Informative text Definition, characteristics and examples

An informative text it is a written piece in which information is transmitted objectively.

Every day we need more information, either to acquire more culture on a topic in general, inform ourselves about the news or know some data, among others, and this, precisely, is the purpose of informative texts.

The informative text allows us to know a part of reality, as well as provides us with knowledge.

An informative text can be recognized in front of others, since the research is offered to the reader, free of arguments, subjective elements or opinions, since it is intended to make the information known in a timely manner and as close to reality.

Thus, we can see that we are surrounded by informative texts in everyday life, it is only worth knowing their characteristics and some examples to begin to distinguish them.

Characteristics of the informative texts

The informative text has among its characteristics the following:

1. They transmit information: especially data, descriptions or facts.
2. Avoid argumentation: or any speech with which it is tried to persuade or convince the readers on some subject, since the main objective is simply to inform and not to change the position of the receiver of the message.
3. The language is technical: and not colloquial, since the purposes of the informative text are informative, so it is intended to convey formality and that the reader knows about the subject clearly.
4. Use of orderly language: that is, of well-connected and coherent ideas, because this type of text focuses on the fact that the receiver can understand the message.
5. Clear presentation of ideas: also in order for the reader to grasp the content clearly.

In addition to these characteristics of the informative text, it is also worth noting that there are several types.

Informational text types

Among the various types of informational texts are the following:

1. Informative text

The language used in this type of informational text is intended for the general public, that is, everyone can understand the message, even if they do not have specialized studies. Some of these may be newspaper reports, movie descriptions, synopses, among others..

2. Specialized texts

This informative text is not aimed at the general public, because its language is more complex, since, is directed specifically at a reader who already has some prior knowledge about an area. Therefore, the language is technical. An example may be degree theses or scientific articles, among others..

3. Newspaper report

In these texts information is disclosed as truthfully as possible, objectively and clearly. The aim is that the content also reaches a large number of people and is easily understood.

4. Instructions for use

These usually come with some products and they show us the steps to follow for the operation of the same.

5. Biographical notes

They offer objective information about the lives of some characters, either from the past or current, but always with the greatest possible objectivity, that is,, the writing is free from prejudice, Well, it only focuses on publicizing the biographical events in a timely manner, without issuing opinions on them..

6. Medical items

Such as specialized items, this type of informative text is also directed to a specific audience, in this case, medical specialists, who already have prior notions about the area.

Informative text structure

Informational texts usually contain:

• Introduction: in which certain information is provided so that the reader can contextualize and know what the topic to be developed is about.
• Developing: body of the informative text in which the content is outlined, clearly and concisely, through the union of ideas.
• Conclution: In this, the reader is offered a summary of the most notable points, in addition to the results of the investigation..

Informational Text Examples

Some examples of informational text are as follows:

• Newspaper report: "It has been confirmed that on Monday academic activities will resume for the university sector".
• Instructions for use: "Follow the steps below to get the mixer up and running".
• Biography: "Frida Kahlo was born in Mexico in 1907. She dedicated a large part of her life to painting as an artistic expression".
• Encyclopedia article: "Health is defined by the World Health Organization as a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being".
• Medicine article: "The function of platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are blood cells that ...".

There are also other examples of informative text, but these are the most notorious, or the ones we can find most frequently..

Other types of texts

Other types of texts, in addition to informative ones, are the following:

• The argumentative texts: whose purpose is to persuade the reader to lean or take a position on an issue. This category includes advertising texts or other catalogs.
• Narrative texts: to relate or narrate some type of fact, which can be fictitious or inspired by reality. In these texts a narrator appears who can give an account of what happened, in the first, second or third person. They are intended for entertainment. They can be stories, chronicles, jokes, among others.
• Expository texts: These are also informational texts, only sometimes they are called this way.
• Recreational texts: They are those that seek to entertain the reader by appealing to the playful function of language.

It should be remembered that in informative texts the feelings and emotions of the writer are left out, since the ultimate purpose of these texts is to communicate or make known a fact, so there is no possibility of persuading the readers, or convince them of nothing, just inform them.

As a summary, we can highlight among the informative texts the dictionaries, newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, reports, institutional communications, memoranda, among others.

Human beings always need information about the events that occur around us; sometimes we do not want to know the position of the editor, but only the events themselves, and for this is the informative text.