This page has instructions and examples for composing summaries and "how to" paragraphs. Both are examples of writing to inform.
Composing a summary is easy. First, write a topic sentence. This sentence should tell the reader what the rest of the paragraph is about. Then, write several sentences that give the reader the characters, setting, and important information only. Next, write a concluding sentence. Read the following summary paragraph for the story Luka's Quilt.
Luka's Quilt
This story is mostly about a little girl named Luka who lives in Hawaii. Luka's grandmother ,Tutu, decides to make a quilt for Luka. Luka is very excited until she gets the quilt and realizes it doesn't have any colors except for green and white. When she tells Tutu that she thought her quilt would have many colors, Tutu is sad. Finally, Tutu comes up with a solution for the quilt. She makes a small quilt with flowers to lay on top of the green and white quilt. Luka loves the little quilt, and everyone is happy. That's what this story is mostly about.
Composing a "how to" paragraph is easy. First, write a topic sentence. Then, write each thing that needs to be done. Finally, write an ending sentence. Read the following "how to" paragraph.
How to Make a Story Web
Making a story web is easy. First, read a good book. Then, get a sheet of paper and draw five circles. Put one circle in the center of the paper and the other four around the center circle. Make the circles big enough to write in. Put the title and author of the book in the center circle. Then, write the main characters in one of the circles. Next, put the setting in another circle. Finally, write the problem in one circle and the solution in the remaining circle. Now you're done!