Writing Informative or Explanatory Texts: Full Lesson

Lesson bundle · Grades 11–12 · Slides, doc, worksheet · $4 or included with All-Access

This lesson teaches what informative and explanatory writing is, how it's built, and how it differs from argument. I wrote it for grades 11-12, but it works for any class getting ready for a research or explanatory essay.

The slides go through six sections: what the genre is, the types of text, three key qualities (accuracy, specificity, clarity), structural features of an explanatory essay versus an informative report, formal and objective style, and choosing primary and secondary sources.

Students take notes on the guide sheet as you go, then finish the six-question checkpoint. On the checkpoint they define the purpose, compare essay and report structure, rewrite a casual sentence in formal style, and pick sources for a climate change project.

What's included

• Lesson slides (.pptx) covering 6 topics
• One-page guide sheet that summarizes the slides (editable Google Doc)
• Six-question checkpoint worksheet (editable Google Doc)
• Answer key for the checkpoint

How teachers use it

• Kickoff lesson before an explanatory essay or research report
• Guide sheet doubles as a reference students keep in their notebooks
• Checkpoint works as an exit ticket or quick grade