3. A way of using language to provide
information about a topic
Can be done using context area
textbooks, information
books, magazines, encyclopedias etc
Appears on most state writing assessments
This type of writing progresses on a spectrum
and this study developed a framework
classifying 8 Categories
Teachers can use these categories to develop
instruction and enhance their students
writing
4. Labels - identify aspects of a picture a
student has drawn – using a single word
◦ Ex: girl, flower
Fact Statements – clause or sentence that
exceeds pointing out aspects of labeling by
including genre-specific features
◦ Ex: This is an umbrella.
5. Fact Lists – collections of statements or
sentences connected by a topic that can be
easily reordered without losing any meaning
◦ Example: Spiders lay eggs. Spiders make webs.
Spiders use webs.
Couplets – Sentences that are coupled
together through order or related ideas
◦ Jungles have a lot of good animals. There are tigers,
monkeys and gorillas.
6. Fact List Collection – two or more lists are
created for subtopics of a larger topic – no
order within or between lists
◦ Ex: “ Farm Animals” Pigs are slipper. Pigs oink.
Cows give milk. They eat grass. Sheeps give wool.
Couplet Collection – A collection of two
related statements (subtopics) that include
more evidence and explanation
◦ Ex: “Hot Air balloons” They have many special
shapes. Some balloons are all red. Some balloons
are all colors of the rainbow. They go up when it’s
cold. Some balloons glow at night.
7. Single/Unordered Paragraphs - Paragraphs
that introduce a topic and subtopics with
subtopics in paragraph form (3 or more
sentences) and they could be rearranged
without disruption of the meaning
Ordered Paragraphs - Paragraphs that are
more complex and connected. They cannot
be rearranged without altering meaning.
