How to Write an Informative Essay

An informative essay serves as a valuable tool in the realm of academic writing that seeks to educate the audience about a particular topic. Informative writing focuses more on answering the question of a given topic and hence should be detailed, based on facts and unbiased information, and supported by scientific data where applicable. Mastering the art of constructing a proper informative essay is essential irrespective of your academic background. The writer’s goal in this type of academic writing is to give the reader a better understanding of the topic and, thus, should not include personal experiences or opinions. The use of terms relevant to the subject is essential to offer depth and bring out the meaning. In this guide, we seek to equip the reader with significant insights into the introduction, structure, and conclusion of an impactful essay.

Commencing and writing an informative essay

Step 1:Select a topic

The first step on how to start an informative essay is to select the topic. The topic should be of interest to you and the intended reader. It is important that you as the writer, can gather enough information to back up the topic. Proper research and brainstorming should follow. Subsequently, the writer should gather and organize all the evidence and facts before rushing to write an informative essay. This will allow the writer to keep notes of relevant sources and make a plan to aid in writing an impactful essay.

 

 

Step 2: Build a clear Outline

Once done with research and brainstorming, you write an essay outline The purpose of the outline of an informative essay is appropriate planning of your research and thoughts. An outline for an informative essay should have three parts; the introduction, the body structure which consists of the introductory paragraph and two or more paragraphs depending on how extensive the topic is, and the conclusion. The writer may also preempt answers to possible questions and queries that may emerge from the reader. These sections may state what you will discuss in the parts of the essay. This planned approach guarantees a comprehensible informative essay.

Step 3:Contemplate the possibility of Reader Questions

The outline for an informative essay should contain preemptive answers to the most likely queries a reader might have about the topic. This not only adds deep insight to the essay but also exhibits a broad understanding of the subject. For example, in an informative essay relating to writing a nursing dissertation, you may wish to address common inquiries, like, how do I choose a topic for nursing research? How do you write a research proposal for nursing? How do you structure a proposal for a nursing research paper?

 

You can also read How To Write An Argumentative Essay as you learn how to write an informative essay.

 

Step 4: Informative essay introduction

The introduction for an informative essay should be well-written as it serves as the gateway to the whole essay, it aims to attract the reader’s attention on their first read. It should give some background information about the topic. The introduction carries a thesis, which is a statement that carries the summary and focus of the essay.  A thesis statement should have information you can back up with evidence from your research. For example, if you are working on a topic on ‘the importance of mental health in our day-to-day life activities’, the thesis could be ‘Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social welfare. It also helps control how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices’.

In addition to the thesis, your introduction paragraph should also include some of the points you will discuss in the body paragraph to hook the reader and build up their curiosity to learn more as they progress with the reading.

 How to write an introduction paragraph?

The opening statement of an informative essay acts as an unraveling ground of the content the essay aims to reveal. It should present the selected topic with captivating background evidence to establish an informative foundation. For example, you could write, ‘In a society where we are losing people to suicide daily, it is important to familiarize ourselves with mental health issues, how to identify them, and when to seek help’.

You should also articulate the thesis statement within the introduction. Remember, this statement serves as the controlling force driving the essay to its original purpose. A strong thesis statement should express the main idea of the essay; it should be specific as possible, seeing as expressing several ideas may confuse the reader on the main topic of your essay.

 

Step 5:Slot in subheadings for Clarity

The use of subheadings strategically makes it easy for the reader to navigate through the essay. Therefore, subheadings are crucial in your content in essay writing. Subheadings divide the informative essay, thereby acting as a guide through the different sections relating to the selected picked topic. The subheadings you select should act as an introduction of what the succeeding paragraph is about. For example, if you intend to discuss the importance of mental health in effective running of day-to-day activities in a given paragraph, an ideal subheading would be ‘The significance of mental health in everyday life’ or simply ‘The importance of mental health’.

