1. Elements of Non-Fiction

2. Titles Show the main idea of the text
Gives a preview of what the reader is about to read
Helps the reader make connections

3. Title

4. Table of Contents
Lists the major parts of the book and the page numbers
It outlines the main topics of the book
Helps the reader locate information

5. What would you learn about in Chapter 3?
SOILS

6. Subheadings Divide the text into sections
Tell the main idea of each section
Bolded or different colors to focus attention
Help readers locate information

7. Photos/Pictures Captions Help give information in a visual way
Help the reader better understand an idea
Work together with the text to teach information
Captions
Text that tells about a picture or photograph
Helps the reader better understand information
that may not be in the text.

8. What is a question you can ask yourself? Where is the subheading?
What would you write as the caption for the watermelon picture?

9. Diagrams Shows or explains something
Has labels, text and captions to help the reader better understand the diagram
Help the reader better understand how something is made, steps, or the information in the text

10. What does this diagram
Explain?
Photosynthesis

11. Text: Bold, Color, Italics
The style or color of a word sends a message about how to read the text
Important key words are bolded or in color, or both
Italics help words in captions, pictures, titles, and text stand out
Pay close attention to bold text, colored text, or italicized text

12. What is the bolded word?
Why is it bolded?

13. Index
Is an alphabetical listing of key names, terms, events, places, and topics with page numbers.
Helps readers find the information they are looking for.
Usually found at the end of the book.

14. information on magnets, what page would this information be on?
ABC
Order
If you were looking for
information on magnets,
what page would this information be on?
E 10

15. Glossary An alphabetical list of key terms and their definition
Sometimes will tell you how to pronounce the word
Helps the reader better understand key words
Usually found at the end of the book.

16. What’s the definition of reflection?B C
order
What’s the definition of reflection?

17. Resources
Pictures taken from:
Frank, M. S. (2000). Science. Boston: Harcourt School Publishers.