Opinion signal words: should, best, worst, I believe, I think, everyone needs to, in my opinion
Informative signal words: according to, for example, one reason is, studies show, this means that, as a result
Introduction to Informative Writing
SBA Prep Unit — Day 9 | Explain, Don't Argue
📚
Subject
ELA Writing
⏱️
Duration
45 min
🎯
Standard
W.5.2
📋 Standards & Objectives
📜Standards
W.5.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.
W.5.2aIntroduce a topic clearly, provide a general observation and focus, and group related information logically.
RI.5.1Quote accurately from a text and make inferences.
🎯SWBAT
- Explain the difference between opinion and informative writing.
- Identify the parts of an informative essay (topic sentence, facts/details, conclusion).
- Write an informative paragraph using facts and neutral language.
📖 Key Vocabulary
📝Informative Writing
Writing that explains or teaches the reader about a topic using facts and details — no opinions.
"Salmon travel upstream to lay their eggs in the same rivers where they were born."
👆 This sentence teaches a fact about salmon. It's informative writing.
👆 This sentence teaches a fact about salmon. It's informative writing.
A science textbook uses informative writing because it explains how things work without telling you what to think about them.
📝Topic Sentence
The first sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about — like a headline for your writing.
"Bears use several strategies to survive the cold winter months."
👆 This topic sentence tells the reader: this paragraph will be about how bears survive winter.
👆 This topic sentence tells the reader: this paragraph will be about how bears survive winter.
A strong topic sentence answers the question: "What is this paragraph about?" in one clear sentence.
📝Evidence
Facts, details, or examples that support your topic — proof that what you're saying is true.
If your topic sentence says bears survive winter, your evidence might be: "Grizzly bears eat up to 90 pounds of food per day before hibernation."
On the SBA, scorers look for specific evidence — not just "Bears eat a lot," but exact facts and numbers.
📝Neutral Language
Words that explain without giving an opinion. No "should," "best," or "I believe" — just the facts.
Neutral: "Hurricanes can cause flooding and damage buildings."
NOT neutral: "Hurricanes are the scariest things ever."
👆 The first uses neutral language. The second gives an opinion.
NOT neutral: "Hurricanes are the scariest things ever."
👆 The first uses neutral language. The second gives an opinion.
When you write with neutral language, a reader can't tell if you like or dislike the topic — you're just explaining it.
🚀 Lawyer vs. Reporter
Two different jobs, two different kinds of writing
⚖️ The Lawyer
Dogs are the best pets anyone could own. Everyone should have a dog because they make life so much better. I believe dogs bring more joy than any other animal.
📰 The Reporter
Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the United States. According to the American Kennel Club, there are over 200 recognized dog breeds. Dogs have been companions to humans for over 15,000 years.
💡 Click buttons to highlight the key differences, or use J/K keys
✅ Which Is Which?
The Lawyer tries to convince you.
The Reporter tries to inform you.
A lawyer picks a side and argues for it. A reporter gives you the facts and lets you decide.
Today we're learning to write like reporters — not lawyers.
💡 Test-Taking Tip
💡 "INFORMATIVE" Means Explain, Not Argue
If the prompt says "explain," "describe," or "tell about," don't use words like "should," "best," or "I believe." Those are opinion moves — they lose points on an informative essay.
How to use it: Before you start writing on the SBA, circle the key verb in the prompt. If it says "explain" or "describe," switch into reporter mode.
📓 Signal Words
Write this in your notebook!
Key Words
Opinion
Informative
Notes
👨🏫 What IS Informative Writing?
Informative writing teaches the reader something new. Your job is to explain a topic clearly using facts and details — without telling the reader what to think.
The Reporter's Rule
An informative writer answers: "What is this?" and "How does it work?"
An opinion writer answers: "What do I think about this?" and "Why should you agree with me?"
Think of it this way: if a stranger read your essay, they should learn facts — not know your feelings.
👨🏫 Informative Essay Structure
The building blocks of an informative paragraph
1. Topic Sentence
Introduces your topic in a clear, neutral way. No opinions here!
2. Evidence & Details
Facts, examples, and explanations that teach the reader about your topic.
3. Concluding Sentence
Wraps up the paragraph by restating the main idea in a new way.
This is the same structure you'll use on the SBA writing section.
⭐ Model Paragraph
How Do Hurricanes Form?
Informative Model
Hurricanes are powerful tropical storms that form over warm ocean water. When ocean water reaches at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit, warm, moist air rises quickly and creates an area of low pressure beneath it. Surrounding air rushes in to fill the gap, and as the warm air continues to rise and cool, it forms thick clouds and thunderstorms. The rotation of the Earth causes these storms to spin, and when wind speeds reach 74 miles per hour, the storm is officially called a hurricane. Understanding how hurricanes form helps scientists predict when and where these dangerous storms might strike.
