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ENG 101: The Informative Essay

About the Informative Essay

 

Infographic on informative writing that has the word 'inform' downward along the left side; the I reads: include an opening paragraph that tells the topic. N is: name facts in the body of your article. F is: follow the facts with supporting details. O is: organize your writing with transition words. R is: refer to the topic and include key vocabulary. M is: make a closing paragraph related to your topic. An informative essay educates your reader on a topic. It can have one of several functions: to define a term, compare and contrast something, analyze data, or provide how-to instruction. It does not  present an opinion or try to persuade your reader.

Write an informative essay that does the following:

  • Clearly informs the reader about a topic without presenting your opinion.
  • Correctly uses required style (e.g. MLA or APA) to organize and format the essay, and to create in-text citations and a bibliography.
  • Cites research from academically reliable sources from library databases.
  • Includes a properly developed introduction and conclusion.
  • Is grammatically correct with few errors in spelling or mechanics.

NOTE: For specific requirements (i.e. - formatting style, number of pages, etc.) follow your instructor's guidelines.

 

Image from page 3 of Myles, R., & Tuang, H. (2014). Grade 2: Informative writing lessons. The Los Angeles Unified School District's Academic English Mastery Program. https://achieve.lausd.net/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centricity/Domain/217/MELD_Informative_CCSS_Lesson_2.pdf

About the Gateway Library

The Gateway Library has a small, curated collection of reference books at each campus but the majority of the resources are online.  Instead of building a library in the middle of campus, we've put students (YOU!) at the center of our library!  Some benefits to this type of library collection include:

  • Access encyclopedias, books, articles, and videos as you need them!
    • As long as you have internet connectivity, books and databases are available to you wherever you are and whenever you need them.
  • Up-to-date and flexible collections!  
    • Digital resources allow for centralized and efficient resource curation.
  • There is more space online! 
    • The Gateway Library has more than 250K eBooks and 20K journals, many more than could fit on campus physically, plus several video services and a comprehensive digital reference collection.

Links in the menu on the left of the page will give you access to videos, books, articles, websites, and even test prep resources for your project or program of study!  These have been curated by the library staff in collaboration with Gateway Faculty.  The intention is to create something interesting and useful for your studies.

Search Encyclopedias and other Reference Resources:

Credo Reference is a database with more than 270 encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks with 3.1 million entries that are linked and interconnected to create a knowledge network.  

Search for Books and Videos:

Check here for tips on using this search interface!

Search the Gateway Databases:

START HERE for an overview of the databases and links to the most-used databases; you'll also find instructions for how to search the databases and navigate your results!

WE HAVE A LIBRARIAN AT EVERY CAMPUS! 

Meet your Gateway librarians:

URBAN METRO CAMPUS

Greetings!  My name is Elizabeth Hartlaub.  I have been the Director of Library and Information Services at Gateway since the Summer of 2020.

I have been a librarian for over 15 years with both public and academic library experience.  Some professional positions I held prior to coming to Gateway are as follows: 

~ Library Operations Manager - UC Blue Ash

~ Branch Manager - Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

I am originally from Cincinnati and attended Xavier University for my undergraduate degree in International Affairs. My career in libraries started when I worked as a Student Assistant at the XU Library! 

I was a first generation college student and found that the library provided the academic support and empowerment I needed to succeed in my studies. This doesn't go without saying that I also had an amazing group of family, friends, and other academic support at the university to help me along the way.  My advice to any student is that you are not alone as you work through your courses!  Engage with your school and personal support system early and often!

A few years after I graduated from XU, I earned a Master's Degree in Library Science at Indiana University - Bloomington. 

My favorite part of being a librarian is connecting with students and guiding them through the research and information literacy process.  Research is one of my favorite parts of being a librarian and I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love and share that knowledge with others!

In my free time, I love hiking and playing outside with my two children, going to baseball games at Great American Ball Park, and gardening in my small-but-mighty backyard garden.

One fun fact about me is that I started learning French when I was in Kindergarten.  I kept with it all the way through to earning a minor at XU.  I have visited France three times, including living there for 6 months as a part of a study abroad opportunity.  I am really rusty, but I think I can still carry on a conversation if needed.

