Quick test: what does SPILLS stand for?

Writing to Inform

What do you think ‘beinginformed’ means?

There are lots of different types of writing to inform.

There are examples of writing to inform all around us, every day. Can you think of any?

Information

Leaflets

Leaflets are a type of writing to inform.Visitor attractions, such as theme parks, stately homes and museums often use leaflets to inform people about what they have on offer.

You need to consider…

Use of languageUse of factsToneStyleAudience and purpose Text, layout and images

Think about the following:•How long will your leaflet be?• How are you going to structure your leaflet? • How will it be laid out?• Who is your audience and how is your leaflet going to target them?

Imagine you have to create your own leaflet: A visitor’s leaflet for your school

Writing To Inform

Information should usually be given in the present tense.

Give information about what is happening now so use; it is, they are, we will.

Shoppers now spend £1.6 billion a year on organic products.

Use third person format.

John, Susan, he, she, they.

Fiona Holmes buys organic vegetables for health reasons.

Information is supported by Facts.

Facts are thing that can be proved often shown by numerical evidence.

There are 4000 farm inspections per year.

Skills Language Example

Use impersonal voice when writing to inform

Do not speak to the reader by using you or we. Avoid giving personal opinions e.g. I think…

The Soil Association poll, 72% said organic food tastes better.

Give a clear introduction

Use who, what, when and where in your intro.

Recent consumer polls of shoppers in supermarkets throughout the country showed an increase in sales of organic food.

Use description to help clarify information.

Height, colour, shape, distance are all elements of descriptive information. Comparisons can also be used to add information.

Organically farmed salmon is a much paler pink than non-organic salmon because it’s fed on food without colouring.

The structure should be organised.

Paragraphs should have sub-headings and begin with a topic sentence.

Cost:

Organic food costs more to produce because…

Skills Language Example

ORGANIC FOOD INFORMATION LEAFLET

The growth of the Organic food industry

British shoppers now spend in excess of £1.6 billion a year on organic food. Most major supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsburys and Waitrose, have an organic fruit and vegetable section and most stock organically produced fish and meat. The sale of organic produce has increased by 700% in the last five years.

Health Factors

Studies have shown that organic food contains more of the essential vitamins and minerals the body needs to stay healthy. Fiona Holmes, a nutritionist for the NHS, says that she buys organic vegetables for health reasons. Organic food is grown without artificial pesticides and it is non-genetically modified. It also contains fewer additives; the Soil Association which assesses organic standards does not permit the addition of hydrogenated fat, aspartame or monosodium glutamate.

Environmental Benefits

Organic farming involves a high animal welfare standard; livestock is allowed to grow at a slower rate, without the use of artificial growth hormones. Crops are also allowed to grow at a natural rate and to ripen for harvest. As a result they must be supplied by local producers causing less pollution due to transport.

Appearance

Organic products tend to have a wider variety of shape and colour. Organically farmed salmon is a much paler pink than non- organically produced because the fish are not given artificial food colouring as part of their diet. Organic potatoes vary more in shape and size, some being nobbly, some large, some small, as nature tends to encourage variety as part of its disease fighting technique.

ORGANIC FOOD INFORMATION LEAFLET

The growth of the Organic food industry

British shoppers now spend in excess of £1.6 billion a year on organic food. Most major supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury and Waitrose, have an organic fruit and vegetable section and most stock Organically produced fish and meat. The sale of organic produce has increased by 700% in the last five years.

Health Factors

Studies have shown that organic food contains more of the essential vitamins and minerals the body needs to stay healthy. Fiona Holmes, a nutritionist for the NHS, says that she buys organic vegetables for health reasons. Organic food is grown without artificial pesticides and it is non-genetically modified. It also contains fewer additives; the Soil Association which assesses organic standards does not permit the addition of hydrogenated fat, aspartame or monosodium glutamate.

Environmental Benefits

Organic farming involves high animal welfare standard, livestock is allowed to grow at a slower rate, without the use of artificial growth hormones. Crops are also allowed to grow at a natural rate and to ripen for harvest. As a result they must be supplied by local producers causing less pollution due to transport.

Appearance

Organic products tend to have a wider variety of shape and colour. Organically farmed salmon is a much paler pink than non- organically produced because the fish are not given artificial food colouring as part of their diet. Organic potatoes vary more in shape and size, some being nobbly, some large, some small as nature tends to encourage variety as part of its disease fighting technique.

Topic sentences

Facts

Present tense

Impersonal

Description

Clear introduction

Subheadings: organised structure

Third person