Text Features Text features are parts of a written work that stand out from the rest of the text.
Title Description: The name of a book, essay, article, etc. Purpose: To hint at what the book is about.
Table of Contents Description: A list of chapters or article titles contained in the text. Found at the beginning of the text; organized by page number. Purpose: To inform the reader what topics or concepts are discussed in the book or magazine and where to find them.
Picture Description: Images or graphics found along with the text. Purpose: To help the reader visualize what the text is talking about. To catch the reader’s attention and make the text more interesting.
Caption Description: Text written in small print beneath or next to a picture. Purpose: Briefly explains what is in the picture.
Heading Description: The title of a short section within the main text. Purpose: To give readers clues about what the next part of the article is about. Helps organize the article.
Subheading Description: The title of a small section beneath the heading. Purpose: To give readers clues about what the next part of the article is about.
Bold Words These words are not bold. These words are bold. MAGIC! Description: Words in the text that are printed darker and thicker. Purpose: To draw attention to important words that should be studied or remembered. These words are not bold. These words are bold. MAGIC!
Bullet Points Description: Graphics that are used to list items or ideas in a text. Purpose: To organize and summarize a list of things or ideas.
Charts & Graphs Description: Visual representation or comparisons of information. Purpose: To organize information in a smaller, easier-to-read format.
Table Description: Summaries of facts and data written in rows and columns. Purpose: To help the reader understand facts and figures in a short time.
Footnote Description: A note at the bottom of the page explaining part of the text. Indicated by numbers or *. Purpose: To help clarify or explain part of the passage.
Glossary Description: An alphabetized list of definitions found at the end of the text. Purpose: To provide an easy reference for new vocabulary found in the text.
Insert or Inset Description: A small section of text inserted into the main body of text. Purpose: To provide extra info that is not necessary, but the reader may find interesting.
Map Description: A representation of a specific place. Purpose: To help the reader visualize where something is located.
Colored Print Description: Text written in a color other than black. Purpose: To help important information or headlines stand out.
Font\Type Change Description: A change in the size or style of the text. Purpose: To draw attention to important details or ideas.
It’s finally happening! It’s finally happening! It’s finally happening!
Index Description: An alphabetical list of names and topics and the page numbers they’re on. Found at the end of the text. Purpose: To help readers find what page a subject is discussed on.
Why Do Authors Use Text Features? To explain To entertain To emphasize To organize