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Can you tell the difference between informative and explanatory text?

Meteor Being informed on a topic is not the same as having the topic explained to you. If you look up and see a shooting star blazing across the night sky, you may know that you're not really seeing a star at all, but a small meteor burning up in the atmosphere. However, you may not know much more than that, such as what a meteor actually is or why it looks like a falling star. You've probably been informed about meteors sometime in the past, but perhaps you haven't seen or heard a full explanation of meteors.

Writing explanatory text requires a different approach than writing text that is merely informative. To write explanatory text, you need to understand a topic really well and in great detail--either because you have a lot of experience in the area or because you have done a lot of research.

See if you can recognize writing that is explanatory and not just informative. Read the text on each slide below, and decide if the passage seems more like explanatory text or more like general informative text. Click the Show Me button to see if you're right.

Is this informative or explanatory text?

Falconry

Many people who have not trained under a truly qualified master falconer have the idea that falconry is an easy and fun excuse to live with wild animals. However, the hunting partnership between a falconer and his bird is not at all like keeping a pet or a wild animal collection. Untrained individuals buying several young, captive-bred hawks and then turning them outside to "hunt" is as far from the sport of falconry as can be imagined.

Is this informative or explanatory text?

Laika

Laika was a Soviet space dog who became the first animal to orbit the Earth. A stray from the streets of Moscow, she underwent training with two other dogs, and was eventually chosen as the occupant of the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 2, which was launched into outer space on November 3, 1957. The experiment was intended to prove that a living passenger could survive being launched into orbit.

Is this informative or explanatory text?

The Titanic

"LONDON, April 10th, 1912. -- The White Star liner Titanic, the largest vessel in the world, will sail at noon tomorrow from Southampton on her maiden voyage to New York. Although essentially similar in design and construction to her sister ship, the Olympic, the Titanic is an improvement in many respects. Capt. Smith has been promoted from the Olympic to take her across [the Atlantic]."

Is this informative or explanatory text?

Tablet Computer

When removing a broken glass screen from your tablet, you must first detach the logic board and digitizer. Make sure the battery ribbon cable is not bent or pinched, since this could damage the unit. Keep in mind that small shards of glass may have fallen into your device, and must be found and removed before replacing the screen. It's also a good idea to purchase a bumper or case to prevent further damage to your tablet.