Basics of Informative Writing
What is the main purpose of informative writing?
To explain or teach facts and ideas clearly so the reader learns something.
What does "feudal" describe in medieval society?
It describes the social system where kings or lords gave protection to serfs and freemen in exchange for service and loyalty.
What was the main purpose of a castle in the Middle Ages?
To protect the people inside and to show the power of a lord and lady.
What does the suffix -er mean?
The suffix -er most often means "one who" or "something that" performs an action.
Name three features you should include in an informative paragraph.
A clear topic sentence, supporting facts or examples, and a concluding or transition sentence.
What was a "manor"?
A large estate where a lord lived that included farmland, villages, and buildings supporting daily life.
Name a major job that the monks in the Middle Ages performed.
They copied rare books in the scriptorium.
What does the prefix mis- mean?
The prefix mis- means "wrong" or "badly".
What is a topic sentence and where does it usually go in a paragraph?
A sentence that states the paragraph’s topic or main idea; it usually goes at the beginning.
Who was a "serf" and what did they usually do?
A serf was a worker bound to the land who farmed the fields and performed labor for the manor.
Which group did apprentices usually train with in the Middle Ages?
artisans or master craftsmen
What does the suffix -est mean?
-est is used to show the superlative form of an adjective (the most).
Why is it important to use reliable (trustworthy) sources when writing an informational piece?
Reliable sources ensure your facts are accurate and trustworthy.
What did a "tailor" make or repair?
A tailor made and repaired or hemmed clothing in the Middle Ages.
Name 3 things a lord, lady, or their children learned in the Middle Ages.
Learned to read and write
Learned to ride a horse
Learned to fight with a sword
Learned to dance
Learned to play and instrument
Learned to embroider
What does the suffix -ion mean and what is its part of speech?
-ion means "the act or process of," turning the word into a noun.
How can transitional words (like "first," "however," or "for example") help your informative writing?
They connect ideas, show order or contrast, and help the reader follow the information.
What is a "guild" and why did craftsmen join one?
A guild was a group of skilled workers who trained apprentices, set quality standards, and protected members’ rights.
What possibly killed one-third of the population during the Middle Ages ~ 1347–1351 CE?
The plague or the Black Death
What does the word approximately mean, and what is its part of speech?
approximately, adverb: close to a correct or exact amount.