and include words, phrases, and grammar that would never fly with the written word. Sometimes that includes filler words, like starting a sentence with “so” or putting an “um” for effect. Just don’t overdo it.

Other writing rules still apply. Be concise, use active verbs, and otherwise just make sure you sound like a human.

Step 6: Film (or record)

You don’t need a $10,000 filming setup to make good video essays. Plenty of  people start with just a microphone, completely avoiding the camera altogether in what's known as a faceless YouTube video .

The two most important things to recommend: get good sound, and be natural. People can tolerate a lot of visual sins, but usually won’t put up with bad audio quality. Similarly, you don’t need to have the charisma of a talk show host, but people have no tolerance for on-screen performances that seem forced or fake.

That is all to say, get a decent microphone and be yourself. If you’re on-screen, buy a cheap teleprompter setup for your phone or camera.

Step 7: Start editing

There are many options for video editing software out there (and Descript is a great one), even for people with limited video editing experience. This article isn’t long enough to be an editing guide , but a few quick tips for a true novice:

• Don’t linger on any one visual for too long. Instead, mix up the visual interest of your video.
• Emphasize important concepts with text on screen.
• Take the time to learn a little about color grading .
• Clean up any noticeable background noise .

Step 8: Figure out your title and thumbnail

This may be the last step of this article, but it should often begin while you’re brainstorming. Your title and thumbnail should generate intrigue without giving it all away. Video essays often lean on titles with “How” and “Why.” Lessons from the Screenplay is a good example:

But video essays can also make provocative statements that make the viewer curious about how you’ll back it up. Consider Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell’s “ Smoking is Awesome ,” which I promise is not pro-tobacco.

Step 9: Publish

Finally, it's time to put your video out into the world and see how it fares. Your first video essay won't be perfect. It's important to put your work in public, take in feedback, and move on to your next project. Like all things, skill comes with time.

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• Knowledge Base
• How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples

How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Table of contents

Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic  and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

• Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
• Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
• Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

• Thesis statement
• First piece of evidence
• Second piece of evidence
• Summary/synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

• Importance of the internet
• Concerns about internet use
• Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
• Data exploring this effect
• Analysis indicating it is overstated
• Students’ reading levels over time
• Why this data is questionable
• Video media
• Interactive media
• Speed and simplicity of online research
• Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
• Evidence indicating its ubiquity
• Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
• Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
• Argument that it introduces students to citation
• Summary of key points
• Value of digital education for students
• Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
• Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
• Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
• Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
• Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
• Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
• Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
• Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
• Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
• Link to the Reformation.
• Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
• Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
• Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
• Summarize the history described.
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

• Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
• Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
• Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
• Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
• Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
• Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
• Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
• Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
• Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
• Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
• Answer the research question
• Indicate areas for further study

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

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You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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