Name:

Nonfictional Writing
W.2: ​Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
● A. Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding
comprehension.
● B. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.
● C. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., ​also​, ​another​, ​and​, ​more​, ​but​) to connect ideas within categories of
information.
● D. Provide a concluding statement or section.

Task: ​Your class has been learning about life science. Your teacher wants each student to
write an informational article that will be displayed with your science fair project. You decide
to write about animals and their habitats. Your article will be read by other students, teachers,
and parents.

Using two sources, develop a main idea about animals and their habitats. Choose the most
important information from more than one source to support your main idea. Then, write an
informational article that is several paragraphs long. Clearly organize your article and support
your main idea with details from the sources. Use your own words except when quoting
directly from the sources. Be sure to give the source title or number when using details from
the sources.

You may use scratch paper to take notes on the information you find in the sources as you
read. You will review your notes and sources, and you will plan, draft, revise, and edit your
informational article.

Part 1: Sources for Informational Article 

 
Source #1 
You have found a source describes why the koala bear is endangered. 
 
In Danger of Extinction 
 
A species is the name for a group of animals that are alike, such as lions, 
and tigers. If a species is endangered it means there are very few of those animals left 
in the world. If all the animals in a species die, the species becomes extinct.¹ Those  
animals are gone forever.   
 
Many species are protected. A protected species means governments 
have made laws against killing the animals. 
  
 
The koala is close to being an endangered species. Interestingly, the koala is 
partly to blame for its decline. Koalas are too stubborn for their own good! 
 

 
A koala bear posing on a eucalyptus tree 
 
When you were younger, were you a picky eater? Did your parents have to  
force you to eat things that were good for you? Hopefully you listened to what they  
taught you and ate your dinner. 
 
Koalas are picky eaters. They live in tall eucalyptus trees. Many of these trees 
are also called gum trees. Koalas eat the leaves of those trees. Since there are over  
600 types of eucalyptus trees, the koala should have no trouble finding food. But  
Koalas are picky! They only want certain eucalyptus tree leaves to eat. Out of 600 
varieties of trees, koalas will only eat the leaves of about 120 kinds of eucalyptus trees. 
Some are even pickier than that. The koalas of a specific area will only eat about four 
or five kinds of eucalyptus leaves. They would rather starve than eat the other kinds. 
Now that’s being stubborn! 
 
The biggest problem for koalas now is that the brush land in Australia is being 
cut down. Towns and cities are pushing farther into the brush. Since many koalas  
live there, they are losing their tree homes and the trees’ leaves that feed them. 
 
¹extinct: no longer existing or living. 
 
Source Used 
 
K12Reader (2012). In danger of extinction. 
Retrieved from ​http://www.k12reader.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source #2 
You have found a source that describes why animals face endangerment. 
 
Endangered Species 
 
Today, some types of animals are an ​endangered ​species. This means there 
are very few animals of that kind left on Earth. The animals could face ​extinction​. 
Extinction is when all the animals of that kind die. When a type of animal is extinct, 
it is gone forever. 
 
One problem for animals is that their habitat is sometimes destroyed by  
humans. As human populations increase, more and more space is needed for 
people . Building areas for people to live pushed animals out of their natural homes. 
Forest and swamp habitats are the most threatened. Trees are cut down to make  
Room for homes and businesses. Swamps are filled in so that neighborhoods can   
expand. The habitat is destroyed. The animals have nowhere else to go. Without 
a habitat, the number of animals begins to go down.   
 
Humans must prevent the extinction of animals due to the loss of their habitat. 
We have to become more aware of animal populations when considering building 
and expansion projects. Other options may not be a convenient, but the survival of  
The animals needs to be taken into consideration. Better planning and an awareness 
If how human actions affect animals can make a difference. It is still possible to  
maintain a diverse animal population for future generations to enjoy. 
 
Another major cause of endangerment of animals is overhunting by humans. 
The practice of shooting animals as a sport can quickly bring the animals to extinction. 
This is a worldwide problem. The governments of countries around the world must 
unite to agree on laws regarding animals. Some animals may have large enough 
populations so hunting will not endanger them. Others must be protected. 
 
There is still hope for animals who are already on the endangered species list. 
Some organizations are working hard to recreate habitats for them. Breeding programs 
are helping animal populations increase. We all have to be aware and think before we act. 
The things we do can affect more than just ourselves.   
 
Source Used 
 
K12Reader (2012). Endangered species. 
Retrieved from ​http://www.k12reader.com