Features of NonFiction Prose How do the features

Features of Non-Fiction Prose “How do the features of non-fiction text aid in comprehension? ”

Activator • Create a list of fiction and non -fiction texts • What are the main differences between these two types of prose?

When reading non-fiction, the lack of a narrator may slow you down or make it more difficult to understand what you are reading. We look for text features to guide our reading.

Common Text Features of Non-Fiction • • Headings Keywords Transition Words Numbered Lists Footnotes Graphics Captions

Types of Non-Fiction Prose • • • Newspapers Magazines Textbooks Articles Autobiographies Biographies

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction 1. Look for numbered lists that tell you the order for completing steps. What is the author’s purpose in this example (to inform, to describe, to persuade, to explain, to entertain)? What is the type of text (descriptive, technical, narrative)?

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction 2. Titles and headings give the reader a clue as to what the passage will be about.

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction 3. Subheadings guide your reading by drawing your attention to specific information within the main topic. Based on these subheadings, what would the main heading be?

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction 4. Key words found in boldface or italics indicate important information such as definitions.

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction 5. Graphics also indicate important information Often times graphics help to simplify a complex idea. .

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • A diagram or illustration is a drawing that explains an idea or concept. • When have you used a diagram, or when do you think a diagram would be helpful?

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • A timeline puts a series of events in chronological order. • Explain a scenario when a timeline would be beneficial.

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • A map is a representation (the basic shape) of a certain area that shows physical, political, or other information. • How do maps make an impact in non-fiction texts?

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • Graphs show a relationship between two or more items.

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • Charts are visual representations of information where the information is shown as a symbol.

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • A table organizes a large amount of information into an easy to read format. • Give a specific example of when a table would be beneficial.

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • A caption explains what is seen or shown in a picture. Captions usually elaborate on the text or give extra information not found in the text.

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • Footnotes are a note of reference, explanation or comment that is placed below the printed text. * Footnotes may be in the form of a table or chart and can show where information originated.

How do footnotes help a reader understand the text?

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • Watch for transition words or phrases that introduce the opposite of what’s come before: • but • yet • however • by contrast • by comparison • at other times • others believe • on the other hand

Tips for Reading Non-Fiction • Also look for phrases that explain the effect of something: • therefore • as a result • consequently • at that point • because • this results in • since • if…then

It may help to understand how air bags work. When a vehicle is involved in a moderate to severe crash, a signal is sent from a control box to the inflator in the air bag. At that point, a chemical reaction occurs, releasing enough harmless gas to inflate the bag in a fraction of a second. Because air bags inflate so quickly, serious injuries can occur to anyone sitting too close to the air bag. The key to avoiding injury from an air bag inflation is to sit far enough away from the air bag. Sit back against the seat and always wear a seat belt. If you are twelve or younger, sit in a back seat instead. What phrases in this text suggest an effect?

It may help to understand how air bags work. When a vehicle is involved in a moderate to severe crash, a signal is sent from a control box to the inflator in the air bag. At that point, a chemical reaction occurs, releasing enough harmless gas to inflate the bag in a fraction of a second. Because air bags inflate so quickly, serious injuries can occur to anyone sitting too close to the air bag. The key to avoiding injury from an air bag inflation is to sit far enough away from the air bag. Sit back against the seat and always wear a seat belt. If you are twelve or younger, sit in a back seat instead. What phrases in this text suggest an effect?

Assignment • Text Structure Packet (tables, charts, timelines) • Textbook Scavenger Hunt (with a non-fiction text)

Informational Text Features Examples and Explanations Headings Example: Page Number: How is this helpful? Boldface or italic words and phrases Example: Page Number: How is this helpful? Graphics Example: Page Number: How is this helpful? (maps, charts, illustrations, captions, diagrams, tables, footnotes etc…) Sidebar Paragraph breaks Example: Page Number: [End of Section] How is this helpful?

Power Questions 1. Table of Contents Deciding On A Recipe. . . . 2 Gathering Ingredients. . . . 6 Making the Cake. . . . . 9 Cleanup. . . . 15 Glossary of Cooking Terms. . . . . 18 Alphabetical Index. . . . . 19 In this book on baking cakes, you want to know if the author discusses using a hand mixer to mix the cake batter. You can look on page ___. A. ) B. ) C. ) D. ) 6 9 18 19

Power Questions 1. Table of Contents Deciding On A Recipe. . . . 2 Gathering Ingredients. . . . 6 Making the Cake. . . . . 9 Cleanup. . . . 15 Glossary of Cooking Terms. . . . . 18 Alphabetical Index. . . . . 19 In this book on baking cakes, you want to know if the author discusses using a hand mixer to mix the cake batter. You can look on page ___. A. ) B. ) C. ) D. ) 6 9 18 19

2. When reading a science passage about the parts of a flower, which of the following text features would be most helpful to you? A. ) a chart B. ) a map C. ) a graph D. ) an illustration

2. When reading a science passage about the parts of a flower, which of the following text features would be most helpful to you? A. ) a chart B. ) a map C. ) a graph D. ) an illustration

3. Your new reading assignment from your science book is a chapter entitled "The Secret Life of Snakes. " Where would be the best place to find on which page this chapter begins? A. ) Index B. ) Table of Contents C. ) Glossary D. ) Endnotes

3. Your new reading assignment from your science book is a chapter entitled "The Secret Life of Snakes. " Where would be the best place to find on which page this chapter begins? A. ) Index B. ) Table of Contents C. ) Glossary D. ) Endnotes

4. thermal energy 325, 327 -329, 332, 334. See alsoheat defined, 336 mechanical energy, 348 -356 states of matter, 357 -358 temperature scales, 382 -385 Based on the index entry, where can you find a definition of thermal energy? A. ) B. ) C. ) D. ) chapter 336 page 384 page 357 page 336

4. thermal energy 325, 327 -329, 332, 334. See alsoheat defined, 336 mechanical energy, 348 -356 states of matter, 357 -358 temperature scales, 382 -385 Based on the index entry, where can you find a definition of thermal energy? A. ) B. ) C. ) D. ) chapter 336 page 384 page 357 page 336

5. Which body of water lies to the south of Italy and Greece? A. ) B. ) C. ) D. ) Atlantic Ocean Adriatic Sea Mediterranean Sea Red Sea

5. Which body of water lies to the south of Italy and Greece? A. ) B. ) C. ) D. ) Atlantic Ocean Adriatic Sea Mediterranean Sea Red Sea

6. According to the family tree, who is Sid’s wife? A. ) B. ) C. ) Diane Becky Ashley Jill

6. According to the family tree, who is Sid’s wife? A. ) B. ) C. ) Diane Becky Ashley Jill

Summarizer • Absent Student Letter – Explain to an absent student how he/she can use text features to better understand non-fiction prose.