 

Step 6:Incorporate supportive Evidence in the Body paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an essay purpose to bring to life the selected topic. The body paragraph should be aimed at elaborating the thesis statement further. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence focusing on a specific section of the topic and backed up with relevant evidence and facts. The first body paragraph should focus more on the evidence, proven facts, and statistics. The second paragraph should go deeper to further explain facts written in the introduction, you can use the third paragraph for curious or exciting facts if any. You may also seek to further expand on the facts you may not have exhausted within the preceding paragraphs. Using illustrations to elaborate the details is also crucial as it enhances understanding of the topic by conveying relevant information a simplified manner. An informative essay aims to inform and not to persuade the reader, it should be precise and transparent.

 

Step 7:Create smooth Paragraph transitions

The skill of flawlessly transitioning to the next paragraph in between the essay is significant in informative essay writing. The introduction of an informative essay should create a basis for a smooth transition to ensure there is a correct flow of thoughts and ideas. Each paragraph that comes after should aim at building up on the groundwork laid in the introduction to progressively unveil a new level of understanding. The segments should go into detail, and should not be off-topic.

Besides, enhancement of the body is an endless process in informative essay writing. As you immerse yourself deeper into essay writing, enhancing the body ensures a solid and fascinating primary impact as it is aimed at captivating the reader’s attention and crafting a distinct path to the core of the essay.

 

Step 8:Write an effective conclusion

A well-written conclusion briefly summarizes the main points of the essay as well as the thesis statement. The thesis statement serves as a summary and a reminder of the major points you have discussed. The conclusion should also give the reader a closing thought. Important to note is that you should not bring in new facts in this section. Rather, the conclusion should offer a synthesis of the main points discussed in the essay, and sum up the contents of the entire essay leaving the reader with something to think about.

 

Step 9:Citations

The final part of constructing an informative essay is writing a citations page. As highlighted in this guide, an informative essay is based on facts and evidence. It is a requirement to credit the sources you consulted to find this information to avoid issues of plagiarism. The format of your citations depends on the writing style used.  For instance, to cite in MLA, you have to refer to an MLA citation format guide. If you are required to cite in APA, you also need to find an APA citation and referencing guide, and apply the information as needed.

 

10.Edit and proofread Your Informative essay

After the completion of your first draft of your informative essay, give yourself a break. Return to it later and do a thorough reading. Assess the extent to which your evidence substantiates the information you have written. Ensure there is enough information for the reader to understand the topic fully. Analyze the flow of your paragraph and if they unfold effectively. Ensure you revise any sections that require refining. You should check and ensure that the thesis statement unites all the contents of your essay. Proofread your essay after editing for any spelling or grammatical errors.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the art of crafting an informative essay is a proficiency that stretches beyond academic contexts. Writing an informative essay is not an easy task; but by following the guidelines on how to write an informative essay, a writer can effectively converse complex ideas, creating an engagement with the audience. As we reach the climax of our exploration, we have learned how to structure a compelling and interesting ‘informative essay’, thereby internalizing the fundamental insights gathered in this article. Throughout this guide, we have explored the essential elements of crafting an effective informative essay, from understanding its purpose to creating a compelling introduction, developing a well-structured body, and constructing a thought-stimulating conclusion.

 

Example of an Informative Essay

(To help  you write  your own  essay, in this  example, we practically  show  you  what you need to  look into; so be  sure to read through the entire sample and our guidelines highlighted  under each section.

The first  issue that one needs to cover while writing an informative essay  is to identify a topic. In this sample informative essay, the topic is  on  behavioral problems  that impact  child development. This  topic  is succinctly introduced in the  introductory paragraph)

 

1.Introduction

Behavioral problems are among the most common developmental problems among children. They are symptoms of internal psychological and emotional problems caused by an array of factors such as health impairment, social challenges among others. The common behavioral problems in children include autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which is the focus of this research essay.  Children with behavioral problems experience challenges in education, social interactions, and future professional development (Hillman, 2018). As such, they are often at a disadvantage in comparison with children without these disorders. This calls for intervention in terms of therapy to assist these children to effectively cope with their behavioral problems. Child-play therapy involving the engagement of autistic children in play activities is one of the effective therapeutic interventions (Blalock, Lindo and Ray, 2019). This research essay focuses on children With ASD in the US and how play therapy helps to manage the condition. The essay is based on the argument that play intervention improves social competence and problematic behavior among children with ASD in the US.

