Informative Writing

Making the leap into early academic writing can feel overwhelming — for learners and teachers alike! 

There are many types of writing included under the umbrella of "academic writing," and it can be beneficial to take some time to really focus on learning the elements of each particular type. 

This class focuses on informative writing. Sharing information with an audience requires consideration of what the reader already knows, choices about how to organize and present ideas for clarity, and analysis to determine what is important enough to share.

We'll practice these important skills through creating how-to and process-focused texts.

Gain Key Academic Writing and Reading Foundations

Informative writing is a key academic writing component that comes up again and again throughout learners' academic writing experiences. 

This class will dive deep into the following informative writing elements: 

  • Adjusting texts for different audiences
  • Organizing ideas for clarity
  • Choosing which information to include and leave out 
  • Selecting and integrating direct quotes
  • Writing meaningful, plagiarism-free paraphrases
  • Basic citation conventions (MLA)

Course Details

  • Live Format: This class meets virtually during a live session each week. Materials open each week with weekly due dates. Instructor gives feedback and end-of-semester reports.

  • Find Individual Process: There is no one way to write well. Learners develop their own strategies they can turn to as demands increase over time. This class focuses with intention on the tools used in informative writing. Writers practice their own strategies with scaffolding and support.

  • Supplies: To participate successfully in class, learners will need the following: PDF Reader, Zoom (free account), Google Drive (free account)

Pricing options

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities.

Is this the right fit?

This class is a beginner option for my Middle School level classes (Middle School Foundations). It’s designed for learners who are new to academic writing expectations. Learners will do best if they have the following skills: 

  • Can write about 150-200 words (about one-half page double spaced) on a single topic
  • Confidently reads texts at or above ~650L on the Lexile rating
  • A developing set of note-taking strategies for informative texts (such as annotation, Cornell Notes, etc.)

This class is a good fit for middle school readers and writers who have not had much formal academic writing experience.

It’s an especially good fit for those who need practice moving from reading informative texts to gain knowledge to writing those texts to share that knowledge with others.

Finding the Right Challenge

This class is designed as a very early introduction to academic writing experiences.

More advanced writers with experience writing academic essays may benefit from this class if they struggle with reading comprehension.

It Might Be Too Easy!

Writers who can confidently summarize texts, take notes with focus and clarity, and have experience writing academic essays may find this class lacks challenge.

These writers may instead benefit from a Middle School Writing 2 class.  

Skills Gained

We will practice note-taking and summary with a range of texts (including news articles, videos, narratives, and visuals).

Students will gain the following skills:

  • Developing reading comprehension and selecting key quotes with intention
  • Paraphrasing information accurately and fairly
  • Reflecting on what works to build strong writing habits
  • Writing synthesized and accurate informative reports


Common Core Standards Alignment

For those who are using Common Core standards, this course meets the following: 

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2, 7.2, and 8.2 (identifying central ideas)
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3, 7.3, and 8.3 (analyzing details in informational texts)
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.4, 7.4, and 8.4 (determining word meaning in context)
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.9, 7.9, and 8.9 (analyzing two or more texts with common themes)
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.10, 7.10, and 8.10 (reading and comprehending informational texts)
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2, 7.2, and 8.2 (write informative/explanatory texts with effective selection, organization, and analysis of content)
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.4, 7.4, and 8.4 (write appropriately to audience)
  • CCSS-ELA-LITERACY.W.6.9, 7.9, and 8.9 (draw supporting evidence from informational texts)
  • CCS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.10, 7.10, and 8.10 (write routinely over extended time frames)

Meet Your Teacher!

Michelle Parrinello-Cason

Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason is the founder of Dayla Learning. She has a PhD in rhetoric and composition, a passion for helping students find their writing voice, and two homeschooling children of her own. Michelle has taught in a wide variety of settings including six years as a full-time college professor. She has been teaching virtual and in-person homeschool writing and humanities classes for more than five years. Michelle believes in meeting students where they are and — as any of her previous students will tell you — believes deeply that there is no such thing as a bad rough draft!

Pricing options

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities.