INFORMATIVE ESSAY

M.W. Kunene
2021
What is it?
 A piece of factual writing that;
 Defines what something is – by describing it
 Explains how something is done or how it works
– by outlining the process
 Discusses the causes and effects (or problems
and solutions) of something – by describing how
something occurs and pointing out its inherent
results
 Compares and contrasts ideas – by analysing the
pros and the cons in a given scenario
Purpose
 Informs / educates the reader about what
something – using facts, not opinions
 This can be done in 4 ways;

1. defining and describing a concept

2. explaining and describing a process
3. discussing causes and effects
4. analysing by comparison and contrast
Let’s write
PART 1: Defining a concept
When to use it?
 When defining a topic
 Example: Social media

 Here, you have to define what social media is,

the describe the various social media platforms,
explain how these platforms work, etc
Defining a concept: what?
 The introduction aims at answering what your
essay is about; be simple and clear

 Example: Project mammoth

 Of all the incredible possibilities presented by

controversial new scientific techniques,
perhaps the most intriguing are efforts to
bring animals back from extinction.
Development: who, why?
 Scientists working on such projects estimate
that a variation of the first new woolly
mammoth (which disappeared some 4000 years
ago) may soon be born.

 They hope these animals will play a role in

slowing or reversing the effect of climate change.
Development: how?

 The basic idea behind how it would work is that

scientists would first retrieve DNA from the
remains of a woolly mammoth that had been
preserved for centuries in the frozen tundra and
use that to alter the DNA of modern Asian
elephants.
Conclusion: final thoughts?

 The project is not without its critics who claim

the idea is no more than a gimmick, seducing
scientists into thinking they are saving the world
and distracting us from guaranteeing our
planet’s biodiversity for future generations with
promises of being able to fix mistakes later.
PART 2: Describing a process
Purpose
 Informs / educates the reader about how
something is done or how it occurs – by
explaining and outlining the stages of the
process
 Shows a step-by-step analysis of how things
work.
 The entire process is divided into stages, which
are specified in sequential order.
Two types of process analysis essays

Directional Informational
 Explains how  Explains how
something is done something works

 Example  Example
 How to bake a cake  How aeroplanes fly
 How to prepare for an  How the brain works
examination
Example: Rooibos
 Introduction
 Rooibos tea is a herbal tea made from an
indigenous plant with a characteristic red brown
colour, hence its name rooibos (red bush). The
planting and harvesting of the tea is a
meticulous process.
Planting
 Planting takes place in February and March,
when the seeds are sown in seed beds. The land
is cultivated and fertilized in April and May after
the first winter rains. In June and July the
seedlings are planted out in rows one metre
apart.
Harvesting
 Harvesting is done when needle-like leaves and
stems appear, which can be done after 18
months of growth. The green leaves and twigs
are finely broken up and collected into mounds.
Processing
 In making traditional red rooibos tea, the
mounds are allowed to ferment, which brings
out the flavour and gives the tea its red colour.
The tea is sterilized by steam and then dried
before being sifted and packed.
Uniqueness
 Why is rooibos tea so unique? It has a red colour
and a sweet nutty flavour. It has no caffeine,
colourants, additives or preservatives and little
tannin. It is rich in antioxidants, calcium and
iron and produced in no other country except
South Africa. It is then internationally marketed
to over 30 countries.
Conclusion
 What about the future? The Rooibos industry is
very important economically because it provides
work for thousands of people in poor and rural
areas. However, sustainable harvesting and
replanting programmes are to be followed and
care needs to be taken that the soil is not
degraded.
Discursive expository
What is it?
 A discursive essay you are expected to be
neutral, objective and explore all sides of an
issue
Discursive versus persuasive essay
Discursive
 Writer remains neutral and
detached from the topic
(objective)
 All sides of the argument
are treated equally
(unbiased)
 Points are listed
sequentially with the most
important points first
 Uses information to inform
the reader of all the relevant
issues
Persuasive
 Writer’s personality, stand
emotions and opinions are
evident (subjective)
 All sides of the argument are
looked at, but one side is
favoured more than others
(bias)
 Points are structured logically
to build up a ‘line of argument’
 Uses information and
persuasive language to
persuade the reader of the
writer’s opinion
The role of marriage in today’s society [1]

 If there is one thing that virtually all the

world’s cultures have in common, it is
marriage. Beliefs, diet and languages vary
greatly, but the desire people have to share
their lives with another seems universal.
Why, then, is marriage so popular?
The role of marriage in today’s society [2]

 Psychologists have said that people have a

deep need for the emotional security which
marriage provide. Knowing that one has a
partner in life makes it easier to cope with
the problems of daily life. On the other
hand, the fact that many single people are
content to live alone suggests that the
“emotional need” theory is incomplete.
The role of marriage in today’s society [3]

