Informative and Explanatory Writing

Presenting Information Clearly and Accurately

To write an effective informative/explanatory essay, it’s important to present information clearly and accurately.

Start by clearly stating the topic or subject you are explaining. This helps the reader understand the focus of your essay from the beginning. Also, craft a strong thesis statement that expresses the main idea or purpose of your essay. This statement will guide your writing and ensure you stay on track.

Structuring the Text in a Logical Order

Begin with an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and provides some context for your topic. This introduction should set the stage for what you will explain in your essay.

Divide your essay into paragraphs, each focusing on a distinct idea or subtopic. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of that paragraph. This helps guide your readers through your essay and keeps your ideas organised.

Use transitional words and phrases to establish smooth connections between ideas and paragraphs. Words like “firstly,” “next,” “in addition,” “however,” and “finally” can help signal the flow of your essay and make it easier to follow.

Finally, end your essay with a strong conclusion. Summarise the main points you’ve discussed and reinforce the overall message of your essay. This conclusion leaves a lasting impression on your readers and ties everything together.

Using Appropriate Vocabulary and Language

Consider your readers and use language that is clear, concise and suitable for them. Avoid using jargon or technical terms unless you explain them clearly within the essay.

To make your writing engaging, use varied sentence structures. Mix shorter and longer sentences to create rhythm and avoid monotony (a lack of variety). Also, use descriptive language to help your readers visualise and understand the concepts you are explaining. 

Supporting information

Supporting your information and explanations with examples, facts or data adds credibility and depth to your essay. Provide relevant and concrete examples that illustrate your points. These examples can be real-world scenarios or personal experiences that make your essay relatable and engaging.

  • If you were arguing about the importance of renewable energy, you might say: “In 2022, Denmark generated nearly half of its electricity from wind power, demonstrating the real-world potential of renewables.”

When using facts or data, ensure they are accurate and from credible sources. Citing these sources adds credibility to your arguments and strengthens your essay. You can also use statistics, graphs or charts to present data in a clear and visually appealing manner.

  • For an essay about childhood obesity, you could include a chart showing the increase in rates of childhood obesity over the past few decades, based on data from the World Health Organisation.

Remember to explain the significance of the examples, facts or data you provide. This helps your readers understand the relevance of the supporting evidence and reinforces the strength of your arguments.