(IC) Lesson Topic 1: Elements of Informational Text

Much of the writing we do is narrative writing; however, in this lesson, we will focus on informational writing.

Informational text is:

• Writing that informs by means of facts, reasons, examples, theses, opinions, and explanations.
• Textbooks
• Essays
• Newspaper articles
• Magazine articles
• Encyclopedia, dictionaries, and other references

Elements of informational text:

• Definition
• Description
• Comparison and contrast
• Cause and effect
• Process
• Categorization
• Main idea and details

Example of informative text:

The polar bear is a bear native largely within the Arctic Circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas, and surrounding land masses. It is the world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak bear, which is approximately the same size. A boar (adult male) weighs around 350- 700kg (770- 1,500lb), while a sow (adult female) is about half that size. Although it is closely related to the brown bear, it has evolved to occupy a narrower ecological niche, with many body characteristics adapted for cold temperatures, for moving across snow, ice, and open water, and for hunting the seals which make up most of its diet. Although most polar bears are born on land, they spend most of their time at sea. Their scientific name means "maritime bear" and derives from this fact. Polar bears can hunt their preferred food of seals from the edge of sea ice, often living off fat reserves when no sea ice is present. 

The informative text uses facts and details, opinions, and examples to inform and persuade.

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