Informative-Explanatory Essay Writing Guide

FOURTH GRADE HOW TO ESSAY

W.4.1 Write informative, explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Focus: What to do: How to do it:

Plan and Organize Explain State what activity, Write at 3 least thesis statements.
how to do procedure, or project Choose one.
something you are going to Save the others for the conclusion
explain.
Materials Make a list of all the Use a T-Chart graphic organizer to
materials, supplies, or record materials and steps.
ingredients needed

Steps Number the steps
needed. Explain each
step in detail.

Introduction Write the first 1. Start with a hook.
Paragraph paragraph introducing 2. End with a thesis statement
#1 your procedure.

Materials Write a paragraph Introduce material list with a topic
Paragraph that tells what sentence.
materials are needed.
Write #2

Body Write a paragraph for Use headers (ie. Step 1, Step 2,)
Paragraphs each step. Use linking words and phrases to
introduce steps
#3 - ?

Finish Conclusion Write the concluding Restate your thesis.
Last paragraph summarizing
the procedure, Use a checklist to check for:
paragraph process, or activity.  Content (Materials and Steps)
Make needed changes  Organization (introduction,
Revise, to rough draft and
Edit, write final draft. body, and conclusion)
Proofread,  CUPS (capitalization, grammar,
and Publish
punctuation, and spelling.

PLAN AND ORGANIZE: MAKE A GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

USE A T-CHART TO PLAN AND ORGANIZE YOUR IDEAS

“HOW TO” WRITING GIVES INSTRUCTIONS AND EXPLAINS HOW TO DO SOMETHING

Start with a THESIS STATEMENT (see next page for more information):

INGREDIENTS, MATERIALS, DETAILS

OR SUPPLIES Fully explain each step

Be specific about the size, quantity, Evidence:
and/or type of materials you need:  In the article, “___,” the author says _______.
 You will need the following  “________,” according to ______________.
 __author_____ writes, “__________________.”
before you begin.

 Gather the following _____________ Examples:
before you start.  For example, ______________.
 One way to do this is__________.
 Get the following _____________  You do this by _____________________.
together before you start.  You could ________________.
 The best way to do this is ___________________.
 You will need the following  ___________ should ______________________.
things:

 To _______, you will need a few

supplies. Explanations:
 Before you begin you’ll need ____  This means that __________.
 This is important because ___________.
 Now that you have the  Be careful with ___________________.
materials, let’s get started.  You’ll need to _________________.
 Keep in mind _______________________.
STEPS  You do this so _________.
 Don’t forget to _____; Remember to ______.
Methods, procedures, or guidelines  You might want to ______________.
 Tip: ______________________
Step 1:

Step 2: Experience:
Step 3:  Once I ___________.
 When I _______________,
 I experienced this when ____________________.
 I recommend ____________.

Steps 4, 5, 6… Expert opinion:
 According to ________, ________________.
 ___Expert___ explains _________.
 ____Expert_______ found that _______________.

WRITE: THE INTRODUCTION

Start with a hook and end with a thesis statement.

Sentence #1 Sentence #2
The “HOOK” The Thesis Statement

Ask a question (or 2): Add a THESIS STATEMENT.

 Have you ever wondered ____? Tell what you explaining.
 What’s the best way to ______? You may want to add why it’s important to do this project,
 Do you need a good idea for procedure, or activity.

______? 1. Read the prompt carefully. Make sure your thesis
 ________ is really complicated, statement answers the prompt’s question.

right? No! 2. Brainstorm and make a list of different ways to
 What is better than ____? word your thesis statement:

Or make a bold statement: Tell what you explaining.
 This is how you __________________.
 Some people think that….  Here’s how you _________________________.
 ____ should/shouldn’t ______  It’s easy/rewarding/fun,/satisfying/ to ________ if you
 Imagine _____________________ follow these steps.
__________ are popular, but they  You can easily _______________, if you follow these steps.
can be expensive.  You can ____create/be safe______ by following these
 __________ is beautiful and easy steps
 It’s important to follow these steps to be
to do. safe/create/in the event of _______.
 _______________ is the best.  Following these steps, you can __________________.
 _____ can help you _______.  If you follow these steps, you can _______.
 I love to _____. It’s my favorite  Although _____________, follow these steps and ________.
 A ________ is easy to make/do. Just follow these simple
thing to do! instructions.
 If you want to try something
Save your list of thesis statements; you may be able to use
new, try _____. one of them in your body and concluding paragraph when
you need to restate your opinion.

EXAMPLES: HOOK + THESIS STATEMENT

Washing the car on a sizzling summer day is a great way to earn extra money. Do you know how
to wash the car so that it looks like a million dollars? Here’s how you do it.

Do you need a fabulous present for a friend? A clay elephant is easy to create. Just follow
these simple instructions.

WRITE: THE BODY PARAGRAPH

Use TEXT FEATURES to bring attention to important information
and LINKING WORDS to introduce new steps and information.

TEXT FEATURES

Side Bars or
Text Boxes

Numbered
Steps:
1.
2.
3.

Underlining

STEP 1:

LINKING WORDS AND Linking words help your reader move from one step to the next.
PHRASES FOR INSTRUCTIONS Use linking words and phrases to introduce each new step.

