This document defines and provides examples of informational texts. Informational texts are nonfiction and aim to inform or explain a topic to readers. Examples given include newspapers, biographies, autobiographies, almanacs, and magazines. While some magazine sections use fiction, the overall purpose is to inform readers. Informational writing differs from fiction in that it presents factual information rather than stories, but both aim to engage their audience and have a clear purpose.

1. Informational Writing
What is it?

2. Definition:
• Nonfiction text (real, not just
“realistic”)
• Used to inform or explain something
to the reading audience
• Many different types…

3. Examples of
informational texts:
• Newspapers - a daily
or weekly publication
on folded sheets;
contains news and
articles and
advertisements

4. Examples of
informational texts:
• Biographies –
accounts of the series
of events of a person’s
life (not Bibliographies)
• Autobiographies –
biographies of
yourself

5. Examples of
informational texts:
• Almanacs - annual
publications of weather
forecasts and other
information arranged
according to the calendar
of a given year

6. Examples of
informational texts:
• NO! …at least
not all sections
QUESTION: Are
ALL Magazines
informational??
• Magazines - periodic
publications containing
pictures, stories, and
articles of interest to
those who purchase or
subscribe to it

7. Examples of
informational texts:
• Is this an
informational text?

8. Let’s see if it fits our
requirements…
• Is it used to
inform or explain
something to the
reading audience?
• Is it nonfiction?
• YES!
• No, BUT… it uses
fiction to portray
fact

9. Is it informational?
YES!!

10. Examples of
informational texts:
• Is this an
informational text?

11. Let’s see if it fits our
requirements…
• Is it used to
inform or explain
something to the
reading audience?
• Is it nonfiction?
• Yes
• NO!!

12. Is it informational?
NO!!

13. How is an informational
text different from other
writing?
• Informational writing is factual while
fiction writing is not.
• Informational writing is written to inform
or explain something while fictional writing
often is a story conveying an authors point
of view or is written simply to entertain.

14. How is informational text
similar to other types of
writing?
• Just as in fictional writing, it is
important to consider your audience
• Just as in fictional writing, it is
important to have a focused purpose
to your writing

15. Let’s look at some
examples!