25 Informative Essay Writing Prompts for the Secondary ELA Classroom

25 Informative Essay Writing Prompts for the Secondary ELA Classroom

Looking for informative essay writing prompts? I’ve got you covered!

An informative essay is a staple in middle school ELA and high school English classrooms. An informative essay is a type of writing meant to inform the reader about a specific topic. Informative essays are based on facts and evidence and are not meant to persuade or argue a particular point of view.

When I teach informative essay writing to my students, I specify that essays should all be in one tense and written entirely in the third person. To help my students keep their writing in the third person, I like to use this Writing Spotlight: Writing in the Third Person mini-unit alongside my Informational Essay Writing Unit.

I’ve got you covered if you are looking for informational, informative, or explanatory writing prompts to use in your classroom! This post may contain affiliate links.

Here are 25 informative essay writing prompts to get you started. 25 Informative Essay Writing Prompts for the Secondary ELA Classroom

  1. Write an informational essay about the history and significance of a major world event (e.g. the fall of the Berlin Wall, the first moon landing)
  2. Write an informational essay about the life and accomplishments of a significant historical figure (e.g. Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi)
  3. Write an informational essay about the causes and effects of a major environmental issue (e.g. climate change, deforestation)
  4. Write an informational essay about self-driving cars,
  5. Write an informational essay about an endangered animal and its habitat.
  6. Write an informational essay about the development and impact of a major scientific or technological breakthrough (e.g. the invention of the internet, the discovery of antibiotics)
  7. Write an informational essay about the role and importance of a specific branch of government (e.g. the judicial branch, the executive branch)
  8. Write an informational essay about the effects of a natural disaster (e.g. an earthquake, a hurricane) on a specific community or region
  9. Write an informational essay about the history and significance of a major cultural movement (e.g. the Harlem Renaissance, the feminist movement)
  10. Write an informational essay about the impact of social media on communication and relationships
  11. Write an informational essay about the causes and effects of poverty in a specific region or country
  12. Write an informational essay about what makes someone a hero.
  13. Write an informational essay about the impact of globalization on the economy and culture of a specific country or region
  14. Write an informational essay about the causes and effects of obesity in the United States
  15.  Write an informational essay about the effects of advertising on consumer behavior
  16. Write an informational essay about the effects of air pollution on human health and the environment
  17. Write an informational essay about the role and impact of the media in shaping public opinion
  18. Write an informational essay about three causes of social media addiction
  19. Write an informational essay about the causes and consequences of cyberbullying
  20. Write an informational essay about the impact of video games on mental health and social development
  21. Write an informational essay about how sugar affects the brain
  22. Write an informational essay about the history and significance of a major world landmark (e.g. the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower)
  23. Write an informational essay about the role and impact of the arts in society
  24. Write an informational essay about the effects of music on the brain and behavior
  25. Write an informational essay about the impact of technology on the education system and learning.

I hope that you find these informative essay writing prompts helpful!

If you are looking for more writing prompts, be sure to check out these additional blog posts:

Informative Essay Teaching Unit

Engage your students in this informational and expository essay unit that will help them learn how to write academically! This explanatory, expository, and informational writing unit includes everything you need to teach informational and explanatory writing to your middle and high school students. Plus, all of the digital and print materials are included!

What teachers are saying:

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This is a fantastic resource. The graphic organizers have been amazing for supporting my students as they write essays. The guide says it is for grades 7th through 10th, but I am working with my 6th graders on informative writing and I think these are great resources and tools for them too. Thank you!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Extremely satisfied

Amazing product. This has everything you need to strengthen your student’s writing skills. The Daring English Teacher’s Blog is what I recommend for all my new teacher friends so they can see what a quality lesson includes. The handouts are easy to follow, and slide decks are thoughtfully laid out.”

Teaching Writing? You Need This Book! Building Strong Writers Teacher PD Books for Middle School ELA and High School English

If you are teaching writing this school year, you will want to grab a copy of my writing teaching strategies book, “Building Strong Writers: Strategies and Scaffolds for Teaching Writing in Secondary ELA.” This book has it all: useful strategies that you can use in your classroom, practical writing applications, and tried and true advice for teaching writing!

This will be your new favorite PD book!

Christina

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