Answer:
Generating a research question.
Explanation:
We should first of all understand the purpose of an informative essay. As the name implies, it is an essay intended to inform the readers about a particular subject matter.
As a result, it is only natural that proper research is conducted before an informative essay is drafted out <em>(especially when it is beyond the writer's scope of expertise).</em>
Hence, the first step in writing an informative essay is generating a research question. A research question is a simple question that an informative essay is set out to answer.
Once this is done at the first stage helps keep the writer's work well organized and clear.