Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
How to Read Nonfiction texts
2
What is a signpost? A way to organize information from a nonfiction text. A way to track information in reading and expand on the information given while being an active reader Signposts have 3 key components: A quote or textual evidence Identifying the type of signpost you noticed Notes and analysis on the quote or textual evidence
3
Quoted Words What to look for: When you’re reading and you notice the author quote a Voice of Authority, a Personal Perspective or cited Other’s Words. Note: Voice of Authority - someone who does the job Personal Perspective - someone who was there Other’s Words - what someone else at a different time said about the event Ask yourself: Why did the author quote or cite this person? Some keywords to look for: Any phrase with a set of quotation marks
4
Numbers and Stats What to look for: When you’re reading and you notice specific numbers, number words, or amounts Note: a number could be spelled out with letters or written as a traditional number, fraction, or decimal Ask yourself: Why did the author use these numbers or amounts? Some additional keywords: many, often, occasionally, few
5
Extreme or Absolute Language
What to look for: When you’re reading and you notice the author uses language that leaves no doubt, exaggerates, or pushes the limit Note: This could also be a blanket statement, use of bandwagon, or loaded words Ask yourself: Why did the author say it like that? Some keywords to look for: never, none, totally, unquestionably, hardest, meanest, hungriest, perfectly, completely, absolutely, unconditionally, entirely, always, arguably
6
Contrasts and Contradictions
What to look for: When you’re reading and the author shows you a difference between what YOU know and what is happening in the text OR A difference between two or more things in the text Ask yourself: What is the difference and why does it matter? Some keywords to look for: however, unlike, different from, instead, yet, otherwise, alternatively, by contrast, on the other hand
7
Word Gaps What to look for: When you’re reading and the author uses a word or phrase you don’t know Ask yourself: Do I know this word from some place else? OR Does this seem like technical talk for experts of this topic? OR Can I find clues in the sentence to help me understand the word?
8
Let’s apply these strategies!
John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address
9
Step 1: Background Information
Who was John F. Kennedy? What is an inaugural address? What does inaugural mean?
10
Step 2: Read Through the Text
Mark anything that is interesting or confusing to you Are there words you don’t know? Look them up!
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.