The document provides guidance on writing informative/explanatory texts. It outlines six key elements that should be addressed: (1) introducing the topic, (2) developing the topic thoroughly with facts and details, (3) using transitions to clarify relationships, (4) using precise language, (5) maintaining a formal style, and (6) providing a concluding statement that follows from the information presented. Teachers should front-load definitions of formats, organizational strategies, and conventions to help students address these elements in their writing.

1. Informative/ Explanatory Writing Murray Hill Middle School Donyall D. Dickey, Principal

16. Write informative / explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant information. Introduce (a) and develop (b) a topic By selecting definitions, concrete details, quotations or other information and examples (b) Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts (c) Use precise language and domain specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic (d) Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the information or explanation presented (f) Formal style (e) Choices along the way throughout text composition* Definition, Classification, Comparison/Contrast, Cause/Effect (a) Description * Problem/Solution * Chronological * Include: Formatting (headings) Graphics (charts, tables) Multimedia when useful to aid comprehension (a) May need to consider avoiding “I” Be conscious of word choice (use “child” instead of “kid”) Vary sentence length Avoid vague words (some, a few) Avoid contractions ____________________________________________________________________________ At last Next Conversely Furthermore However For example Otherwise Therefore In conclusion First, Second… __________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Ensure topic completely addresses prompt Topic should be concise and focused Ensure topic is developed throughout writing ____________________________________________________________________________ Writer’s workshop/conferences Continually re-focus students to topic Edit or revise details or examples that do not support topic ____________________________________________________________________________

17. INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 6 SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language Introduction of Topic Organization of Information Supporting Facts & Details Relevance of Conclusion Comprehension Aids Language Choices Formality of Style Command of Conventions 4 Topic is precise, clearly stated. Ideas, concepts and information are developed with cohesive organization and appropriate transitions. Relevant facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to extend comprehension. Uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary consistently to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone. Demonstrates strong command of the conventions of standard written English. 3 Topic is precise. Ideas, concepts, and information are developed based on an organizational strategy using appropriate transitions. Facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Provides a concluding statement or section that connects relevant details and the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension. Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard written English with minimal errors. 2 Topic is partially stated. Ideas, concepts, and information lacks an organizational strategy. Facts and details are not fully developed. Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to the topic. Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do not aid comprehension. Inconsistently uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Establishes and maintains a formal style with some lapses. Conventions distract the reader. 1 Topic is ambiguous. Ideas, concepts, and information are disorganized. Facts and details are not relevant to the topic. Conclusion does not support the topic. Does not include formatting, graphics, and/or multimedia. Does not use precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Style is informal. Conventions interfere with meaning. Comments:

18. INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 7 SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language Introduction of Topic Organization of Information Supporting Facts & Details Relevance of Conclusion Comprehension Aids Language Choices Formality of Style Command of Conventions 4 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and previews what is to follow. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate and varied transitions. Relevant, well-chosen facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to extend comprehension. Uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary consistently to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone. Demonstrates strong command of the conventions of standard written English. 3 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and partially previews what is to follow. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate transitions. Relevant facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Provides a concluding statement or section that connects relevant details and the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension. Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard written English with minimal errors. 2 Topic is precise. Ideas, concepts, & information are developed based on an organizational strategy. Relevant facts and details are presented but only partially developed and support the topic. Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to the topic. Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do not aid comprehension. Inconsistently uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Establishes and maintains a formal style with some lapses. Conventions distract the reader. 1 Topic is partially stated or ambiguous. Development of ideas, concepts, & information lacks an organizational strategy or is disorganized. Facts and details are not developed/ relevant to the topic. Conclusion does not support the topic. Does not include formatting, graphics, and/or multimedia. Does not use precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Style is informal. Conventions interfere with meaning. Comments:

19. INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 8 SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language Introduction of Topic Organization of Information Supporting Facts & Details Relevance of Conclusion Comprehension Aids Language Choices Formality of Style Command of Conventions 4 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and previews what is to follow. Organization of complex ideas, concepts & information are developed to make important connections/distinctions. Well-chosen, relevant and sufficient facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to extend comprehension. Uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary consistently to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone. Demonstrates strong command of the conventions of standard written English. 3 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and partially previews what is to follow. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate and varied transitions. Well-chosen, relevant facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Provides a concluding statement or section that connects relevant details and the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension. Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard written English with minimal errors. 2 Topic is precise. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate transitions. Relevant facts and details are presented and support the topic. Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to the topic. Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do not aid comprehension. Inconsistently uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Establishes and maintains a formal style with some lapses. Conventions distract the reader. 1 Topic is partially stated or ambiguous. Ideas, concepts, & information are not fully developed based on an organizational strategy. Facts and details are partially or not developed/ relevant to the topic. Conclusion does not support the topic. Does not include formatting, graphics, and/or multimedia. Does not use precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Style is informal. Conventions interfere with meaning. Comments:

20. INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 6 SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language Introduction of Topic (a) Organization of Information (a) and (c) Supporting Facts & Details (b) Relevance of Conclusion (f) Comprehension Aids (a) Language Choices (d) Formality of Style (e) Command of Conventions (*) 4 Topic is precise, clearly stated. Ideas, concepts and information are developed with cohesive organization and appropriate transitions. Relevant facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to extend comprehension. Uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary consistently to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone. Demonstrates strong command of the conventions of standard written English. 3 Topic is precise. Ideas, concepts, and information are developed based on an organizational strategy using appropriate transitions. Facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Provides a concluding statement or section that connects relevant details and the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension. Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard written English with minimal errors. 2 Topic is partially stated. Ideas, concepts, and information lacks an organizational strategy. Facts and details are not fully developed. Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to the topic. Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do not aid comprehension. Inconsistently uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Establishes and maintains a formal style with some lapses. Conventions distract the reader. 1 Topic is ambiguous. Ideas, concepts, and information are disorganized. Facts and details are not relevant to the topic. Conclusion does not support the topic. Does not include formatting, graphics, and/or multimedia. Does not use precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Style is informal. Conventions interfere with meaning. Comments:

21. INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 7 SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language Introduction of Topic (a) Organization of Information (a) and (c) Supporting Facts & Details (b) Relevance of Conclusion (f) Comprehension Aids (a) Language Choices (d) Formality of Style (e) Command of Conventions (*) 4 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and previews what is to follow. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate and varied transitions. Relevant, well-chosen facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to extend comprehension. Uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary consistently to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone. Demonstrates strong command of the conventions of standard written English. 3 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and partially previews what is to follow. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate transitions. Relevant facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Provides a concluding statement or section that connects relevant details and the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension. Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard written English with minimal errors. 2 Topic is precise. Ideas, concepts, & information are developed based on an organizational strategy. Relevant facts and details are presented but only partially developed and support the topic. Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to the topic. Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do not aid comprehension. Inconsistently uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Establishes and maintains a formal style with some lapses. Conventions distract the reader. 1 Topic is partially stated or ambiguous. Development of ideas, concepts, & information lacks an organizational strategy or is disorganized. Facts and details are not developed/ relevant to the topic. Conclusion does not support the topic. Does not include formatting, graphics, and/or multimedia. Does not use precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Style is informal. Conventions interfere with meaning. Comments:

22. INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 8 SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language Introduction of Topic (a) Organization of Information (a) and (c) Supporting Facts & Details (b) Relevance of Conclusion (f) Comprehension Aids (a) Language Choices (d) Formality of Style (e) Command of Conventions (*) 4 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and previews what is to follow. Organization of complex ideas, concepts & information are developed to make important connections/distinctions. Well-chosen, relevant and sufficient facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to extend comprehension. Uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary consistently to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone. Demonstrates strong command of the conventions of standard written English. 3 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and partially previews what is to follow. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate and varied transitions. Well-chosen, relevant facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Provides a concluding statement or section that connects relevant details and the topic. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension. Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard written English with minimal errors. 2 Topic is precise. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate transitions. Relevant facts and details are presented and support the topic. Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to the topic. Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do not aid comprehension. Inconsistently uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Establishes and maintains a formal style with some lapses. Conventions distract the reader. 1 Topic is partially stated or ambiguous. Ideas, concepts, & information are not fully developed based on an organizational strategy. Facts and details are partially or not developed/ relevant to the topic. Conclusion does not support the topic. Does not include formatting, graphics, and/or multimedia. Does not use precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Style is informal. Conventions interfere with meaning. Comments:

23. INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 6 SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language Introduction of Topic (a) Organization of Information (a) and (c) Comprehension Aids (a) Supporting Facts & Details (b) Language Choices (d) Formality of Style (e) Relevance of Conclusion (f) Command of Conventions (*) 4 Topic is precise, clearly stated. Ideas, concepts and information are developed with cohesive organization and appropriate transitions. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to extend comprehension. Relevant facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary consistently to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone. Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the topic. Demonstrates strong command of the conventions of standard written English. 3 Topic is precise. Ideas, concepts, and information are developed based on an organizational strategy using appropriate transitions. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension. Facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style. Provides a concluding statement or section that connects relevant details and the topic. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard written English with minimal errors. 2 Topic is partially stated. Ideas, concepts, and information lacks an organizational strategy. Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do not aid comprehension. Facts and details are not fully developed. Inconsistently uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Establishes and maintains a formal style with some lapses. Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to the topic. Conventions distract the reader. 1 Topic is ambiguous. Ideas, concepts, and information are disorganized. Does not include formatting, graphics, and/or multimedia. Facts and details are not relevant to the topic. Does not use precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Style is informal. Conclusion does not support the topic. Conventions interfere with meaning. Comments:

24. INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 7 SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language Introduction of Topic (a) Organization of Information (a) and (c) Comprehension Aids (a) Supporting Facts & Details (b) Language Choices (d) Formality of Style (e) Relevance of Conclusion (f) Command of Conventions (*) 4 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and previews what is to follow. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate and varied transitions. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to extend comprehension. Relevant, well-chosen facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary consistently to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone. Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the topic. Demonstrates strong command of the conventions of standard written English. 3 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and partially previews what is to follow. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate transitions. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension. Relevant facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style. Provides a concluding statement or section that connects relevant details and the topic. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard written English with minimal errors. 2 Topic is precise. Ideas, concepts, & information are developed based on an organizational strategy. Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do not aid comprehension. Relevant facts and details are presented but only partially developed and support the topic. Inconsistently uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Establishes and maintains a formal style with some lapses. Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to the topic. Conventions distract the reader. 1 Topic is partially stated or ambiguous. Development of ideas, concepts, & information lacks an organizational strategy or is disorganized. Does not include formatting, graphics, and/or multimedia. Facts and details are not developed/ relevant to the topic. Does not use precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Style is informal. Conclusion does not support the topic. Conventions interfere with meaning. Comments:

25. INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 8 SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language Introduction of Topic (a) Organization of Information (a) and (c) Comprehension Aids (a) Supporting Facts & Details (b) Language Choices (d) Formality of Style (e) Relevance of Conclusion (f) Command of Conventions (*) 4 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and previews what is to follow. Organization of complex ideas, concepts & information are developed to make important connections/distinctions. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to extend comprehension. Well-chosen, relevant and sufficient facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary consistently to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone. Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the topic. Demonstrates strong command of the conventions of standard written English. 3 Topic is precise, clearly stated, and partially previews what is to follow. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate and varied transitions. Includes formatting (headings), graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension. Well-chosen, relevant facts and details are presented to fully support the topic. Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about/explain the topic. Establishes and maintains a formal style. Provides a concluding statement or section that connects relevant details and the topic. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard written English with minimal errors. 2 Topic is precise. Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization using appropriate transitions. Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do not aid comprehension. Relevant facts and details are presented and support the topic. Inconsistently uses precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Establishes and maintains a formal style with some lapses. Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to the topic. Conventions distract the reader. 1 Topic is partially stated or ambiguous. Ideas, concepts, & information are not fully developed based on an organizational strategy. Does not include formatting, graphics, and/or multimedia. Facts and details are partially or not developed/ relevant to the topic. Does not use precise language and domain specific vocabulary. Style is informal. Conclusion does not support the topic. Conventions interfere with meaning. Comments: