Informational Text Notes Monday, January 17, 2011

Why do authors write? What are their purposes? To inform/ to explain/ to describe: to convey nonbiased information to people To persuade: to convince someone of something; information typically biased and one-sided To entertain: to write in order for the writing to be enjoyed by people (poems, short stories, novels, comic books, etc.)

Public Documents Governmental documents issued for public knowledge Court records, land deeds, birth & death certificates, marriage licenses, professional & business licenses, criminal records, library cards, etc.

Workplace Documents Documents used at work Communication: those used for communication – s, memos, reports (let employees know what’s going on) Instruction: those used to teach employees – employee manuals

Consumer Documents Documents used by consumers - Consumers buy two things: goods (stuff) & services (help)

Consumer Documents (cont.) Different types: – Product Information: tells what something does – Contract: tells what services are provided – Warranty: spells out what happens if something doesn’t work – Instruction Manual: how to set up/ work something – Technical Directions: precise info. about assembly & other devices

Narrative vs. Informational Remember: – Narrative: tells a story – can be fiction – Informational: explains something that is true

Tips for Reading Info. Texts 1. Numbered Steps: – Pay attention to numbered steps! Don’t do step #5 before step #2.

2. Headings & Subheadings: – Pay attention to these! They indicate that there is a new topic.

3. Boldface/ Italics: – Pay attention! They indicate there is something important! BOLDFACE ITALICS

4. Graphics & Captions: – Pay attention! These give you extra information!

Comparison/ Contrast Words: – Pay attention! These help indicate if the author is talking about similarities (comparison) or differences (contrast). – Compare Words/ Phrases: similar, as, same, in the same way, both, most important, have in common, the same as, similarly, as well as – Contrast Words/ Phrases: although, yet, whereas, however, but, while, differ, instead, unless, unlike, on the contrary, contrary to, even though, on the other hand, the reverse

6. Cause & Effect Key Words: – Pay attention! These help indicate if the author is talking about cause/ effect situations. – Key Words/ Phrases: because, so, so that, if…then, consequently, thus, since, for, for this reason, as a result of, therefore, due to, this is how, nevertheless, accordingly