Informative text: what it is, characteristics, and how to do it

Communication has become a very valuable, important and lucrative tool over the years and with the evolution in the way we are now able to bring news and information of all kinds to the world.

From world development events to entertainment news, as well as curiosities of the world and simple tips that we can follow that make our life routine simpler and energetic. But what has not changed is the commitment to always bring the truth to viewers, who place their trust in what they are reading or listening to.

The main reason people spend their time searching for written information is to nurture and master an unknown or novel aspect that catches their attention. Therefore, it is important to maintain the responsibility of providing information that is of quality, truthful and that is expressed in a clear and simple communication format, so that everyone can understand it without any complication.

And you, do you have something to say and you don't know how to do it? Well stay in this article where

We will talk about everything related to the informative text so that you can master it and own a good way to express your information.

What is an informational text?

By definition, an informative text refers to a non-literary writing constructed from information obtained about a true event, which is described and developed for the consumption of viewers or readers, so that they can know and understand it. It is built with a base of tools to capture people's attention in the sense of a referential or symbolic communication function, that is, without distorting the events as they happened.

Generally, informational texts are known through the written media, such as newspapers or magazines, but these They are also found in academic books, biographies and information web portals (blogs or web pages) dedicated to specific topics or culture global.

Informational text characteristics

In order to distinguish one informational text from any other, pay attention to the following features we will now describe.

1. No characters

This is perhaps the most notorious element of an informational text: there are no protagonists, antagonists, or an unfolding story, as there are in literature books or creative writing. It is then based on giving information about a topic, in a clear and concise format of expression, taking into account the real events that have happened around it.

2. Describe the reality

Regardless of the main topic (entertainment, history, culture, medicine, beauty, news of last minute, economy, etc.) the purpose of these texts is to carry real, objective and updated.

3. Always updated

Speaking of always being in the moment, the informational text avoids repeating events that have already happened at all costs. Instead, it seeks to offer news or discoveries of recent years or in this case, it informs about a renewal on an already known topic.

4. Specialized language

Another important point is that in these texts language is very specific to communication, since it is about carry a message to a receiver that does not contain any obstacle to their understanding and that makes clear the veracity of the written.

Although the reader is also taken into account, so you can find many variations depending on the place where find the news, but always maintain an impersonal language, even if technical or light concepts are present adaptations.

5. It is structured

Again, unlike literary stories and even narration, the informative text is made up of various structures that serve to organize the subject in question. This helps readers better understand what they are reading, find a distinctive point they want to review, and avoid fatigue. For this, there are glossaries for technical concepts, the index, graphic tables, annexes or the use of titles and subtitles.

6. Language resources are avoided

In this sense, we can find more the use of proper nouns, adjectives and verbs to describe the actions than metaphors to relate the elements of the writing. The use of popular jargon is also eliminated, changing it for a neutral language, also avoiding the use of fantasy, magnification or any other more common resource in literary stories.

7. Yes to the references

Another great point to highlight is that the informative text, precisely because of its character to carry information, is supported by bibliographies and links to real news, never emerges from the imagination of the editor.

8. Content accuracy

Organization is the key to good informational text and what ensures that people read your content. This is achieved through concise and precise information, short paragraphs, attractive and simple language and division of topics, since it avoids dispersion and distraction.

9. Purpose of the information

This is another key point, all informative text must have a reason, a purpose, it cannot be scattered information that make the reader not find what to look for and instead waste time deciphering what is meant in the Article.

10. Punctuation marks

Here, punctuation marks play a more relevant role than anywhere else, as they serve as a guide for the reader. In this sense, you can use punctuation marks to express a pause, a change of idea, an ending or a continuity.

11. Support resources

The fact that it is different from literature or narrative does not mean that support resources can not be used so that the reader better understands the information presented. For this there are examples, which are the best way to understand a text, since readers can see the idea reflected with an element of everyday life. You can also use infographics or audiovisual elements (images and videos).

How to make an informative text?

Since you know the essential characteristics of an informational text, now you will know what are the steps to create one.

1. Choose a topic or fact

This is the first step that you should take into account when making an informative text, the main topic that you are going to develop or that you will talk about in the writing. You must remember that this must be a true element, which has a basis for study and is relevant to publicize.

2. Remember your audience

The way in which you will carry out the writing is also important to take care of, because your audience should feel not alone sure that what you say is true but that they can understand it so that new information is recorded in their brains. So keep in mind the audience you are writing for and make sure you have an impersonal tone while keeping professionalism and objectivity.

3. Sort your ideas

As we mentioned before, it is necessary that your writing has structure, especially that it goes from the macro to the details, in this sense it is You need to first make a short presentation so that readers know what they are going to read, start with the concepts (if necessary), then go to the descriptions or characteristics and finally close your article with a conclusion that leaves a message to those who are reading.

To make it easier, take a look at this structure:

• Qualification, that is attractive and encompasses the ideas of the main theme.

• Introduction, which refers to the presentation summary.

• Body, which is where you will develop the topic and add the required elements, answering all the questions in the news (how? who? why? where? when?)

• Objective closure or conclusion of the topicThat leaves the reader with a kind of reflection on the subject and reinforces the main point.

4. Look for the news

People want to stay up-to-date on what is happening in the world, so it is best to opt for news or events that are cutting edge and have the potential to be known. Likewise, updates on past studies, cases, or events can also get readers' attention, as long as you stick with today.

5. Lean on reliable sources

It is always important to get the information that you are going to share with the public from a source that is recognized for expressing the truth and with the professional ethics of offering real facts. So take your time to search different portals, read and analyze carefully before writing.

6. Take care of the style

Punctuation marks, typography font, font size, spacing, use of keywords and the correct way to enumerate, will make your informative text acquires greater visual interest in the eyes of readers and will make your writing look cleaner and professional.

Another thing that you must take into account to reinforce your text is to add the appropriate audiovisual resources, here you must ask yourself: what image or video is more in line with my text? Can this image convey the idea that I want to capture? It does not have to be something so literal, but it does imply to the reader that there is a relationship between the visual element and the writing.

7. Check everything

Once you have all your chosen topic developed in the place it is necessary that you read it again, even a second time out loud, to guarantee the objectivity and understanding of the information as well as the care that has been given to all the spelling, grammar and visual tools.

Do you have everything it takes to break big news to the world?