English Language > Writing > Writing to inform, explain and describe
Writing to inform
To inform means to give facts to another person.
If you were informing someone about a job, you should:
- Use straightforward language to convey essential information. For example, what is involved in the job?
- Give the readers a bit more information. For example, what is interesting about the job and what you enjoy about it?
- Remember you are giving information. Imagine that someone asked about your job because they are thinking they might like a similar one.
GAPS
Think about genre, audience, purpose and style.
Genre - could be giving instructions, recipes, directions, manuals, science experiment
Audience - could be anyone
Purpose - to inform - giving unbiased information which is reliable and factual
Style - formal
Useful techniques
When writing to inform, make sure language is clear, factual and impersonal. Use short and clear sentences. Break up the writing with diagrams, illustrations, pictures and subheadings.