Informative Writing Structure
The shape of an informative piece: introduce the topic, give three true facts or details each explained in a sentence, then close with a summary sentence that adds no new information.
Introduce the topic
Name the topic and give a sense of what the reader will learn.
___ is a topic that...
1
Fact or detail 1
Give one true fact and explain it.
One important fact is ___.
2
Fact or detail 2
Give a different fact or detail.
Another fact is ___.
3
Fact or detail 3
Give one more fact or detail.
Finally, ___.
Closing statement
Sum up the topic in a sentence, no new facts.
Now you know that ___.
How to use this chart
- Contrast this poster with the opinion writing structure poster: informative writing reports facts, opinion writing argues a point of view, students often blend the two by accident.
- Before writing, have students research and jot down three facts first; the poster's three boxes only work once there is real content to put in them.
- The closing statement should restate the topic in new words, never introduce a brand-new fact.
Where this chart is taught
Teaching units