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!
Here are 25 informative essay writing prompts to get you started.
- 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)
- Write an informational essay about the life and accomplishments of a significant historical figure (e.g. Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi)
- Write an informational essay about the causes and effects of a major environmental issue (e.g. climate change, deforestation)
- Write an informational essay about self-driving cars,
- Write an informational essay about an endangered animal and its habitat.
- 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)
- Write an informational essay about the role and importance of a specific branch of government (e.g. the judicial branch, the executive branch)
- Write an informational essay about the effects of a natural disaster (e.g. an earthquake, a hurricane) on a specific community or region
- Write an informational essay about the history and significance of a major cultural movement (e.g. the Harlem Renaissance, the feminist movement)
- Write an informational essay about the impact of social media on communication and relationships
- Write an informational essay about the causes and effects of poverty in a specific region or country
- Write an informational essay about what makes someone a hero.
- Write an informational essay about the impact of globalization on the economy and culture of a specific country or region
- Write an informational essay about the causes and effects of obesity in the United States
- Write an informational essay about the effects of advertising on consumer behavior
- Write an informational essay about the effects of air pollution on human health and the environment
- Write an informational essay about the role and impact of the media in shaping public opinion
- Write an informational essay about three causes of social media addiction
- Write an informational essay about the causes and consequences of cyberbullying
- Write an informational essay about the impact of video games on mental health and social development
- Write an informational essay about how sugar affects the brain
- Write an informational essay about the history and significance of a major world landmark (e.g. the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower)
- Write an informational essay about the role and impact of the arts in society
- Write an informational essay about the effects of music on the brain and behavior
- Write an informational essay about the impact of technology on the education system and learning.
If you are looking for more writing prompts, be sure to check out these additional blog posts:
