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Informational Writing Anchor Charts—What Types There Are

Teaching writing can be challenging. Students have different learning abilities and take more or less time to take in information about writing and various styles. In the early stages, they all struggle with consistency in their writing and often overlap between writing styles and formats, which only practice and repetition can fix.

An anchor chart is a great tool to help you with that. This chart can help them visualize different writing concepts and stay on track while writing. They can use it as a reminder they can always go back to when they get stuck .

In this article, we’ll explain what types of informational writing anchor charts there are. We’ll also show you how to find top-quality anchor charts on Teach Simple.

Table of Contents

What is an informational writing anchor chart, different types of informational writing anchor charts, what you should look for in a good informational writing anchor chart, use teach simple to find informational writing anchor charts easily, informational writing resources from teachsimple, informational writing anchor charts from other sources, thoughts to take away about informational writing anchor charts.

An informational writing anchor chart is a teaching resource that helps students get a visual idea of what informational writing is. It also gives them a reference point during revision . As such, your anchor charts should be colorful and playfully designed so that students can memorize information more easily and find learning about it more fun.

You should use these charts to help your students distinguish between informational writing and other forms of writing. For example, you should show that they need to present facts and information in a specific, unbiased way, while opinion writing should focus on their opinion and feelings.

Depending on your lesson objective , you can use various anchor charts to help you present the information to students. Informational writing anchor charts can focus on different writing formats, ideas to enhance the writing style, or general approaches to writing.

The most common types of writing anchor charts are:

• How-to writing anchor chart
• Adding details anchor chart
• Thesis anchor chart
• Letter format anchor chart

The point of informational writing is to tell the reader something. A good anchor chart must make this clear. It should be stated that the aim of informational writing is to explain something, by giving points and evidence.

The chart will thus make it clear that the content is important. It must also make sure the students know that the way the content is organized is also important. This means that a good informational writing anchor chart must have at least two elements:

• An explanation of what elements should be included in a piece of informational writing.

This can be done by using a text, or giving specific examples on the chart.

• An outline template to serve as a guide to structuring a good piece of informational writing.

A good informational writing chart must also tell the students that the technique is to write the content step-by-step. This can be demonstrated to them using an example. Even more effectively, they can do an activity where they are given a template and the must follow certain steps, or answer key questions.

How-To Writing Anchor Chart

How-to writing consists of explaining the process of something to the reader. Students should think of the steps the reader needs to take in order to complete something. A how-to writing chart should show students they have to focus on the structure to make instructions clear to readers. This chart can also be split into several charts that explain different text elements, such as introduction, body, and conclusion.

Adding Details to Writing Anchor Chart By Fishy Robb

Students tend to keep their writing minimalistic, but that’s rarely by design. An adding details anchor chart helps them enrich their writing by giving them something they can look to for more details until it becomes natural for them to start writing more colorfully by themselves.

This chart should have several segments to it, including:

• Visual description
• Emotional description

Thesis Anchor Chart By Teaching With A Mountain View

A thesis statement is the main idea statement that lets readers know what they’re going to read about without being too direct about it. A thesis anchor chart introduces various statement starters and examples in which you should use them. You can make these charts interactive by getting students to make up a sentence for each starter.

The most common thesis statement starters include:

• Even though

Letter Format Anchor Chart By Mrs. Ferrari’s Grade 3 Class!

Writing letters has strict rules you should abide by. Every letter has a format it needs to stick to and different sentences you have to use, depending on who you’re sending the letter to and for what reason. A letter format anchor chart lets students remind themselves about different rules, such as when to use faithfully or sincerely , whether they should go formal or informal, and so on.

Creating informational writing anchor charts can be time-consuming, especially if you’re not too familiar with the process. If you’re looking for anchor charts online, you should use a trustworthy source, such as Teach Simple.

Teach Simple offers thousands of lesson plans , anchor charts, and other materials for students from preschool to high school. The platform covers dozens of subjects and topics, including writing. The best part is that all contributors are experienced teachers who know what it takes to keep students engaged and motivated to learn.

Informational Essay Prompt on Hurricanes and Outline Sheet with articles By Educate and Create

This is an informational resource about How are Hurricanes Formed? It is aimed at Grades 5 – 8. You can create your own anchor chart from the content of the resource. The pack includes two articles and a graph that you can use as a reference. There is an outline sheet for the structure of an expository essay, which you can use as a template for the anchor chart. Work with the students to fill this in, then they can write the essay on their own. You can also use the basic pattern as the template to write from other sources.

