Super Writing Lessons | Student Writing Lessons | Expository Writing
Informational/Expository Student Writing Sample- Grade 4
Read Time 4 mins | Mar 25, 2020 11:43:49 PM | Written by: Toolbox
7-Day Process Piece Student Sample Grade 4
One way that I found to ease the tremendous stress of a research project was to break it into manageable chunks for my students. Upon introducing the topic or subject of writing we began by creating a list of everything we knew about the topic and then sorting and categorizing that list.
Our journey into the research then became much easier to manage. Students focused on one aspect of the big topic and then began to notice severa l smaller main ideas that matched each focused area. Students found information about the main ideas and then it was time to write. The following piece of exposition is a result of breaking the writing process down into small chunks and wr iting one section of the piece each day for a total of seven days ( see the Expository/Informative Writing Summarizing Framework . ) In the real world, authors do not just write in one big blur, or what some might call flash drafts. They in fact write a section, reflect on that section, and revise it as they go. That is exactly what my students were able to do quite successfully.
What really works in this piece:
- Organizational structure – the pillar
- Word choice – word referents
- Distinct Main Ideas
- The use of research: quote, amazing facts, anecdote
- The voice and tone
Note the use of informative verbs and the way the author states each main idea in this introduction paragraph.
Note the use of “word referents” instead of “the horseshoe crab…the horseshoe crab…the horseshoe crab…” The author uses the productive questions “What does it look like, why is it important?” to add meaningful detail to support the main idea – appearance.
The student states the main idea of this paragraph as a question. This is one strategy taught for revising boring main idea sentences. Note the use of an anecdote to provide interesting detail to support the main idea – habitat.
In the conclusion paragraph, the author uses a hypothetical anecdote, informative verbs, a definitive phrase, word referents, and a general restatement of the topic sentence. All of these are strategies taught in EW instruction.
Recommended Resources
- Empowering Writer's Methodology
- Informational & Opinion Writing Guide for Grade 4
Elementary Assessments
51 Great Informational Writing Prompts for 4th Grade
Encourage learners to show what they know using these informational writing prompts for 4th grade students.
Informational writing assignments require students to think logically.
This type of writing challenges students to communicate ideas that are factual and research-based. It’s a good opportunity to introduce research topics .
What’s more, with informational writing, fourth graders learn to distinguish between what is true and what is not.
Thus, fourth graders will build strong writing skills as they respond to these informational writing prompts for 4th grade.
So be sure to include a few of these engaging fourth-grade informational writing prompts in your writer’s workshop lesson plans.
Informational Writing Prompts for 4th Grade
1. Describe your after-school routine.
2. What are some of the safety measures that fourth graders should follow when riding a bike?
3. Explain the life cycle of a frog.
4. Think about your favorite author. Give examples of recurring themes in his/her books.
5. Describe the duties connected with your classroom job.
6. Write a short biography about a significant person in history.
7. Explain how to play tetherball.
8. Talk about a day in the life of a teacher.
9. Write about the different bodies of water that exist in the world.
10. Describe your morning routine.
11. Explain Field Day.
12. Provide examples of nonfiction text features, and explain how they help readers comprehend better.
13. Share what you think it means to be a good citizen.
14. Write the characteristics of a farm. How is it different from a city?
15. Using the five senses, describe your favorite flavored ice cream.
16. What is the importance of responding to informational writing prompts for 4th grade?
17. Explain to a 100-year-old how to write and send an email.
18. Detail a few study skills that fourth graders can use to support academic success.
19. Share the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pet.
20. Write an article for the school’s newsletter offering tips on how to care for a pet.
21. Summarize your favorite TV show episode.
22. Why is it important to attend school?
23. Tell the similarities and differences between an apartment and a house.
24. How can someone become a better reader?
25. What are the similarities and differences between fiction and nonfiction books?
26. Explain an Easter egg hunt to a child who has never participated in one.
27. What is a thesaurus, and how do you use it?
28. Share what it means to be a good friend.
29. Write a letter to your parents, informing them that you have reached all of your SMART goals.
30. Describe a rainforest.
31. Tell what responsibilities or duties you have as a member of your family.
32. In what ways can people care for the environment?
33. Tell how to play your favorite recess game.
34. Compare and contrast two outer planets.
35. Describe an arts-and-crafts project you enjoyed making.
36. Explain how to wash dishes.
37. Tell the similarities and differences between worms and snakes.
38. Describe your daily weekday schedule.
39. What’s the most enjoyable thing about being in fourth grade?
40. Compare and contrast a cell phone versus a desktop computer.
41. What causes some birds to migrate to warmer weather during the winter?
42. What steps can be taken to eliminate bullying?
43. What do the colors and symbols on your state flag mean?
44. What are the advantages of driving vs. flying?
45. Describe the rules of your favorite p.e game.
46. Tell how to behave during a school assembly.
47. Provide examples and non-examples of effort.
48. Give the pros and cons of eating in the school cafeteria.
49. Compare and contrast the desert and the rainforest.
50. Explain how to choose a book that is “just right”.
51. Describe the purpose of a school auditorium.
Final Thoughts : Informational Writing Prompts for 4th Grade
Now you have a collection of informative prompts to add to your collection of 4th-grade writing activities.
It might be helpful to first review informative writing with students before assigning these informational writing prompts for 4th.
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