Your informational essay should include the following elements:

an introduction with a clear thesis stating the writer’s main point
several supporting ideas that develop the main idea
specific details that provide additional information about those supporting ideas such as facts, examples, or personal experiences
a conclusion that restates the writer’s main ideas
Make sure your essay is clearly organized. How you organize your essay will depend on your approach to the topic. Some possible organizational approaches are described below.

You might use chronological order to describe how a custom or tradition evolved over time.
You might use compare-and-contrast structure to explain an unfamiliar custom or tradition by relating it to one that your readers will be more familiar with.
You might use cause-and-effect structure to explain why a culture follows a particular custom or tradition.
You might use developmental order or order of importance to present facts and ideas about your custom or tradition.


The essay presents
a clear thesis
about a cultural
custom or
tradition. Ideas
and details in the
essay are
consistently
relevant to the
thesis.
The essay is
consistently wellorganized. It
follows a clear
organizational
pattern.
Transitions are
used consistently
and effectively
within and
between
paragraphs.
The essay
consistently
develops the thesis
with details,
specific examples,
and explanations.
The essay
consistently uses
precise word
choice and
varied sentences.
The voice reflects
the writer’s
personality and is
appropriate to the
subject and
audience.
The essay
contains few or no
errors in grammar,
usage, and
spelling.