Trail of Tears Informative Writing Unit By Life Beyond the Gradebook

This Trail of Tears Informative Writing Unit is a whole resource pack. It is aimed at grades 3 – 6. The pack contains a poster that you can use as an anchor chart. The aim of the unit is to teach the students the process of informational writing. Students can work with the three articles that are supplied. Part of the resource is a guide to construct a response to the texts. You can also use the graphic organizer as the basis for a referential anchor chart in your class.

How To Wash A Dog By Simply Schoolgirl

This resource guides the students How to Wash a Dog . It is aimed at Grades 1 – 3. Three anchor charts are part of the contents of the pack. You can display these in the class, or use them as the basis of individual or group work. One of the anchor charts is an editing checklist the students can apply to their writing. You can use the anchor chart on transition words to teach the students the vocabulary, or revise words they already know.

Informational Paragraph Writing Graphic Organizer By The Language of Learning

This Graphic Organizer is the perfect template to teach students to plan and structure an informational paragraph. You can also print the chart as a worksheet the students can use when you give them an exercise to write an informational piece of writing. A good way to use this template would be as part of a group work assignment. Give the students a piece of informational writing to work on in groups. Each student could be assigned a paragraph to work on, using this sheet as a guide.

Informational Writing By Mama Teaches

This chart gives important for Informative Writing. This eye-catching chart is a memorable and engaging method to introduce the idea of informational writing. The image has been used effectively to show the logic of the way an informational text develops logically.

Informational Writing By The Creative Colorful Classroom

This anchor chart on Informational Writing is great to be used in the lower grades, but can be adapted for just about any grade. What is most valuable about the chart is the use of a real idea to work with. This chart and image of a hand were used to assist students with the structure of an informational writing work.

Informational Text Structures By Teaching With A Mountain View

This anchor chart is presented in the form of a game based on Text Structured Sort . The approach is an impressive way of teaching the students about how to structure an informational text. The different columns identify different aspects of a text. There are 20 cards, each with a sentence written on it. The cards work in sets of five that can be put on the chart to create a short informational paragraph on one of the topics. The students can solve the ‘puzzle’ of filling in all the blanks. You can also simply use the basic chart as a template for the students to work on their own topics.

Informational Writing By Ashleigh’s Education Journey

This chart presents the logical structure of a piece of Informational Writing . You can take the students through the numbered steps to teach them to structure their work. Begin by leaving the blocks blank. Then, guide the students through what they need for each stage of the writing. When you have the plan on the chart like in the picture, the students can use it as a guide to write specific informational texts.

Introduce The Topic By What I Have learned

This is a fairly straightforward chart that aids the students in determining how to present their topic. It drives home to the pupils how well-structured informational writing is. This is also made clear and the internal structure of the writing is identified by the steps that are stated.

You can sign up for Teach Simple for free during a 30-day trial and make unlimited downloads free of charge. You’ll find thousands of informational writing anchor charts and other charts for writing.

Check out our top pick:

• Writing With a Purpose Anchor Chart
• Anchor Charts for Writing
• Trail of Tears Informative Writing Unit
• How to Wash a Dog – Writing and Sequencing Activity
• How To Mail a Letter—Writing and Sequencing Activity
• How To Make a Valentine—Writing and Sequencing Activity
• Organizing Writing Paragraphs Worksheet
• How To Carve a Pumpkin—Writing and Sequencing Activity
• How To Wash a Car—Writing and Sequencing Activity
• Types of Expository Writing Worksheet
• How To Decorate a Christmas Tree—Writing and Sequencing Activity
• Tell Us About It Expository Writing Activity
• Story Writing Organizer
• Daily Bell Ringers Writing Prompts for Winter
• Informational Paragraph Writing Graphic Organizer
• Reading and Writing in Cursive
• Comparing Expository Texts Worksheet

Because informational writing needs to be precise and well-structured, anchor charts are one of the best tools to use when teaching this form. A good anchor chart will present an outline for organizing the content of the text logically and efficiently. It will also allow the students to work at writing their own informational texts while using a pattern.

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Jane B has been in education for 37 years, teaching at all levels of school and at university, with extensive experience in developing educational resources.

We have a lot of interesting articles and educational resources from a wide variety of authors and teaching professionals.

What Is An Opinion Writing Anchor Chart And Where To Find One Online

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Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by Teach Simple

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40 Must-Have Anchor Charts for Teaching Writing of All Kinds

Writing information and inspiration for all!

When it comes to writing, many kids struggle to get their ideas down on paper. That’s why we’ve rounded up all the best writing anchor charts, to help your students master narrative, transitions, punctuation, editing, theme, and so much more! Try some of these ideas in your classroom to give your kids the writing support they need.

