Writing to Inform

Writing to Inform

 When you write to inform you are explaining or informing the reader about facts.  It answers the basic questions: Who?  What?  When?  Where?  When?  Why?  How?

The largest animal ever to live on earth is the blue whale.  They can grow this large because seawater can support their tremendous weight.  Once whalers in the Antarctic caught a 108 foot long blue whale.  In modern times, blue whales can reach 150 tons.  To maintain its size, a blue whale will eat up to four tons of krill per day.

Who – whalers	When – ever, modern times
What – animal	Why – seawater
Where - earth	How – eat up to 4 tons of krill per day

 When writing to inform give information in a logical order.

 When writing to inform the writer can explain a process of how to do something or tell events in sequence or time order.

To spot a blue whale, start by watching the surface of the sea, looking for the blow.  Blue whales release blows of up to 30 feet in height.  Next use binoculars to spot the body.  A blue whale looks like a large moving sandbar.  Then look for the short dorsal fin near the tail.  Finally, check for the triangular parts of the tail.  If the tail rises above the water the animal is diving deep and may be gone for awhile.

Trouble had been brewing for more than 10 years.  In 1763 Britain defeated France in the French and Indian War.  Britain then tried to tighten control over its 13 American colonies and tax the colonies more heavily.

• When writing about a process you can use signal words such as: first, second, third, finally, to begin, to continue, afterward, to finish, start by, next, then, and last.

 When writing to inform the writer can compare and contrast two subjects.  They are telling how the two subjects are similar and different.

Both the blue whale and the whale shark are gentle giants, but otherwise they are very different.  The blue whale is a mammal that breathes air, while the whale shark is a water breathing fish.  Blue whales use songs to communicate.  Whale sharks, on the other hand, like to be alone and are silent.  However, both deserve protection from hunters.

• Signal words for similarities are: both, similarly, likewise, same, and, also, etc.
• Signal words for differences are: however, by contrast, otherwise, different, but, and while.

 When writing to inform the writer can explain why something happens; how facts or events (causes) lead to other facts or events (effects). 

As the left plate slides down into the earth, it enters the hot mantle.  Rocks in the sliding plate begin to melt, and they form magma………..

• Signal words that show cause and effect are: due to, because of, as the result of, therefore, because, so, consequently, for this reason, is caused by, if....then, leads/led to, so that, and when....then.

 When writing to inform the writer can describe a problem and present one or more solutions to that problem.

Environmentalists are battling to save remaining native species.  Scientists and private citizens are attempting to preserve 4,000 acres on the island of Hawaii by fencing them off against alien invader species……….

• Signal words for problem and solution: solve, resolve, concluded that, fix, issue being dealt with, problem, solution, remedy, and issue.

 When writing to inform the writer can write an essay for a research project.  Once we get past writing paragraphs, essays are what will be our main focus for writing to inform.

 The first step in writing an essay is to organize your thoughts.

• Develope a research question.  Make sure your question is specific.  For example, if you write an essay on dogs the topic is too broad.  You should narrow your topic to a specific type of dog like a golden retriever.  You might ask questions such as: Why is a golden retriever classified as a water dog?  In what ways are golden retrievers used to help humans?
• One way to narrow down your topic is by brainstorming.  Write down whatever comes into your mind about your topic.  Read through what you wrote and pick an idea you can develope into an essay.

 Come up with a sentence about your topic.  For example:  Golden retrievers are used as rescue dogs.

 Decide where to find your information.  Use the suggestions created below by Connie Zack, a media specialist.

Encyclopedias	Books
I should look in an encyclopedia if I want: ·         A short general overview of my topic to scan for background information. ·         Answers to specific factual questions. ·         Information written by specialists who know their subjects. ·         Information that does not have to be current (always check the copyright date) This is a good place to start to get an overview of a topic.	I should look in a book if I want: ·         More detailed covered of a topic. ·         Information from specialists who have done research on the topic. ·         Information organized in a way that helps me find information such as with table on contents or indexes. ·         Information that does not have to be current (always check the copyright date) You can’t go wrong with a book.

Periodicals

Internet

I should look in a periodical if I want: ·         Information of popular “hot” topics. ·         Information on current events. ·         Articles written by professional journalists who have done research. ·         Very current information. ·         A focus on a narrow part of a larger topic. ·         Examples of events or people in the news that help make research clearer. These can be magazines, journals, newsletters, or newspapers.

I should look on the internet if I want: ·         Information that is really hard to find anywhere else. ·         The very latest information on your topic, but you should always check the dates posted. ·         Opinions from different people or organizations about your topic. ·         A variety of information from people, businesses, organizations, and reference books online. When using the Internet always check to see who posted the information and how much they know about the topic.  Are they students or teachers?  Are they giving facts or their own opinions?

 Before you begin writing you need to plan.  Draw a graphic organizer like one of the examples below.

 Write your rough draft.

• Every essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• The introduction is the first paragraph.  It begins with a general statement about your topic and ends with the main idea of your essay.
• The introduction should let the reader know the topic of the essay, your point of view about the topic, and should capture your reader's curiousity.
• The body of the essay is where you develop your ideas.  The body is several paragraphs long.
• The body should have one main idea per paragraph, details that support each main idea, and transition words so your paragraphs flow smoothly.
• The conclusion is the last paragraph.  In the conclusion you summarize your main points, without including specific details.  You should also restate the main idea of the entire essay in words that are different from how you stated it in the introduction.

 Revise and edit your rough draft.

• To revise rethink your ideas:  Do you need to delete unnecessary information?  Do you need to add more details to prove your main idea or make your thoughts clearer?  Do you need to rearrange your paragraphs or reword sentences? 
• To edit check your spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar rules. 
• Remember that if you typed your essay on the computer spell check does not always correct all errors.  You still need to look for errors.

 Extend your revision with a peer edit.  Exchange papers with someone in your team.  Give each other suggestions.  Remember that you should let your partner know at least 2 things you liked and at least 2 ways they could improve their essay.

 Write your final draft.  Remember a final draft should include all the changes you made in the rough draft during revising and editing.  A final draft is NOT simply copying your rough draft a second time!

 To use an interactive essay map.  

 To complete a tutorial on compare/contrast essays.

 To use an interactive compare/contrast map.

 To complete a tutorial on choosing resources.

 To complete a tutorial on how to find facts in non-fiction text.

 To use an interactive timeline to plan your essay.

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