Informative Essay Basics
What is the main purpose of an informative essay?
To inform or explain a topic.
What is a thesis statement?
The main idea or focus of the essay.
What does MLA stand for?
Modern Language Association
What type of tone should an informative essay have?
Formal and objective
What point of view are narrative essays usually written in?
First person (Me, Myself, and I).
True or False — An informative essay should include your personal opinion.
False
Where is the thesis statement usually found?
At the end of the introduction.
What size font and spacing does MLA format use?
12-point font, double-spaced
Choose the sentence that sounds more informative:
A) “I think recycling is super cool!”
B) “Recycling helps reduce waste and conserve resources.”
B
What is the main conflict or problem in your novel?
Answers Vary
What are the three main parts of an essay?
Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
Which thesis is better for an informative essay?
A) “Pollution is bad for the planet.”
B) “Pollution affects the environment, human health, and wildlife.”
B— because it clearly explains what the essay will discuss
Where should the page number go in an MLA paper?
Top right corner, with the writer’s last name and page number.
Why should you avoid using “I” or “you” in an informative essay?
Because it makes the writing sound too personal.
What type of evidence should you use in an argumentative essay?
Facts, statistics, examples, and quotes from reliable sources.
What is the difference between an informative essay and a persuasive essay?
An informative essay explains or informs the reader about a topic using facts, while a persuasive essay tries to convince the reader to agree with an opinion.
Why should a thesis be specific?
So readers know exactly what information will be covered
What should be included in the top-left corner of the first page (the heading)?
Student’s name, instructor’s name, course name, and date.
True or False — It’s okay to include your opinion if you add facts afterward.
False
True or False — It’s okay to use emotional language in an argumentative essay instead of facts.
False
Which of the following would make the best topic for an informative essay?
A) Why pizza is the best food ever
B) The history of pizza and how it became popular worldwide
B — because it provides factual information instead of personal opinion.
Why is it important for a thesis statement to be specific and not too general?
A specific thesis gives the essay a clear direction and helps readers understand exactly what information will be explained or discussed.
How should a book be listed on a Works Cited page?
Last name, First name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
How would you rewrite this sentence to make it more formal:
“Lots of people don’t really care about climate change.”
Example: “Many people are unaware of the impacts of climate change.”
What is the name and edition of our textbook?
Bullock, Richard, et al. The Norton Field Guide to Writing. Norton, 2026 7th
edition