1. Why Writers Write

First and second graders will draw inspiration from this fun-filled anchor chart about why we write. Make this chart applicable to older students by expanding on each aspect with a specific audience or goal. “To share experiences” can become “to share experiences with friends, in a postcard, or with readers of a memoir.”

Source: Cara Carroll

2. Expanding Sentences

Show students how a simple sentence can become a real powerhouse by exploring when, where, how, and why, along with adding adjectives. So powerful!

Source: Upper Elementary Snapshots/Expanding Sentences

3. Personal Narrative

Personal narrative is a style that all students practice in elementary school, and writing anchor charts can help keep them on track. Visit the link below for great worksheets to use with your students to prepare them to write their personal narratives.

Source: Rachel’s Reflections

4. Hook Your Reader

Want to know how to draw the reader in and make them eager to continue? You need a hook! Teach students how to grab a reader’s attention from the get-go, pulling them in with facts, questions, or even sound effects.

Source: Little Minds at Work

5. Point of View

Learn the differences between first person (I), second person (you), and third person (narrator), and talk about when each type is effective.

Source: Oh Boy … It’s Farley!

6. Organized Paragraph

Use a stoplight to help early elementary students understand and write clear paragraphs. As students are editing their work, have them read with green, yellow, and red pencils in hand so they can see how their paragraphs are hooking and engaging readers. See a video of this chart in action here.

7. Practicing Transitions

There are more stoplight writing anchor charts, and this one is perfect for helping students learn and practice their transition words. Draw the stoplight first and invite students to help come up with different words. Then encourage students to put the transition words into practice.

Source: A Happy, Hungry, Healthy Girl

8. Author’s Perspective

Sometimes, an author’s opinion comes out strongly in their writing, even if they don’t state it up front. Use this chart to help students find the clues to an author’s perspective.

Source: Crafting Connections/Author’s Perspective

9. Author’s Purpose Pie

This is a quick and easy anchor chart to help students see different types of writing. It’ll also help them do a quick check to make sure their writing aligns.

Source: Literacy Ideas

10. Dig Deeper

Keep going! Sometimes it’s hard to express what you mean by certain writing and revision requests, and writing anchor charts can show exactly what you mean. Now students can get a good look at what it means to dig deeper.

Source: Pinterest

11. Alternatives to “Said”

If your students are learning about writing dialogue, an anchor chart like this could really come in handy. Encourage students to try other ways to have their characters respond.

Source: ESL Amplified

12. Understanding Character

Before you can write about character, you first have to understand it. This anchor chart will help your young writers understand the difference between inside and outside characteristics.

Source: Teacher Trap

13. Diving Deeper Into Character

Now that your students understand the difference between inside and outside characteristics, dive deeper into describing a specific character. This anchor chart is a wonderful idea because students can write their idea(s) on a sticky note and then add it.

Source: Crafting Connections/Teach and Task Lessons

14. Six Traits of Writing

This anchor chart is jam-packed with things to help fourth- and fifth-grade writers remember the six traits of writing. Use the chart as a whole-class reference or laminate it to use in small groups. When it’s laminated, students can check off each aspect they’ve included in their own writing. Meaningful dialogue? Check! Problem and solution? Check!

Source: Working 4 the Classroom

15. Writing Realistic Fiction

This anchor chart reminds upper elementary students how to create realistic stories. It really walks your students through the process, so they have all the elements they need to create their own stories.

Source: Two Writing Teachers/Realistic Fiction

16. Sequence of Events

Help early elementary students stay organized with an anchor chart that’s focused on order-of-events language. Tactile learners can write their first drafts on sentence strips and use this format to put the events in order before they transcribe their work onto writing paper.

Source: Life in First Grade

17. Informational Text Structures

Focus upper elementary students on the most important aspects of informational writing while keeping them organized. This chart could be used to support paragraph writing or essays.

Source: Teaching With a Mountain View/Informational Text Structures

18. OREO Opinion Writing

This deliciously inspired opinion anchor chart can be used by students in grades 3–5 during writers workshop or when developing an opinion for discussion or debate. To build out student writing, have them “double-stuff” their OREOs with extra E examples. See a video featuring this chart here.

19. Features of a Great Report

Use examples of outstanding student work to make this anchor chart. Keep it relevant by updating the examples with student work throughout the year. In kindergarten, this will also showcase how students move from prewriting and pictures to writing words and sentences.

Source: Joyful Learning in KC

20. Write From the Heart

Sometimes the hardest part about writing is coming up with whom and what you should write about. This is the fun part, though! Use this anchor chart to remind your students that they have lots of good writing options.

Source: First Grade Parade via Cara Carroll

21. Argument Writing

Use this anchor chart with middle schoolers to make sure they’re considering all sides of an argument, not just the one that matters the most to them. One way to adapt this chart, as students develop their understanding of argument, is to write each element—claim, argument, evidence—under a flap that students can lift if they need a reminder.

