How to Write an Informative Essay and Avoid AI Detection: 8 Simple Steps for Success

When you’re assigned an informative essay for school (or even for work as a blog), your goal is to teach readers about a specific topic without persuading or arguing one side or the other. Unlike argumentative or persuasive essays, an informative essay presents the facts without taking a firm stance. The real challenge is finding that sweet spot between solid research and engaging readability. After all, nobody wants to wade through endless statistics or boring paragraphs about the history of American railroads.

While AI can speed up your writing process, there’s always a risk that AI detectors might flag your work, potentially leading to academic penalties or professional embarrassment. So, how do you write an informative essay that feels authentically human while still benefiting from AI’s efficiency? 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to write an informative essay with AI, structure it properly, edit it for a natural voice, and verify it using Phrasly’s specialized tools. By following these eight simple steps, you can craft a well-organized paper that stands out for all the right reasons.

Step 1 – Choose a Clear, Focused Topic

Picking the right subject makes all the difference when writing an informative essay. If your teacher gives you the freedom to choose, go with something you actually care about. When you're interested in what you're writing, your readers will be too.

Grab a pen and list some ideas related to your class or things you find fascinating. Ask yourself which ones would be most helpful or interesting to your audience. You can use AI to spark some initial thoughts, but always put your own spin on the final choice.

Keep your focus tight. Writing about healthy eating habits? Don't wander off into exercise routines or the history of nutrition science. Staying on point helps you create a readable essay that keeps your reader's attention and gets your message across clearly.

Step 2 – Start with Research, Not Writing

Many students wonder, “How do you start an informative essay?” Instead of jumping straight into writing, take a step back and gather information first. This approach saves you time and frustration in the long run.

Dig into academic journals, trusted news sources, books, and expert interviews related to your topic. Quality research helps you sound knowledgeable and authentic rather than generic. As you collect information, create simple notes or bullet points, grouping similar concepts together. This organization will make writing much easier later on.

Step 3 – Create a Strong Outline

Once you've gathered your research, map out your essay with a clear outline. By creating the outline of an informative essay before writing, you can better visualize how all your information connects and creates a natural flow for your paper. Include these essential sections:

• Introduction (attention-grabber and thesis)
• Body Paragraphs (each covering one main point or subtopic)
• Conclusion (wrap-up and final insights)

Having this structure in place prevents rambling and keeps your essay focused. If you're struggling to organize your thoughts, our AI Writer will help you develop a solid outline that serves as your roadmap throughout the writing process.

Step 4 – Write a Compelling Introduction

How do you make an informative essay stand out from the first line? Start with a bang! Throw in an unexpected fact, share a quick story from your own experience, or ask a question nobody's thought about yet.

Think of your intro like a funnel — wide at the top, narrow at the bottom. Begin with something broad that gets people interested, then zoom in on your specific topic. End with your thesis statement — a sentence or two that tells readers exactly what they'll learn. For example: "Energy drinks might promise a quick boost, but behind those colorful cans lurks a cocktail of chemicals that mess with teenage sleep, stress young hearts, and rewire developing brains."

Step 5 – Build Body Paragraphs with Substance

Now comes the heart of your essay. Each body paragraph needs to tackle just one idea that supports your main point. Think of each paragraph as a building block — start with your main claim, back it up with real evidence, and wrap it up by showing why it matters.

Don't just dump information on your reader. Share a fact, then explain why it's important. Tell a story that makes your point stick. Use quotes sparingly — only when someone says something better than you could.

Too often, writers list facts in sequence which ends up sounding robotic. Break that pattern. Ask questions in the middle of paragraphs. Throw in a short sentence for emphasis. Then expand on an important point with more detail. This natural up-and-down rhythm feels human because it is — it's how we actually talk and think.

Step 6 – Use Transitions and Clear Formatting

Good essays don't just dump facts — they flow. Sprinkle in transition words that guide your reader along. "However" shows contrast, "furthermore" adds information, and "consequently" shows results. Just don't overdo it with the same transitions over and over.

Pay attention to the rules when it comes to the format of an informative essay. Is your teacher expecting MLA? APA? Double-check those margins, font sizes, and citation styles before you submit.

Pro tip: Chunk your paragraphs! Nothing scares a reader away faster than a solid page of text with no breaks. Keep paragraphs short and focused – your readers (and your tired professor) will thank you.

Step 7 – Edit and Humanize Your Content

First draft all finished? Great – now comes the secret sauce. If you want to know how to make an informative essay that sounds authentically human, you need to edit it ruthlessly. 

Many students fall into writing formally stilted phrases like "furthermore, it should be noted that..." Nobody actually talks like that! Cut the fluff and say things directly. Our AI Humanizer can help spot mechanical phrases and suggest natural alternatives that won't trigger AI detectors.

Reading your work out loud is a great way to spot awkward sentences. If you stumble while reading, that sentence needs fixing. Keep tweaking until your essay sounds like something you'd actually say to someone sitting across from you.

Step 8 – Final Proofread and Submission Check

Before hitting submit, give your essay one last look. Hunt for typos, wonky grammar, and formatting mishaps that could cost you points. Make sure your citations actually match your sources – professors are sure to check.

Worried about AI detection? Run your paper through our AI Detector tool before your professor runs it through Turnitin. Our detector spots risky patterns that might get flagged, letting you fix problem areas before they become actual problems. A few quick tweaks can make the difference between a paper that passes with flying colors and one that lands you in an awkward conversation with your academic advisor.

Ace Your Informative Essay with Phrasly

Informative essays challenge even the strongest writers. But they become manageable when broken into these eight steps: pick something interesting, dig up good info, map out your thoughts, hook readers from the first sentence, build solid paragraphs, make everything flow, sound like an actual human, and check your work before submission. That's how to write an informative essay that stands out.

At Phrasly, we understand what students need. Our AI tools never leave behind telltale watermarks that alert detection systems. And unlike competitors, we offer unlimited word counts – create that detailed 3,000-word masterpiece without bumping into frustrating limitations. Whether you're struggling with initial ideas, mechanical-sounding phrasing, or detection concerns, our tools support your entire writing journey.

Jump in and get started for free today. See firsthand how our AI Writer, Humanizer, and Detector work together to help you submit papers your professors will remember for their quality and insight, not their AI fingerprints.