 

(In the next paragraphs( 2.1,2.2), our  informative essay example progresses to look into key  definitions relating to the identified topic. If you are required to write an informative essay that is  long, say 1000 words or more,  you can  consider  including  this  section where you  can   define the  major concepts to make it easier for  the reader  to  follow through  the points in the main body of your essay.)

2.Definition of Terms and Concepts

2.1 Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is defined as a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that involves impaired social interaction, communication, and repetitive behavioral patterns (Hodges, Fealko and Soares, 2020). ASD is associated with a number of emotional, behavioral, cognitive and social challenges. For instance, children with the condition exhibit disruptive behavior that places them at the risk of stigmatization and exclusion. Further, research has shown that ASD impairs executive functioning leading to deficits in working memory, behavioral and emotional control (Bui, 2022). These deficits are seen to increase with age, becoming worse in adulthood.

2.2 Child Play Therapy

Play therapy is a tool used to assist autistic children to express their inner feelings and relate meaningfully with others (Patterson, Stutey and Dorsey, 2018). Children are involved in play activities that they choose or are comfortable with. A play therapist builds a relationship with the child through play and becomes part of their world to help them fully become themselves. In child play therapy, the child is the center of intervention determining the pace at which it takes place.

 

3.Background

Therapeutic interventions for children with ASD have been the focus of a wide scope of research. A number of scholars have attempted to examine the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions including play therapy on child problem behaviors (Blalock, Lindo and Ray, 2019). The insights of these studies have become crucial anchors of therapeutic practices regarding child problem behaviors. However, the attention paid to the use of play therapy in child therapy for ASD has begun recently. As such, the research is ongoing and this research essay contributes to the extant research to expand the body of knowledge concerning child-centered therapeutic interventions. Moreover, ASD is viewed as one of the most prevalent child behavior problems in the US with a prevalence rate of 1 in every 54 children being autistic (Autism Society, 2020). As such, therapeutic interventions such as play therapy need to be evaluated to determine how effective they can be in addressing the challenges of autistic children.

 

(The paragraphs 4.1-4.3 below are the  body paragraphs of our  informative essay example. As we have indicated in  our  guide, an informative essay  ought to have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In  writing your own essay, you have  to identify a key sub-topic for each  paragraph, and then  delve into it  to  expand on the issues relating to the topic. Remember,  the length of each paragraph will depend on the  overall  length of your informative essay. Longer essays will demand longer paragraphs, and/ or more subtopics. Shorter essay will  demand  fewer and shorter paragraphs.)

4.Effectiveness of Play Therapy

4.1 Social Interaction

A number of empirical studies show that play therapy helps to improve social interaction skills in children with ASD (Hillman, 2018 and Swan, Kaff and Haas, 2019). For instance, Hillman (2018) in their study to investigate how effective play therapy is among children with ASD, they found out that the intervention improves their social behavior. One of the externalizing behaviors of children with ASD is challenges in social interaction. When these children take part in play activities, they progressively learn to interact with others. Similarly, Schottelkorb, Swan and Ogawa (2020) found significant decreases in ASD symptoms such as problematic social behavior in a study involving 23 children diagnosed with ASD. Similar findings are presented by Hiles et al. (2018) who put cross that play-based therapy remarkably increases social cooperation among children with ASD. However, this finding is based on caregiver-child dyads where the pair is subjected to the play therapy. The purpose of the dyads is to replicate social interaction at the family level and evaluate how play influences the relationship between the autistic child and the caregiver. As such, from a broader perspective, play therapy improves the family functioning as social interactions become more meaningful.

Other studies are based on an integrated school-based play therapy programs and their effects on the social skills of children with ASD in the US. For instance, Müller and Donley (2019) demonstrate that play therapy enables children with ASD to make significant progress in their social skills. Autistic children often find it difficult to effectively participate in the learning activities due to various deficiencies such as antisocial behavior (Varley et al., 2019). Therefore, improved social skills through play therapy means that these children are likely to effectively participate in the classroom and progressively improve their learning. There is no adequate research evaluating play therapy school-based outcomes such as academic achievement, on-task behavioral patterns among other areas of outcomes. Existing studies that attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of play therapy in educational settings also do not account for variations in age, developmental levels, and socio-economic factors among others.

