Informational Text – Features, Types with Examples

What is an Information Text?

Any piece of writing falls under the category of fiction or non-fiction.

Fiction is a work of imagination (made up story), whereas non-fiction is based on facts and actual events or real people.

Informational texts are non-fiction works that inform the readers about a specific topic. They are found in newspapers, magazines, instruction manuals, science and history books, etc.

Organization of Informational Texts

Some of the cues, like table of contents, index, and glossary, etc., help the readers to find specific information.

• The table of contents at the beginning of a book lists the chapters with page numbers. This helps the readers to look for specific topics.
• An index, which is present at the back of a book, lists various topics with page numbers so that one can locate that topic.
• The glossary gives the meaning and definitions of words.

Examples of Information Texts

Some of the most common examples of information texts are as follows:

• Encyclopedias

Structured in a comprehensive and organized manner, encyclopedias come with detailed and factual information. They serve as reference texts in research and include a combination of images, graphs, and charts to help simplify understanding of the field at hand. While physical encyclopedias continue to exist, they have largely been replaced by online databases like Britannica.

• Textbooks

Planned and designed in a systematic, cohesive manner, textbooks serve as instruction and knowledge sources. They serve as primary informational texts in schools, colleges, and academic institutions. Subject matter is divided into chapters, units, and topics that disseminate information to promote learning.

The Oxford Textbook of Global Public Health is an example in this category.

• News Articles

Aimed at reporting developments in a specific public issue or in dynamic world affairs, news articles serve as time-sensitive informational texts. Imparted through printed formats like newspapers or online websites and blogs, they relay credible information to enhance public awareness of broader issues. Topics in the news articles can range from political and social issues to international affairs, as well as literary and cultural events.

Examples: Features and reported pieces in the BBC, the New York Times, or those on the online portals of the Indian Express or Reuters.

• Safety Regulations

Informational texts formulated to instruct individuals or organizations on practices and rules to minimize injury and mishaps are called safety regulations. They outline dangers, consequences, and precautionary measures in a specific workplace, public area, or industry. Official safety regulations issued by governments also include the legal repercussions, while others might include how-to guides in case of a mishap.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations are an example of these informational texts.

• Case Studies

These informational texts examine real-world situations in detail to explore a topic or understand its cause and consequences. Focused on a single or multiple cases under the same theme, they are incorporated with sources of evidence to lend to their credibility. For example, in the medical field, a case study on the brain injury of a patient will include their medical history, case precedents, response to treatment, and results (impact on patient behavior).

Another example could be the study of Apple’s rebranding strategy from the perspective of marketing psychology.

• Medical Journals

Chronicling updates on medical advancements, latest discoveries, and critical developments in clinical studies, medical journals are informational journals specific to the field of medical science. The structure of the texts in these journals includes an abstract, introduction, the methodology opted for by the researcher/academic, results, discussion, and conclusion. It helps present complex experiment outcomes in a simplified and legible manner. These informational texts are also peer-reviewed prior to publication in order to ensure credibility in the information being imparted.

Medical journals use case studies and research data to present studies methodologically so that the scientific community can make use of them in future studies. The Lancet is an example of a medical journal.

• Cookbooks

A unique form of informational texts, cookbooks furnish guidance on recipes and cuisines. They are categorized based on themes, cuisines, dietary benefits, and ingredients. Containing step-by-step cooking instructions, ingredient measurements, preparation times, cooking tips, and nutritional benefits, they serve as cooking guides. These informational texts are also filled with images of ingredients, dishes, and cooking stages.

Example: Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child.

Written Cues

• These texts use different types and sizes of fonts to emphasize keywords.
• Some words are written in bold or italics to show that they are important.
• Bullets and numbers are used to organize information in lists.
• Headings, subheadings, and labels are used to categorize information. Headings may have larger fonts so that the reader can locate a particular portion in the text.

Informational Text Images

• These texts contain images and graphics to help the reader understand the topics.
• Informational texts contain diagrams, illustrations, photographs, charts, maps, etc., which provide details in the form of pictures.
• Most of the pictures have captions that connect them with the text.
• For example, Science books have diagrams of body parts or plant parts. Charts and graphs are found in maths books, etc.

Informational Text Features

Informational texts contain special text features that help readers to find important information and understand the topic. These are components of the article that are not in the main body of the text.

The Text Features in Informational Texts are:

1. Titles: Titles appear at the top of the page or the front of a book. They tell us what the book or the chapter is about.
2. Subtitles: Subtitles give us more information about the title.
3. Headings: Headings help to organize information into sections.
4. Subheadings: Subheadings are used to organize information into smaller sections.
5. Table of contents: Mostly non-fiction books have a table of contents in the beginning. It helps us to identify on which page each chapter begins.
6. Index: An index is the very last page of a book. There, we can find out the page number of important keywords or information. In an index, words are listed in alphabetical order.
7. Glossary: It is a mini dictionary found at the end of the book. It gives us the definitions of keywords. Sometimes bold and italic words are used in the glossary.
8. Charts, graphs, and tables: These are used in non-fiction books to share information. They help to organize data so that it becomes easy for the readers to read. Graphs help to organize and compare information in a visual way. Tables organize facts in a visual way, which makes it easier for the readers.
9. Captions: Captions are present underneath photographs and illustrations. They give us more information about the picture.
10. Diagrams: These are simple drawings that show the parts of something or its working. Diagrams have labels that name each part.
11. Labels: These are words used to describe parts of a picture.
12. Maps: Maps are used in some non-fiction materials to show the location of a place.
13. Timelines: Timelines are used to show the order in which certain events happened. These are usually used with historical events.
14. Photographs: These are taken using a camera, and they show what something looks like.
15. Illustrations: Illustrations are drawn by an artist, and they show what something looks like.
16. Bold and italic letters: Bold and italic letters are used to draw attention to important words. Words are written in dark and heavy lines to make them bold. Italic letters are slanted.

Types of Informational Texts Structures

The text structure denotes the way each text is written.

The Different Types of Informational Texts Based on Their Structure are:

1. Descriptive or Definition

Such texts explain a topic. The main concept is defined first and then expanded with examples.

The signal words used are referred to, defined as, for instance, to illustrate, etc.

Example: Science textbooks, news articles, and information sheets about products for sale

2. Problem – Solution

This type of text states a problem and suggests one or more solutions.

The signal words used are the problem is, the solution is, the problem is solved by etc.

Example: A speech with a remedy for a particular problem

3. Sequence/ Time

In this structure, information about a topic is given in a particular order. If the order is changed, the meaning would change.

The signal words used are first, second, third, then, before, etc.

Example: Recipes, instruction manuals

4. Comparison – Contrast

This text structure involves pointing out the similarities and differences between two or more topics or objects.

The signal words used are the same as, different from, alike, similarly, etc.

Example: Articles comparing two sports teams

5. Cause – Effect

This kind of text shows the relationship between the cause of something and the effect of the result.

The signal words used are so that, because of, reasons for, if…then, etc.

Example: Warning labels that state the side effects of using a product.

Conclusion

Language is what sustains coherence and structure in the world we live in. On every level of human existence, it supports the exchange of valuable information about everything that directly or indirectly impacts us. Serving as a repository of verifiable information and reliable learning, informational texts are non-fiction sources that keep the world running smoothly. They promote understanding of complex topics, help raise awareness about pressing issues, and aid readers in applying learning to real-life situations. In the absence of informational texts, students, academics, communities, and global systems might fall apart due to lapses in understanding a range of subjects and making informed decisions.

They are, therefore, indispensable as necessities of a functional modern world.

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