Contact Elizabeth by...

Email: Elizabeth.Goodman@kctcs.edu

Phone: 859-442-4162

Office Location: UB208 (in the TIE building)

EDGEWOOD CAMPUS

Hello!  My name is Erica Halsey. I am your Library Coordinator and spend my days at the Edgewood Campus, room E105A in the Student Services Center. I can help you learn how to find, access, and evaluate the information that you need to succeed at Gateway and beyond.

Before I became a librarian, I was an architect and an historical archaeologist.  I renovate homes, and research history and genealogy for fun; I am interested in everything, so bring bring me your research questions and let's learn together!  Email, call, or chat if I can help with your information needs.

Contact Erica by...

Email: Erica.Halsey@kctcs.edu

Phone: 859-442-4171

Office Location: E105A (within sight of the Info Commons desk at the Student Services Center)

     ** I'm the librarian closest to the Transportation Technology Center!

BOONE CAMPUS

Welcome our newest librarian: Priscilla Kapungu!

Contact Priscilla by...

Email: Priscilla.Kapungu@kctcs.edu

Phone: 859-442-1163

Office Location: B096 (the library) or at the Boone Information Commons desk

 

 

 

 

 

 

URBAN METRO CAMPUS - IC DESK

Hello. My name is Adam Thurman. I work as a leader at the Gateway Information Commons - usually at the Covington TIE campus - and also work broadly with the library to provide information literacy, outreach, and reference services to the classes I am embedded with.

I have worked at Gateway since 2015, receiving my MLIS from Wayne State University in Michigan, after leaving an internship at Xavier University's library. My primary areas of interest were and are how to best catalog, curate, and organize information to make it easy to learn from and use.

As you might expect, I enjoy reading and researching history for fun.

Please note that the best way to contact me is by email. If you need to meet in person, I will schedule an appointment by email. I try to reply to all emails made during the work week within 24 hours.

Given my role extends beyond traditional library services, I would encourage those who are embedded in my classes to contact me for more general questions, as well as research related ones: If I cannot find an answer for you, I can find someone who can!

Contact Adam by...

Email: AThurman0026@kctcs.edu

Phone: 859-442-1122

Office Location: UC - TIE Information Commons desk

Make an Appointment

Use this form to make an in-person or virtual One-on-One Appointment !

Use the Chat Pop-up ~or~ Text Us @ 859-765-1265ew! Send us a text-message to ask a question about the Gateway Library!

    Please be sure to provide your name and email address so we can follow-up in more detail if needed.

 

 
***Adapted from Ashford University***

State your topic

Your topic is the essential idea of your paper. It is usually a few words or a phrase that summarizes the subject of your paper. For your thesis statement, try to make your topic as specific as possible.

State your main idea about this topic

What are you trying to state or prove about your topic? What are you trying to persuade the reader to believe? When stating your opinion, be sure to:

  • express one major ideal
  • name the topic and assert something specific about it
  • take a stance on an issue that you can support with facts and reasons.
  • state your position on or opinion about the issue.

Give a reason that supports your main idea

Write your reason as a clear statement. Be sure that you can support this reason with logical facts and evidence.

Give another reason that supports your main idea

Write your reason as a clear statement. Be sure that you can support this reason with logical facts and evidence.

Give one more reason that supports your main idea

Tell us one reason that supports your opinion. Write your reason as a clear statement. Be sure that you can support this reason with logical facts and evidence.

Include an opposing viewpoint to your main idea, if applicable

A good thesis statement acknowledges that there is always another side to the argument. So, include an opposing viewpoint (a counterargument) to your opinion. Basically, write down what a person who disagrees with your position might say about your topic.



 

Click the button to generate your thesis statement!

 

 

Use this Assignment Calculator to determine when you should complete each part of a writing project, such as research papers and speeches! (1)

Usage: CC-BY-2.0 held by: photosteve101 on Flickr

1. University of Minnesota Libraries. (n.d.). Assignment calculator. University of Minnesota. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://www.lib.umn.edu/services/ac