Contextualization

Introduction to Informative and Explanatory Writing

The essence of communication is to convey information. Infused in our everyday language is the art of informative and explanatory writing. This style of writing is vital for educating, articulating, and explaining concepts in a clear and concise manner. Unlike narrative or persuasive writing, informative and explanatory writing focuses on factual information and details. It aims at increasing the reader's knowledge about a certain topic, breaking down complex concepts, and presenting data logically and efficiently.

The ability to write informatively and explanatory is not only important in academics but also in the world beyond school. It is a crucial skill in many professions like journalism, business, academia, etc. where you need to explain some information to a particular audience. Whether you are writing a report for a project, explaining a procedure to a colleague, or writing a how-to guide, you are using informative and explanatory writing skills.

Real World Application of Informative and Explanatory Writing

In the digital age, writing is not just for authors or journalists. Every day, millions of people use written communication in their personal and professional lives. Blogging, social media updates, emails, reports, and many other forms of written communication have engulfed our lives. By learning how to write informative and explanatory texts, students will be better prepared to participate in the digital world, where the written word has a major role.

In any profession, being able to write clearly and informatively is a crucial skill. Whether in the medical field, where doctors and nurses need to write clear notes about a patient's condition, or in the business world, where clear and concise memos, reports, and emails are necessary, the skill of informative writing is highly valued. Furthermore, in a world bustling with misinformation, the ability to accurately convey information is more important than ever.

Resources

To gain more knowledge and understanding of the topic, you can refer to:

1. Purdue Online Writing Lab - A splendid resource for understanding and improving your writing skills.
2. ReadWriteThink - This website provides a variety of high-quality resources for teachers and students.
3. National Writing Project - Offers a wide range of resources and materials for teaching writing to students.
4. Strunk, William, and White, E.B. The Elements of Style. Longman, 1999 - An indispensable classic on how to write clear, correct English.
5. Book - Harbrace College Handbook, by John C. Hodges and Mary E. Whitten. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1998 - A comprehensive book to develop your writing skills.
6. Grammarly Blog - Blogs on various writing and grammar topics.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Conveying Information: Explanatory Writing on Topics of Interest"

Objective of the Project

The goal of this project is to allow students to explore the techniques of writing informative/explanatory texts, as well as improve their research skills, ability to organize thoughts, and convey information coherently and logically.

Detailed Description of the Project

In this activity, each group of students (3-5 per group) will be responsible for researching, writing, and presenting an informative and explanatory text on a topic of their choosing. The topic may be from any subject area (science, history, arts, etc), but it has to be approved by the teacher. The purpose here is to examine the chosen topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information effectively to their peers and teacher.

The project will be divided into three main parts:

1. Research Phase: The first stage involves extensive research about the chosen topic. During this phase, students will gather facts, statistics, and relevant data related to their topic. The students will learn to select and organize the relevant content they've found.

2. Writing Phase: The second stage is the writing phase where students will create an informative and explanatory text. They will learn how to structure their text, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Their work must contain the objective of the writing, the detailed explanation of the facts, logical sequence of information, and the points of interest that can engage the reader.

3. Presentation and Peer Review Phase: The last phase of the project is the presentation phase where each group will present their work to the class. This phase will allow other students to understand different topics, and it will also give the presenting group the chance to receive feedback from their peers.

Necessary Materials

• Computer/Internet access for research
• Notebook and pen for note-taking
• Presentation software (like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides)

Detailed Step-by-step

1. Form your groups of 3-5 students per group and select a topic that interests you. Remember, your topic should be approved by your teacher.

2. Once your topic is approved, start the research phase. Use various sources for your research such as books, reputable online resources, research papers, etc. Make sure to take detailed notes and keep track of your sources for your bibliography.

3. After the research phase, start structuring and writing your text. Your text should have an introduction (with a clear thesis statement), body paragraphs (with supporting evidence), and a conclusion (that reiterates the main points and wraps up the paper).

4. While writing, ensure to:

   • Use clear, concise, and understandable language.
   • Present your information in a logical sequence.
   • Make sure your writing is informative and explanatory.
   • Use appropriate transitions to connect the dots.

5. Once your text is written, prepare a presentation to share your findings with the class. This includes creating a slideshow of the key points, and rehearsing the presentation.

6. On presentation day, share your work with the class. Be prepared to answer any questions your classmates or teacher might have.

7. After the presentation, submit a written report of your project, as detailed below.

Project Deliveries

At the end of this activity, each group must submit the following:

A written document reporting the project containing:

1. Introduction: Contextualize your chosen topic, its relevance, real-world application, and the objective of this project.
2. Development: Detail the methodology used, the theory behind the central theme(s) of your project, explain the activity, and discuss the obtained results.
3. Conclusion: Conclude the work by revisiting its main points, explicitly stating the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn about the project.
4. Used Bibliography: Indicate the sources you relied on to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

Make sure to proofread your document for any grammatical or spelling errors, and make sure all citations and references are correctly formatted.

Remember, the document report is for you to reflect on your practical work, learning process, and achievements. It should be submitted within the one-month project period. Writing this report will essentially give you a practical experience of writing informative and explanatory texts about the work you did on your chosen topic.