💡 Click the buttons to see each part of the essay structure
👨🏫 Label the Parts
What makes this paragraph informative?
📌Topic Sentence
"Hurricanes are powerful tropical storms that form over warm ocean water."
Neutral — no opinions. Just tells the reader what the paragraph is about.
📊Evidence & Details
80°F water, warm air rises, low pressure, Earth's rotation, 74 mph winds
Specific facts and a step-by-step process. The reader learns something.
🔚Conclusion
"Understanding how hurricanes form helps scientists predict…"
Restates the topic in a new way — still no opinions!
✅ Opinion or Informative?
Read each sentence. Decide which type it is.
"Wolves are the most amazing animals in the world."
⚖️ Opinion! "Most amazing" is a judgment. A reporter wouldn't say that.
"Gray wolves can run up to 40 miles per hour."
📰 Informative! This is a specific, measurable fact.
"Everyone should learn about volcanoes because they're so cool."
⚖️ Opinion! "Should" and "so cool" are opinion moves.
"Volcanoes form when hot rock from deep inside Earth pushes through the surface."
📰 Informative! Explains how something works with neutral language.
🔍 Side by Side: One More Time
Same topic — two different styles
⚖️ Opinion Paragraph
Salmon are the most incredible fish in the Pacific Northwest. I believe everyone should care about protecting them because they are so important. Salmon should be the number one priority for every community near a river.
📰 Informative Paragraph
Salmon play a key role in the ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. Each year, millions of salmon swim upstream to spawn in the rivers where they were born. Their bodies provide nutrients for bears, eagles, and even the forests along the riverbanks.
💡 Click buttons to highlight the clues, or use J/K keys
📓 Informative Essay Structure
Write this in your notebook!
Key Words
Topic Sentence
Evidence
Conclusion
Notes
Informative Paragraph Structure:
1. Topic Sentence — Introduce the topic with neutral language
2. Evidence & Details — Facts, examples, explanations
3. Concluding Sentence — Restate the main idea in a new way
Remember: No "should," "best," or "I believe" — just the facts!
1. Topic Sentence — Introduce the topic with neutral language
2. Evidence & Details — Facts, examples, explanations
3. Concluding Sentence — Restate the main idea in a new way
Remember: No "should," "best," or "I believe" — just the facts!
🔄 Bridge: Let's Practice Together
What we just learned:
Informative writing explains a topic using facts and neutral language. It has a topic sentence, evidence, and a conclusion.
Next up:
We'll read an informative passage together and find each part.
👥 How Animals Survive Winter
Read this passage together — Part 1
📄Informative Passage
When temperatures drop and food becomes scarce, animals must find ways to survive the harsh winter months. Different species have developed unique strategies to make it through this difficult season. Some animals, like bears and ground squirrels, survive by hibernating. During hibernation, an animal's heart rate and body temperature drop dramatically, allowing it to live off stored body fat for months without eating.
📖 Follow along as we read out loud
👥 How Animals Survive Winter
Read this passage together — Part 2
📄Informative Passage (continued)
Other animals migrate, or travel long distances, to find warmer climates and better food sources. For example, many bird species fly thousands of miles south each fall and return in the spring. A third strategy is adaptation — animals like the Arctic fox grow thicker fur and change color to blend in with the snow. Each of these survival methods shows how animals have evolved over time to handle even the coldest conditions.
📖 Follow along as we read out loud
👥 Topic & Organization
Let's break down the passage together
📌What's the Topic?
What is this passage mainly about?
How animals survive winter. The topic sentence tells us right away: "animals must find ways to survive the harsh winter months."
📋How Is It Organized?
How does the author present the information?
Three strategies in order: 1) Hibernation, 2) Migration, 3) Adaptation. Each gets its own section with facts and examples.
Notice: the author never says which strategy is "best." That would make it opinion. This is pure informative writing.
👥 Find the Facts
What evidence did the author use?
🐻Hibernation
Heart rate and body temperature drop. Animals live off stored body fat for months.
Examples: bears, ground squirrels
🦅Migration
Travel long distances to find warmer climates. Birds fly thousands of miles south each fall.
Examples: many bird species
🦊Adaptation
Grow thicker fur, change color to blend in with snow.
Examples: Arctic fox
Each fact is specific evidence — not vague statements like "animals do cool things."
💬 Turn & Talk
🤔Discuss with a Partner
What makes the "How Animals Survive Winter" passage informative instead of opinion? Think about the language and the evidence the author used.
Sentence starter: "I know this is informative because the author uses ___ instead of ___."
