Basic Informational Writing
PROCEDURALCompose informative or explanatory texts that introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section
Mastery Evidence
- Write an informative text that introduces a topic clearly and groups related information together
- Use facts, definitions, and concrete details to develop and explain points about the topic
- Provide a concluding statement or section that wraps up the information presented
Assessment Prompt
“Can [child] write an explanatory or informative piece — like "How Volcanoes Work" — that introduces the topic clearly, develops it with facts and definitions, and ends with a conclusion?”
Curriculum Standards17 alignments
W.3.2Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsWrite informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
W.3.2aCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsIntroduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension.
W.3.2bCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsDevelop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.
W.3.2cCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsUse linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information.
W.3.2dCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsProvide a concluding statement or section.
W.4.2Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsWrite informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
W.4.2aCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsIntroduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
W.4.2bCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsDevelop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
W.4.2cCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsLink ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).
W.4.2dCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsUse precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
W.4.2eCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsProvide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.
W.5.2Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsWrite informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
W.5.2aCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsIntroduce a topic clearly, provide a general observation and focus, and group related information logically; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
W.5.2bCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsDevelop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
W.5.2cCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsLink ideas within and across categories of information using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., in contrast, especially).
W.5.2dCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsUse precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
W.5.2eCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsProvide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.
Prerequisites2
- Writing Craft VocabularysoftAges 8—11
- Writing to informhardAges 5—7
Show full prerequisite tree
- Writing Craft Vocabulary soft
Informative/explanatory writing requires 'form', 'structure', 'coherence', and 'evidence' vocabulary
- Writing to inform hard
Structured informative writing with facts/definitions builds on simple informative writing
- Writing Process Vocabulary hard
Informative writing requires knowing 'genre', 'audience', 'purpose', and 'detail' as concepts
- Expressing & Justifying Opinions soft
Oral expression skills support understanding formality in speech
- Exploring Ideas Through Talk soft
Conversational skills provide foundation for evaluating viewpoints
- Feeling of not understanding soft
Using talk to explore ideas and speculate requires noticing what you don't yet understand — the comprehension-monitoring habit in a spoken register
- Asking for Help hard
Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck
- Writing Process Vocabulary hard
Oral composition requires vocabulary like 'compose', 'sentence', and 'sequence' to participate meaningfully in the exercise
Unlocks1
- Drawing conclusions from evidence (age 9+)softAges 9—11