1. Reading Comprehension Skills and Reading Closely

2. Drawing Conclusions=Inferences Authors do not always directly state what is happening (READ BETWEEN THE LINES) Drawing conclusions refers to information that is implied or inferred Information and evidence from a passage can help readers to draw conclusions

3. Ask yourself… What do I already know that will help me draw a conclusion based on the reading? What evidence can I find from the text to support my conclusion?

4. MAIN IDEA/DETAILS Main Idea or Central Idea: the most important point the writer is making Details: facts, examples, reasons, and/or descriptions that SUPPORT and help IDENTIFY the main idea Examine details to understand key ideas in the text

5. Important Questions to Ask Yourself: What is the passage mostly about? What general point is the author trying to make? What details does the writer include or emphasize? What do the details mean all together?

6. REMEMBER… Look for a common theme/idea/point throughout the passage The topic sentence can help you focus on what the main idea may be about

7. Compare and Contrast Readers are able to find similarities or differences between facts Readers are able to use signal words to identify compare/contrast Readers are able to identify which claim is supported by specific pieces of evidence Readers are able to identify the choice that does not fit “except” questions

8. How can we recognize Compare/Contrast questions? Which claim is best supported by this sentence? Question will list multiple claims and ask students to consider each choice. Which paragraph shows how children are most like their parents? Question will ask students to make comparisons and connections throughout the passage. How does Sally’s opinion differ from John’s? Question will ask students to evaluate both passages. The passage contains all of the following EXCEPT Question will ask students to compare/contrast answers and choose the answer that DOES NOT fit

9. AUTHOR’S PURPOSE The author’s purpose is the reason why the text was written It is NOT the main idea! Authors write to do three things: – P ersuade – I nform – E ntertain

10. Important Questions to Ask Yourself: Did the author want to change your opinion? (Persuade) Did the author convince you? (Persuade) Did the author teach you something? (Inform) Did the author give you facts? (Inform) Did the author tell a story? (Entertainment) Did the author make you laugh? cry? (Entertainment)

11. REMEMBER… Prove it! Identify your answers within the text! Underline or highlight important information when reading (ANNOTATING) FUN Method-Find it! Underline it! Number it! Use context clues to help figure out unknown words!