However, the above studies are based on small samples that do not permit the identification of mediating factors across groups and their differences. Longitudinal studies involving cross-cultural participation would be useful in showing the longer term impact of play therapy on autistic children social skills (Simmons, 2020). Moreover, most of these studies are experiments involving the child as the agent of change and the therapist as a facilitator. In such circumstances, children are not exposed to ordinary social interaction with other children groups, which is a crucial aspect of improving their social skills. However, this does not mean that play therapist-child interactions are inconsequential with regard to improvement of their social skills. Some studies show that the relationship between play therapist and children with ASD and its effect on improvement of social skills is mediated by trust (Kent et al., 2020). When autistic children develop trust in the play therapist, they become more open to meaningful interactions.

4.2 Social Communication

Other studies explore the impact of play therapy on social competence, which is a combination of social interaction and interpersonal communication skills. As Macmillan et al. (2021) explain, the children with ASD have lower social competence than their peers without ASD in the same developmental level. Therefore, they often become isolated from their peers in social settings leading to loneliness. Play therapy gives them an opportunity to community in ways that they feel comfortable including non-verbal communication (Dillman et al., 2019).  As they build a closer relationship with the therapist, they become more confident in expression of their feelings. That way, they become more active in social interactions, reducing boredom and loneliness. In other words, the play therapist provides freedom of expression for the child with ASD, which enables them to express their own perceptions of life and other knowledge areas. Müller and Donley (2019) point out that the child can broaden their social competence to school, home and other social contexts. In addition, children with ASD express themselves more naturally when they are engaged in activities that allow them to use both verbal and non-verbal communication. Games allow these children to express themselves non-verbally when they find it difficult to use verbal expression.

More importantly, scholars emphasize that joint attention is one of the most crucial components of social communication. It refers to the ability to coordinate attention between social partners and objects in a communicative process (Tilmont et al., 2018). Children with ASD exhibit inability to alternate gazes between social partners and objects as well as challenges in pointing, sharing or showing information.  Varley et al. (2019) point out that play therapy enable children with ASD to communicate non-verbally through pointing, showing, shifting gazes appropriately and maintaining eye contact. These aspects help in improving joint attention, which is crucial in interpersonal communication. As children engage in games of their choice, they subconsciously learn important aspects of communication such as maintaining eye-contact, pointing and so on.

 

4.3 Problematic Behaviors 

Other studies look into the impact of play therapy on the problematic behaviors exhibited by children with ASD. Behaviors such as repetitiveness and hyperactivity are common among autistic children and they undermine their full participation in social interactions, learning and other activities. Research indicates that play therapy significantly reduces problematic behaviors among children with ASD. Swan, Kaff and Haas (2019) emphasize that group play therapy has been seen to minimize behaviors that make learning difficult for autistic children in classroom environments. These behaviors are ascribed to deficiencies in motor skills development. As such, research generally shows that play therapy improves the motor skills and coordination. In a study by Imankhah, Khanzadeh and Hasirchaman (2018) to investigate the impact of play therapy using music, it was reported that music therapy improves the motor skills of ASD children. As the children react to the rhythmic movement, they progressively train their brains to coordinate and balance actions.

This intervention has been seen to improve coordination of body movements, which also helps in minimizing disruptive behaviors such as aggression among autistic children. Similar findings are shared by Imankhah, Khanzadeh and Hasirchaman (2018) who in a quasi-experimental research found out that play therapy reduces aggression among children with ASD. Play activities provide a way through which children with ASD can learn how to cope with emotional challenges. As Bui (2022) explains, these children are unable to interpret or understand the thoughts, views and feelings of others. As a result their behaviors seem to be aggressive and out of sync with what others expect of them. This behavior is attributed to the inability to perceive the emotions of others and respond appropriately to them. Through play, they learn to appreciate the thoughts of others, ask questions and solve problems. As such, play therapy has been seen to improve emotional control of children with ASD progressively.