🎯 SBA Spotlight
Genre Identification — Multiple Choice
A student is writing about how hurricanes form. Which sentence would be BEST for an informative introduction?
A"Hurricanes are the scariest storms in the world."
❌ Trap! "Scariest" is an opinion word. A reporter wouldn't say this.
B"Everyone should know about hurricanes because they can hit anywhere."
❌ Trap! "Everyone should" is an opinion move — it tells the reader what to do.
C"Hurricanes are large tropical storms that form over warm ocean water and bring heavy wind and rain."
✅ Correct! This is neutral, factual, and introduces the topic clearly. Pure reporter style.
D"I think hurricanes should be studied more by scientists."
❌ Trap! "I think" and "should" are opinion signals. This belongs in an opinion essay.
👨🏫 Why C Is the Best Choice
Breaking down the SBA answer
✅What C Does Right
Uses neutral language. No "scariest," no "should," no "I think."
States facts. "Large tropical storms," "warm ocean water," "heavy wind and rain" — all verifiable.
Introduces the topic clearly. The reader knows exactly what the essay will explain.
⚠️What A, B, D Got Wrong
A: "Scariest" = personal judgment
B: "Everyone should" = telling the reader what to do
D: "I think" + "should" = double opinion
On the SBA, even ONE opinion word in an informative intro can cost you points.
📓 Genre ID Strategy
Write this in your notebook!
Key Words
Genre ID
SBA Trick
Notes
How to spot the correct informative answer on the SBA:
1. Cross out any answer with opinion words (should, best, I think, I believe)
2. Cross out anything that sounds like the writer is trying to convince you
3. The right answer will state facts in neutral language
4. It should clearly introduce the topic without picking a side
1. Cross out any answer with opinion words (should, best, I think, I believe)
2. Cross out anything that sounds like the writer is trying to convince you
3. The right answer will state facts in neutral language
4. It should clearly introduce the topic without picking a side
✏️ Write Your Own Informative Paragraph
You Try — Reporter Mode!
Your Turn
- Pick a topic you know something about (see next slide for ideas).
- Write a topic sentence that introduces the topic with neutral language.
- Add 2-3 facts or details (evidence) that explain or teach.
- End with a concluding sentence that restates the main idea.
- Check: Did you avoid opinion words? Read it like a reporter!
✏️ Topic Ideas & Planning
Pick one — or choose your own!
🐺
How Wolves Live in Packs
Alpha pairs, hunting together, pup-rearing
🏔️
How the Seasons Change
Earth's tilt, longer/shorter days, temperature shifts
🎣
How Salmon Spawn
Upstream journey, laying eggs, life cycle
Planning tip: Before writing, jot down 2-3 facts you know about your topic. Those become your evidence.
✏️ Short Constructed Response
SBA-Style Writing Task
📝Writing Prompt
Using details from the "How Animals Survive Winter" passage, explain TWO different ways animals survive winter. Write 3-4 sentences in informative style (no opinions).
Checklist before you turn it in:
☐ Does your first sentence introduce the topic?
☐ Did you name TWO survival strategies?
☐ Did you include specific facts from the passage?
☐ Did you use neutral language — no "should," "best," or "I think"?
📓 Summary Note
Write 1 Sentence
In the bottom of your notebook page, write one sentence explaining what you learned today about informative writing.
Example: "Today I learned that informative writing explains a topic using facts and neutral language, without giving opinions."
🔄 Tomorrow & Beyond
What's next in our SBA prep journey
📅Tomorrow — Day 10
Multi-Source Informative Writing
You'll read TWO passages about the same topic and combine information from both into one informative paragraph.
💪Good News
Informative writing uses many of the same moves as opinion writing:
✅ Topic sentences
✅ Evidence and details
✅ Concluding sentences
✅ Organized paragraphs
New style, not new skill. You've got this!
🎫 Exit Ticket
Show what you know — 4 questions!
1️⃣Genre ID
Which sentence is informative?
"Snakes are cold-blooded reptiles that regulate their body temperature using their environment."
"Snakes are the creepiest animals alive."
The first sentence — it uses neutral language and states a fact. "Creepiest" is an opinion.
2️⃣Essay Parts
Name the 3 parts of an informative paragraph in order.
1. Topic Sentence
2. Evidence & Details
3. Concluding Sentence
3️⃣Fix It
Rewrite this opinion sentence as an informative sentence:
"I think eagles are the best birds because they're so powerful."
Example: "Bald eagles are large birds of prey known for their strong talons and sharp eyesight." (Facts, no opinion words)
4️⃣🔄 Spiral Review
In an opinion essay, what do you call the sentence that states your position? (Hint: we learned this last week)
Claim (or thesis statement). It tells the reader what you believe and what you'll argue for.