How to Write an Information Text (Expository Writing): A Guide for Australian Students

When students think about writing at school, they usually think about essays and stories. But a third major text type — information texts and expository writing — is just as important, and it's often less well taught.

Whether it's a factual report, an explanatory text, a biography, a procedure, or an analytical piece, the ability to write clear, well-organised information is a core academic skill. It's also the foundation of most professional writing outside of school.

Here's how to do it well.

What Is an Information Text?

An information text is any text whose primary purpose is to inform or explain rather than to argue or narrate.

Common information text types include:

• Reports — "Describe the life cycle of the monarch butterfly"
• Explanatory texts — "Explain how volcanoes form"
• Biographical writing — "Write about the life and contributions of Mary Reibey"
• Procedures — "Explain how to set up a science experiment"
• Analytical/informative essays — "What are the causes of climate change?"

Unlike persuasive writing, an information text doesn't take a strong personal position — it presents facts, explanations, and evidence objectively. Unlike narrative writing, it doesn't tell a story — it explains, describes, or analyses.

The Key Difference: Objective vs Subjective

Persuasive: "Social media is damaging young people's mental health, and urgent action is needed." Narrative: "Mei checked her phone for the third time in a minute. Nothing. She set it face-down and stared at the wall." Informative: "Social media platforms have grown rapidly in Australia. As of 2024, approximately 72% of Australians aged 14–17 use social media daily, according to the Australian Institute of Family Studies."

The informative version states facts without advocating or dramatising. The writer's job is clarity and accuracy, not persuasion or entertainment.

Structure of an Information Text

Most information texts follow a three-part structure:

1. Introduction

The introduction tells the reader:

• What the text is about
• Why it matters or is interesting
• Often, how the text is organised

Example introduction (explanatory text): "Volcanoes are one of the Earth's most powerful natural phenomena. They occur where tectonic plates meet or where the Earth's crust is thin enough for molten rock to break through. This text explains how volcanoes form, the different types of volcanic eruptions, and why some regions are more prone to volcanic activity than others."

Note: no dramatic hook, no personal opinion — just a clear, direct orientation for the reader.

2. Body (sequenced paragraphs)

Each body paragraph covers one aspect of the topic, moving from more general to more specific. The content should be:

• Logically sequenced — one idea flows naturally into the next
• Clearly organised — paragraphs have a clear focus
• Factually accurate — using reliable information and specific details

Common sequencing approaches:

• Chronological (time order — useful for processes, biographies, histories)
• Category by category (useful for reports comparing different aspects)
• Cause and effect (useful for explanatory texts)
• Most important to least important (useful for analytical texts)

3. Conclusion

The conclusion:

• Summarises the key points
• May suggest why the information is significant
• Does not introduce new information

Example conclusion: "Volcanoes are the result of complex tectonic processes that have shaped the Earth's surface over millions of years. Understanding how and why they form not only helps scientists predict eruptions but also explains the distribution of fertile land and mineral deposits around the world."

Language Features of Information Texts

Information texts use a distinct set of language features. Learning to use them deliberately will significantly improve your informative writing.

1. Precise, technical vocabulary

Use the correct technical terms for the topic. Don't say "the top part of the volcano" when you mean "the summit." Don't say "the hot melted rock" when you mean "magma."

Precise vocabulary signals to the reader (and the marker) that you actually understand the topic.

2. Third-person perspective

Information texts almost always use third person (it, they, the study, researchers) rather than first person (I, we) or second person (you).

Avoid: "I think volcanoes are really interesting and dangerous." Use: "Volcanoes present significant dangers to nearby populations, particularly in the form of pyroclastic flows and ashfall."

3. Present tense (for general facts)

Use present tense for general facts and processes:

"Magma rises through the Earth's crust..." not "Magma rose through the Earth's crust..."

Use past tense only when discussing specific historical events:

"The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa produced the loudest sound in recorded human history."

4. Noun groups (expanded noun phrases)

Information texts often use detailed noun phrases to pack information efficiently:

"The stratified layers of ash and rock visible in the volcanic cross-section..." "A particularly dangerous type of volcanic eruption known as a Plinian event..."

5. Logical connectives

Information texts use connectives that signal logical relationships between ideas:

• Adding: furthermore, additionally, as well as, in addition
• Sequencing: first, then, following this, subsequently, finally
• Cause and effect: as a result, consequently, this leads to, therefore
• Contrast: however, on the other hand, in contrast, despite this
• Exemplifying: for example, for instance, such as, including

6. Hedging language (when appropriate)

Good informative writing acknowledges uncertainty where it exists rather than overstating conclusions:

"Evidence suggests...", "Research indicates...", "It is generally believed that...", "Scientists estimate..."

This is especially important when the evidence is contested or when making predictions.

Types of Information Text in Detail

Reports

A report presents information about a topic organised by category. It describes and classifies rather than narrates.

Structure:

• Classification (what is it?)
• Description of sub-categories or aspects
• Summary

Example topics: Animals, ecosystems, historical events, scientific phenomena, geographic regions

Explanatory Texts

An explanatory text explains how or why something happens. It often uses cause-and-effect structure.

Structure:

• Phenomenon identified
• Explanation of the process or causes
• Summary of the significance

Example topics: Natural processes (photosynthesis, weather patterns), historical causes (why did WWI start?), scientific mechanisms

Biographical Writing

Biographical writing provides information about a real person's life and contributions.

Structure:

• Introduction (who is this person and why do they matter?)
• Chronological account of key events and achievements
• Assessment of their significance or legacy

Example topics: Historical figures, scientists, artists, political leaders, local community members

Procedures

A procedure explains how to do something, in sequence.

Structure:

• Goal (what will be achieved)
• Materials or requirements
• Numbered steps in order
• Result or evaluation

Example topics: Science experiments, recipes, instructions for making something

Common Mistakes in Information Writing

1. Slipping into persuasion

"Climate change is the most important issue of our time and everyone must take action immediately."

This is opinion, not information. In an information text, state what researchers and scientists say, and what the evidence shows — don't advocate.

2. Using "I" and personal opinion

"I find this really interesting because..." — avoid this in formal information texts.

3. Vague or imprecise language

"Lots of people are affected by it." → "According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to adequate healthcare."

Specificity is credibility.

4. Forgetting to sequence logically

Information that jumps around — from cause to effect back to cause, or from present to past to present without reason — is hard to follow. Plan your sequence before writing.

5. Padding with irrelevant information

Include only what is directly relevant to your topic and purpose. Extra background information that doesn't illuminate the main topic dilutes your writing.

A Practical Approach for Exam Conditions

When you're writing an information text in a timed situation:

Minutes 1–3: Read the prompt carefully. Identify:

• The text type (report, explanation, biography, procedure?)
• The topic and scope (what am I covering? What's outside scope?)
• The audience (who am I writing for?)

Minute 3–5: Plan your structure — three or four key aspects you'll cover, in what order. Minutes 5–35: Write — clear introduction, focused paragraphs, summary conclusion. Minutes 35–40: Edit — check technical vocabulary, tense consistency, third person throughout.

The Bottom Line

Expository and information writing is one of the most practical writing skills you can develop. It's the foundation of academic writing across every subject — science reports, history essays, geography analyses, economics evaluations.

Mastering information text means mastering clear thinking: organising ideas logically, using evidence specifically, and communicating with precision. These skills transfer across every subject and every context you'll encounter in school and beyond.

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