Source: Literacy & Math Ideas

22. Writing Process

This is an anchor chart you’ll direct your students to again and again. The writing process has several steps, and it’s good to remind students of this so they don’t get frustrated.

Source: What’s Skow-ing On in Fourth Grade?

23. Writing Checklist

For those young writers in your class, these cover the basics in a clear way.

Source: Kindergarten Chaos

24. RACE for Writing

Use the RACE mnemonic when your students are working on persuasive writing. It reminds them to cite their sources and be sure to answer the question being asked.

Source: @mrspuffer

25. Cause and Effect

Cause and effect will always be an essential part of any story. Help your students come up with different scenarios for cause and effect. In many instances, you could have multiples effects, so challenge your students to identify three to four at a time. This will really give them something to write about!

Source: 2nd Grade Superheroes

26. A Strong Lead

This upper-grade anchor chart gives students lots of ways to start their writing. Update it midyear with strong examples of leads that students have written or that they’ve found in books. Students could also copy this chart into their notebooks and keep track of the different ways they’ve started their own writing, seeing if they’ve developed a signature lead.

Source: Miss Klohn’s Classroom

27. Crafting Power Sentences

Inspire students to get crafty and creative with their sentences. Update the moods or keywords with every writing assignment, so students are constantly refining their clauses, verbs, and descriptions.

Source: Teaching My Friends

28. Show, Don’t Tell

“Show, don’t tell” is a cardinal rule of writing. This anchor chart, best for upper elementary writers, can be used to strengthen scenes in fiction and narrative nonfiction works. Build out this chart for middle school writers with additional ideas and more complex emotions.

Source: Upper Elementary Snapshots/Show, Don’t Tell

29. Narrative Organizer

Leave this chart up in your classroom for your students to reference often when they’re writing. It really takes them through creating a successful story.

30. Expository Writing

This chart makes it easy for students to remember key concepts, both with color-coding and simple metaphors. Give them colored pencils and ask them to underline the corresponding sections in their essays.

Source: Adventures of a Future Teacher

31. Peer Editing

Peer editing teaches kids a variety of skills, and not just with writing. They learn to read closely, offer (and accept) useful constructive feedback, and get more comfortable sharing their writing with others. This chart helps kids through the sometimes-challenging process.

Source: Taleof2Teachers

32. Strong Sentences

Get early elementary students to write longer, more descriptive sentences with this chart. Bonus: Use sentence strips to switch out the examples of strong sentences, based on student writing.

Source: The Good Life

33. Internal Story

This chart gives students the language to add their own thoughts to their writing. Modify this chart by highlighting key phrases for students with special needs. Or have students create different thought-bubble icons to represent each internal dialogue sentence starter.

Source: Totally Terrific in Texas

34. Evidence Supported

Upper elementary students will benefit from reminders on how to refer to and cite text evidence. Use this anchor chart during writing and discussion to help connect the language that we use across domains.

Source: History Tech

35. Publishing Guidelines

Kids are often quick to turn in their papers without making sure they’ve included all the necessary requirements (like their names!). Use this chart to remind them about the important things to check for before they hand in their work.

Source: Juice Boxes and Crayolas

36. Figurative Language

As you teach your students about figurative language and how to use it, you’ll want to have examples. This anchor chart dives into five different concepts. Each of these could actually be its own anchor chart. Perhaps have your students come up with examples on sticky notes and then place them on the chart.

Source: Willow Grove Elementary School

37. Forms of Poetry

Introducing poetry types to your students? This anchor chart covers the basics and helps kids remember that not all poetry needs to rhyme.

Source: ELA Anchor Charts

38. CUPS and ARMS

This is a popular method for teaching kids to revise and edit as well as the difference between the two. Simple acronyms keep the key strategies close at hand.

Source: Amy Lemons

39. Spicy Edits

Encourage your students to think of their writing like a recipe, which they can always tweak and improve. Have them choose one element, or “spice,” to add to their work as they revise.

Source: Beyond Zebra/Pinterest

40. Writing Buddies

Sometimes students can get stuck when working with writing buddies, but writing anchor charts can help. This one encourages students to be positive and make good, thoughtful suggestions.

Source: Apostrophe Books Twitter

What are your favorite writing anchor charts? Share your ideas in our  WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group  on Facebook.

Plus, find out why the “hamburger” essay has gone stale, and what to try instead ..

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Informational conclusion anchor chart.

Description

Here is a simple anchor chart to explain how to write a conclusion for Informational Writing. This product can be used as a classroom poster or a student resource.

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