The first step is First, To start, To begin with
The second step Then, Next Immediately after you…,
The next step After, As you…, While you’re waiting…,
Now it’s time to Finally, Later, When you’re done…,
The last step Last, At last, Now you’re ready to…

WRITING: THE CONCLUSION

End your essay in a way that leaves your reader thinking.

1. RESTATE 2. ENCOURAGE

Restate the thesis statement by telling Make a “Call to Action.”

the reader they’re done and/or what Tell your reader what you want them

they will have accomplished when to do after reading your essay.

they finish following all the steps.

 Go _________________.

 As you can see, it’s easy/anyone can  Give____________________ a try.

______________.  Think how _________________.

 Your _______ is done!  It’s easy/fun to _________if you

 Put your materials away and you’re _____________.

done! Wasn’t that easy?  Why not __________________?

 Now you have _______.  It’s time to ________________.

 Now you know how to _________.  Why don’t you ___________?

 ________ is simple/easy to learn.  Believe me, when you finish this

 That’s all you have to do to _________. project, you’ll want to ________.

 That’s how you ______________.  Now ________________.

 If you’ve follow these steps, you will  You will ______________.

_______________.  Why don’t talk to ______ about

 Remember, if you want to ______, ______.

just follow these steps.  Be sure to _____.

 It’s easy/fun/rewarding/important  Don’t forget to _______.

to _________________.

 It takes time to _________ but it’s

worth it.

EXAMPLES: RESTATE + ENCOURAGE

Now you have a beautiful, hand-drawn American flag! Put your flag in the front window
of your house for the Fourth of July, or put it in your bedroom to enjoy every day of the year.

Remember, if you want to stay safe in a thunderstorm, just follow these steps. Now
talk to your family and tell them what they need to do to stay safe when there is lightning.

Your fabulous elephant is done! Instead of giving the elephant to someone, you might
like it so much you want to keep it!

FINISH: REVISE, EDIT, PROOFREAD, AND PUBLISH

Use this check list to check your own essay or exchange papers
with a classmate and use it to check each other’s essays.

REVISE… Essay Part What to check for:
Something could be Introduction
made better. Body  Is there a hook?
Paragraphs  Is there a thesis statement?
 Reword  Is there a materials or
 Explain further Conclusion
 Rearrange paragraphs Organization supplies list?
 Regroup ideas CUPS  Are there steps that are in
 Add linking words or phrases
 Add/Delete sentences order?
 Is each step fully explained?
EDIT…  Are there linking words and
Something is wrong and
has to be fixed! phrases that introduce the
steps?
 Missing parts  Does the last paragraph
 Mistakes in CUPS summarize what was
 No paragraphing explained?
 Are ideas grouped into
PROOFREAD… paragraphs?
Take one last look for Are there any mistakes in:
mistakes in:  Capitalization
 Usage (grammar)
 Capitalization  Punctuation
 Grammar  Spelling
 Punctuation

 Spelling

PUBLISH…

 Make a “How To” booklet
 Create a slideshow
 Create a VOKU, Animoto or

WEVIDEO presentation
 Make a poster

WRITER’S NAME: CHECKER’S NAME:

_______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

THE ESSAY HAS… (check all that apply) CHECKER’S NOTES:

 An introduction What did you like? What advice do you have?
 Hook
 Thesis Statement

 What the reader needs to follow the
instructions
 List of materials, ingredients or
supplies

 Steps
 At least 3
 In order
 Fully explained

 Linking words and phrases

 A conclusion
 Summarizes what was explained
 Includes a “call to action”

 At least 3 text features such as:
 Illustrations
 Pictures
 Images
 Graphs
 Bullets
 Numbered steps
 Sidebar
 Caption
 Highlighting
 Bold Print
 Underlining
 Italics

Name Level: Advanced Proficient Approaching Below
Introduction
Body Proficient/Advanced Approaching Below

Conclusion Introduction has a Attempt made to write Introduction does not
Organization  Hook introduction that includes have a
CUPS  Thesis statement that  Hook  Hook
 Thesis statement that  Thesis statement that
tells what activity,
process, or procedure tells what activity, tells what activity,
will be discussed. process, or procedure process, or procedure
will be discussed. will be discussed.
 Advanced

The body… Attempt made to Writing does not
 Lists materials or  List materials or  List supplies or
supplies needed
supplies needed  Include 2 or more materials needed
 Includes 3 or more steps, in order.  Include steps, in order.
 Explain each step with  Explain steps
steps, in order. 1-2 solid details  Include text features
 Explains each step  Include text features  Use linking words and
 Use linking words and
with 2-3 solid details phrases to introduce phrases to introduce
 Includes 2 text steps steps.

features
 Uses linking words

and phrases to
introduce steps

 Advanced

The conclusion Attempt made to Writing does not
 Summarizes what has  Summarize what has  Have a conclusion

been explained. been explained.
 Includes a “call to  Include a “call to

action” action”
 Advanced

The essay Attempt made to The essay does not
 Uses paragraphing to  Use paragraphing to  Use paragraphing to
group ideas
 Advanced group ideas. group ideas.

Fourth grade level Some problems with Numerous problems with
 Capitalization  Capitalization  Capitalization
 Usage (grammar)  Usage (grammar)  Usage (grammar)
 Punctuation  Punctuation  Punctuation
 Spelling  Spelling  Spelling
 Advanced