Answer:
Generating a research question.
Step-by-step 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 (especially when it is beyond the writer's scope of expertise).
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.