Informational text
Informational text is a type of nonfiction writing designed to convey knowledge about various aspects of the world, including the natural and social realms. Unlike biographies or how-to guides, which serve different purposes, informational texts focus on educating the reader about specific topics. This genre encompasses a wide range of materials such as reference books, news articles, scientific journals, and textbooks, all of which often employ technical vocabulary to enhance understanding. Informational texts typically include special features like tables of contents, glossaries, and visual aids such as graphs and illustrations, which support comprehension and engagement.
People of all ages can benefit from informational text, as it equips them with essential knowledge and skills necessary for success in school, the workplace, and everyday life. To foster information literacy, educators are encouraged to introduce students to informational texts early in their education, utilizing methods such as read-aloud sessions to increase familiarity and interest. Overall, understanding informational text is a crucial skill that supports lifelong learning and informed citizenship.
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Informational text
Informational text is writing that conveys information about the world. The information can include aspects of the natural or social world. Such writing informs or instructs the reader and often includes special features. Informational text is a form of nonfiction, but not all nonfiction is informational text. For example, biographies and how-to guides are not generally considered informational texts. People of all ages, including young children and adults, can find value in informational text, as it allows them to be successful in many aspects of life.
Overview
Informational text informs the reader about a particular topic. This type of writing teaches readers about the world around them. Informational text usually discusses a topic in a generalized way. Both skillful and non-skillful readers can find informational text on nearly any topic. Examples of informational texts include reference texts, question-and-answer books, and cause-and-effect books. Informational texts can also include news articles, scientific journals, and textbooks. Informational text usually employs technical vocabulary. The sentence “A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth” is an example of a sentence that could be found in informational text. Special features often accompany informational text, including a table of contents, an index, a glossary, embedded definitions for specialized vocabulary, bold or italicized text, photos or illustrations, captions or labels, and graphs or charts. Informational text is not only found in printed material; it is also available on the Internet as well.
One may assume that all nonfiction is considered informational text; however, this is not true. Certain forms of nonfiction do not fall under the informational text category. For example, a biography is not considered informational text because it conveys information about someone’s life and does not inform the reader about a specific topic. Furthermore, a how-to guide tells the reader how to perform a particular task but does not actually convey information about a topic. In this sense, informational text can be thought of as a subset of the nonfiction genre.
The ability to comprehend informational text is important for young people and adults. Students of all ages must understand informational text to succeed in school and guarantee proper development. Adults must understand informational text to succeed in the workplace and society. To ensure success in these areas, children should be exposed to informational text at an early age. Grade-school teachers should include informational text in the classroom to familiarize children with its characteristics while developing information literacy. One way teachers can incorporate informational text in the classroom is to read it aloud to students. This activity increases the likelihood that students will read informational text on their own.
Bibliography
"The Case for Informational Text." Educational Leadership, ASCD, 1 Mar. 2004, www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar04/vol61/num06/The-Case-for-Informational-Text.aspx. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
"Common Core: The Fuss over Non-Fiction." TeachersFirst, www.teachersfirst.com/exclusives/moreless/librarian/fuss/q2.cfm. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
"Informational Text: Or How Thin Can You Slice the Salami." Shanahan On Literacy, 3 Oct. 2012, www.shanahanonliteracy.com/blog/informational-text-or-how-thin-can-you-slice-the-salami. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
"What is Informational Text?" The University of Maine, umaine.edu/edhd/research-outreach/lifespan-literacy-community/programs/correll-book-award/what-is-informational-text. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
Wise, Crystal N., and Nell K. Duke. "Using and Creating Informational Texts at Home." NAEYC, www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/using-informational-texts. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.