 

You can also read a comprehensive guide on How To Write An Argumentative Essay

5.Limitations of Play Therapy

From the above perspectives, it is seen that play therapy has positive effects on the social interaction skills, social communication and problematic behaviors in children with ASD.  However, play therapy has not been conclusively or empirically ascertained to be a sustainably effective therapeutic intervention for children with ASD. To begin with, and as aforementioned in the background, research on the effectiveness of play therapy in the treatment of autism is limited. Although the existing research generally shows that play therapy is an effective evidence-based therapeutic intervention for autistic treatment, lack of longitudinal studies renders this finding less valid. In addition, most of the studies are based on case studies, involving largely white male children in the US. As such, Tilmont et al. (2018) point out that without a cross-cultural and cross-gender evaluation of play therapy among autistic children, it becomes problematic to validly describe it as effective.

In addition to the narrow scope of research, some scholars argue that children with ASD are unable to play due to socio-cognitive and emotional control deficiencies (Ebrahimi, Aslipoor and Khosrojavid, 2019). Thus, these scholars question the rationale behind the ‘effective’ participation in play activities among autistic children. The fact that these children initially have challenges in playing means that their involvement in play activities is likely to be challenging and ineffective. In play therapy methods such as the pretend play, the child is required to have in mind that the play is not real. Children with ASD are characterized with the inability to attribute mental states to others and using those mental states to predict the actions of others. Based on this fact, the play patterns of children with ASD are likely to be unusual. However, Schottelkorb, Swan and Ogawa (2020) argue that since the play activities are child-centered but adult-led means that they are directed to effectively take part. As such, the therapist takes a prominent role in the play activities to get the children to learn how to play. This approach undermines the agency of the child in directing their own treatment. As Swan, Kaff and Haas (2019) explain, play should be spontaneous and child-driven to be effective, which is not provided by the play therapist.

 

(In the next paragraph 6 below, we  further include a section on implications. Depending on the specific  instructions  given for your writing  your  informative essay  however,  you may or may not need to include  the implications paragraph.  Regardless, this should not take away from the overall quality of your essay.)

6.Implications for Education Providers and Caregivers

The above perspectives from research present important insight for care givers and teachers who deal with children with ASD. For instance, school-based play therapy interventions depend on the teacher’s efficacy in identifying and designing play activities that are appropriate for the child (Bui, 2022). Further, the school environment in terms of social supportive mechanisms for autistic children significantly influences the effectiveness of play-based interventions. Considering that ASD is prevalent among younger children, it is imperative for early education providers and caregivers to be aware of the role of play therapy as a therapeutic intervention (Kent et al., 2020). The focus of this intervention should be on the main symptomatic areas of ASD including social interaction, social communication and behavioral control. The teachers and caregivers while working with therapists are obliged to give liberty to the children to spontaneously take part in play activities. However, these activities should be monitored to assess the outcomes on the basis of the appropriate parameters (Müller and Donley, 2019). At school level, child’s academic achievement and on-task behavioral patterns can be used to assess their progress. At the family or home level, caregivers or parents can base their assessment on child’s interpersonal skills and behavioral changes. However, play therapy interventions need to be anchored in clinical evaluation to validly provide insight that would enable informed progressive interventions.

 

(Lastly, you need to write a conclusion for your informative  essay.  This  section should only  be a summary of what  you have already  discussed throughout the body of your essay.)

7.Conclusion

Overall, this research essay’s objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of play therapy in the treatment of ASD among children in the US. It is established that play therapy promotes social competence through a trust-based and open therapist-child relationship. Also, as children engage in play activities with peers or therapists, they freely express their inner feelings even when they have challenges in verbal expression. It is also found out that play therapy minimizes problematic behavior such as aggression, lack of attention among others. These improvements enable children with ASD to have much more meaningful interactions that enhance their wellbeing in school, home and prepare them for adult life. However, it is still not clear whether play therapy indeed helps to treat autism in children. This is because studies have been based on individual case studies with limited cultural and gender inclusion to increase generalizability. Also, autistic children have difficulties in playing and the therapist-led play programs undermine their agency in directing the intervention. Thus, these findings necessitate education providers and caregivers to prioritize play therapy that takes into account the sensibilities highlighted.