 British novelist Fay Weldon once stated, “Marriage

has nothing to do with emotion and everything to
do with property.” According to the supporters of
this view, people marry in order to increase their
wealth, either by marrying a rich partner or
because, as the saying goes, “two can live cheaply
as one.” It is true that financial considerations are
often the primary reason that people marry.
However, there are countless examples of people
“marrying for love”, regardless of their mate’s lack
of money.
The role of marriage in today’s society [4]

 All in all, marriage continues to be extremely

popular in many societies. Most of us have a
need for love and support and want to have
children at some point in our lives. Fully
understanding the reason why people marry,
though, may be as difficult as understanding the
human mind itself.
Another example

TAKE 2
MOBILE PHONES: Should they be banned
in public places? [P1]

 Society has mixed feelings about the use of

mobile phones in public places like restaurants
and cinemas. Whereas they were almost
unknown twenty years ago, these days they are
part of everyone’s life, and the world would now
feel a strange place without them.
MOBILE PHONES: Should they be banned in
public places? [P2]

 One of the strongest arguments in favour of banning

mobile phones is the annoyance they cause other
people. Although audiences are always asked to turn
off their mobiles when they go to the cinema, you
can be sure that the film you are watching will be
interrupted by the sound of at least five ringing
tones! What is more? Many people insist on
continuing their conversation, even though
hundreds of people can hear them! For this reason
many people would welcome a ban on mobile
phones in places where they might irritate others.
MOBILE PHONES: Should they be banned in
public places? [P3]

 On the other hand, there are a number of arguments

against such a ban. It is really difficult to stop users
bringing their mobile phones into public places, and
therefore it would be virtually impossible to enforce
any ban. Some would see this as an infringement of
their rights, while other people would say they need
them in case of an emergency. And despite being
asked to turn their mobile phones off, some people
insist on leaving them on, or simply forget to silence
them. Perhaps the most important point is that, in
spite of all the disadvantages, many people these
days simply feel that they are not able of living
without their mobile.
MOBILE PHONES: Should they be banned in
public places? [P4]

 It seems to me that a ban on mobile phones

would be pointless. A way round any ban will
always be found. Nevertheless, their use should
be discouraged in places like restaurants, unless
it is absolutely necessary. People should be
made aware that it is very bad manners to use
them at certain times. However, there will
always be someone who thinks their call is much
more important than other people’s peace and
quiet!
Persuasive essay
Discursive versus persuasive essay
Discursive
 Writer remains neutral and
detached from the topic
(objective)
 All sides of the argument
are treated equally
(unbiased)
 Points are listed
sequentially with the most
important points first
 Uses information to inform
the reader of all the relevant
issues
Persuasive
 Writer’s personality, stand
emotions and opinions are
evident (subjective)
 All sides of the argument are
looked at, but one side is
favoured more than others
(bias)
 Points are structured logically
to build up a ‘line of argument’
 Uses information and
persuasive language to
persuade the reader of the
writer’s opinion
The school uniform question [1]

 Should public school students be allowed to

make individual decisions about clothing, or
should all students be required to wear a
uniform? The issue of school uniform has
become a subject of much heated debate,
and this essay aims to prove why we need
school uniform.
The school uniform question [2]

 First and foremost, it goes without saying that

wearing school uniforms makes students’ lives
simpler. They do not have to crack their skulls
trying to decide what to wear every morning.
With mandatory school uniforms for example,
I always know what to wear to school
everyday. Indeed, uniforms do not only save
time but also eliminate the stress often
associated with this chore.
The school uniform question [3]

 Furthermore, school uniforms bring the social

classes together. Not all students are privileged.
Mandatory school uniforms help make all the
students look and feel equal regardless of their
financial status or social class. Everyone blends
together as one. Mandatory school uniforms,
therefore, bridge the gap between socio-economic
classes, promote pride and raise the self-esteem of
students who cannot afford to wear stylish
clothing.
The school uniform question [4]

 However, opponents of mandatory uniforms

erroneously claim that students who wear school
uniforms cannot express their individuality. The
reality is that school uniforms are worn only
during school hours. Students can express their
individuality in the way they dress outside of the
classroom: for example, after school, on weekends
and even during school holidays. The truth is that
school uniforms are ideal since school is a place to
learn, not to flaunt wealth and fashion.
The school uniform question [5]

 In conclusion, school uniforms are not just a

matter of preference, but a necessity in public
schools in order to benefit both the students and
society as a whole. To reject uniforms would be
tantamount to inviting chaos in schools. Is that
what the society wants? Definitely not!
End - thank you