Text Features Information for this presentation is taken from the following source: Reader’s Handbook, A Student Guide to Reading and Learning by Great Source Social Studies, The World by Scott Foresman

Human beings have important elements in their bodies such as a heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain. These elements stand out from other features of our body.

Textbooks and informational text also have important elements that stand out from the other parts of the text.

While reading informational text, you have probably seen some or all of the following: Boldface terms Charts & Graphs Glossary Headings and Titles Index Maps Photos and Illustrations Preview Table of contents Caption Timeline

These are called Text Features and their purpose is to help us understand the information presented.

Social Studies text, The World, page 45 Boldface Social Studies text, The World, page 45 boldface type is a signal to: Slow Down and Pay Attention signals that a word, term, or event is important different ways to make words stand out in text include: CAPITALS, color, italics, underline, highlight

Charts gives information, show processes or make comparisons Social Studies text, The World, page 43 Social Studies text, The World, page 544 gives information, show processes or make comparisons packs lots of information in a small space a great resource to help you understand information in the text

Social Studies text, The World, page R58 Glossary Social Studies text, The World, page R58 alphabetical list of key people, places, events, and terms. a tool to help you understand the language of the subject

Graphs uses pictures and symbols to show information Social Studies text, The World, page 104 Social Studies text, The World, page 562 uses pictures and symbols to show information a graph is shown to make a point always read the graph’s title, labels on the vertical and horizontal axes, and any other text included with the graph

Headings and Titles announces the topics that will be covered Social Studies text, The World, page 10 Social Studies text, The World, page 12 announces the topics that will be covered allows us to be efficient in our reading -- skim the headings to focus on the purpose of our reading increase your comprehension by turning headings and titles into a question -- as you continue to read, can you answer your “question”?

Social Studies text, The World, page R68 Index found at the very back of a textbook gives the location of every important idea, term, definition, person, and place. a search tool to help you find what you need Social Studies text, The World, page R68

Maps When reading a map, pay attention to the following: Social Studies text, The World, page H17 Lines Symbols Labels Compass Rose Lines of Longitude and Latitude Scale Colors Legend or Key

Photos and Illustrations Captions: Single words, short phrases, sentences, or paragraphs that accompany illustrations, photographs, or diagrams. Social Studies text, The World, page 24 photos and illustrations are used to emphasize or make important points read the captions captions tell you the reason for putting the picture or illustration in the text captions say in a few lines, what the author takes paragraphs to explain

Preview Many textbooks include a preview at the beginning of chapters. Social Studies text, The World, page 8 Social Studies text, The World, page 18 acts like a summary packs into one small space, all of the important things to know about a chapter key terms and important vocabulary will often be listed in the preview

Timeline Information that expands upon the text and is placed in chronological order. Social Studies text, The World, page 570 Social Studies text, The World, pages 4-5

Table of Contents A list of book’s sections found in the front to let the reader know what is contained in the book. * we’ll talk about reference material at the back of the book Social Studies text, The World, page xii Social Studies text, The World, page iii

Social Studies text, The World, page 251 Bullets, Asterisks, & Stars A list of important information or facts that can be found in the text. Social Studies text, The World, page 251

Insets and Sidebars Additional information found in boxes or at the side of the page. Social Studies text, The World, page 253 Social Studies text, The World, page 254

Diagrams & Cutaways An illustration of an object or an inside look at what is being discussed that is usually labeled. Social Studies text, The World, page 45 Social Studies text, The World, page 291

… and now you are saying, “So What?”.

Here’s the, “So What!”. Putting text features into use will help you understand more of your reading, and probably allow you to do it in less time!!!!

You can use text features to become more successful and efficient in your reading of informational text.

So, next time you have a reading assignment to complete, pay attention to the text features as you read. See if you can put them to use to increase your comprehension and maybe you will even finish your assignment in less time.