If your unable to completely understand how to write an informative essay we have informative essay writing experts who will be happy to assist you.

 

 

 

References

Autism Society, (March 26, 2020). CDC Report States That Prevalence Rate Increase, with  1 in 54 Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from: https://www.autism-society.org/releases/cdc-releases-new-prevalence-rates-of-people-with-autism-spectrum-disorder/

Blalock, S. M., Lindo, N., & Ray, D. C. (2019). Individual and group child‐centered play therapy: Impact on social‐emotional competencies. Journal of Counseling & Development, 97(3), 238-249.

Bui, L. (2022). A Qualitative Examination of Play Therapy and Mindfulness Interventions with Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Doctoral dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology).

Dillman Taylor, D., Meany-Walen, K. K., Nelson, K. M., & Gungor, A. (2019). Investigating group Adlerian play therapy for children with disruptive behaviors: A single-case research design. International Journal of Play Therapy, 28(3), 168.

Drisko, J., Corvino, P., Kelly, L., & Nielson, J. (2020). Is individual child play therapy effective?. Research on Social Work Practice, 30(7), 715-723.

Ebrahimi, T., Aslipoor, A., & Khosrojavid, M. (2019). The effect of group play therapy on aggressive behaviors and social skills in preschool children. Quarterly journal of child mental health, 6(2), 40-52.

Hodges, H., Fealko, C., & Soares, N. (2020). Autism spectrum disorder: definition, epidemiology, causes, and clinical evaluation. Translational pediatrics, 9(Suppl 1), S55.

Hillman, H. (2018). Child-centered play therapy as an intervention for children with autism: A literature review. International Journal of Play Therapy, 27(4), 198.

Imankhah, F., Khanzadeh, A. A. H., & Hasirchaman, A. (2018). The effectiveness of combined music therapy and physical activity on motor coordination in children with autism. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal, 16(4), 405-412.

Kent, C., Cordier, R., Joosten, A., Wilkes-Gillan, S., Bundy, A., & Speyer, R. (2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions to improve play skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 7(1), 91-118.

Macmillan, C. M., Pecora, L. A., Ridgway, K., Hooley, M., Thomson, M., Dymond, S., … & Stokes, M. A. (2021). An evaluation of education-based interventions for students with autism spectrum disorders without intellectual disability: a systematic review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-19.

Müller, E., & Donley, C. (2019). Measuring the impact of a school-based, integrative approach to play therapy on students with autism and their classroom instructors. International Journal of Play Therapy, 28(3), 123.

Patterson, L., Stutey, D. M., & Dorsey, B. (2018). Play therapy with African American children exposed to adverse childhood experiences. International Journal of Play Therapy, 27(4), 215.

Simmons, J. (2020). Moving Toward Regulation Using Synergetic Play Therapy. Canadian Journal of Counselling & Psychotherapy/Revue Canadienne de Counseling et de Psychothérapie, 54(3).

Schottelkorb, A. A., Swan, K. L., & Ogawa, Y. (2020). Intensive child‐centered play therapy for children on the autism spectrum: A pilot study. Journal of counseling & development, 98(1), 63-73.

Swan, K. L., Kaff, M., & Haas, S. (2019). Effectiveness of group play therapy on problematic behaviors and symptoms of anxiety of preschool children. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 44(2), 82-98.

Tilmont Pittala, E., Saint-Georges-Chaumet, Y., Favrot, C., Tanet, A., Cohen, D., & Saint-Georges, C. (2018). Clinical outcomes of interactive, intensive and individual (3i) play therapy for children with ASD: a two-year follow-up study. BMC pediatrics, 18(1), 1-13.

Varley, D., Wright, B., Cooper, C., Marshall, D., Biggs, K., Ali, S., … & Teare, D. (2019). Investigating SOcial Competence and Isolation in children with Autism taking part in LEGO-based therapy clubs In School Environments (I-SOCIALISE): study protocol. BMJ open, 9(5), e030471.