Close Reading non-Fiction The 3 big questions and signposts

Works cited Reading Nonfiction : Making Nonfiction Reading Engaging and Purposeful Mary James, NBCT Co-Director Red Mountain Writing Project MidSouth Conference on Reading and Writing June 16, 2016 mjames@hoover.k12.al.us @MrsJames8th (Twitter)

Nonfiction Defined for Middle School Nonfiction is a group of texts in which the author makes claims or assertions to readers about the real world, real people, real experiences, ideas, or beliefs.

THE 3 Big Questions 1. What surprised me? 2. What did the author think I already knew? 3. What changed, challenged, or confirmed what I already knew?

Breaking down the 3 Questions

Signposts Signposts bring our attention to significant parts of nonfiction texts. They remind us to stop and to think critically about what the author is trying to tell us.

1. Contrasts & contradictions Notice and Note - What’s happening: 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, you should ask yourself, “What is the difference and why does it matter?” The answer will help you see details that show you the main idea, compare and contrast, understand the author’s purpose, infer, make a generalization, notice cause and effect

2. Extreme or absolute language Notice and Note - What’s happening: When you’re reading and you notice the author uses language that leaves no doubt, exaggerates, or pushes to the limit, you should ask yourself, “Why did the author say it like that?” The answer will tell you something about the author’s point-of-view and purpose. Or, you might realize the author is exaggerating to make you think a certain way.

3. Numbers, statistics, and diagrams Notice and Note - What’s happening: When you’re reading and you notice specific numbers, number words, or amounts, or even images and special fonts, you should stop and ask yourself, “Why did the author use these numbers or Amounts, or images?” The answers might help you come to a conclusion, make a comparison, see the details, infer, find facts, or recognize evidence.

4. Quotes Notice and Note - What’s happening: When you’re reading and you notice the author quoted a Voice of Authority, a Personal Perspective, or cited Other’s Words, stop, and ask yourself, “Why did the author quote or cite this person?” The answer will help you think about the author’s point-of-view, purpose, or conclusions, OR these words will give a perspective, facts and opinions, or a generalization.

5. Unknown or unclear words Notice and Note - What’s happening: When you’re reading and the author uses a word or phrase you don’t know, you should stop and ask, “Do I know this word from someplace else?” “Does this seem like technical talk for experts on this topic?” “Can I find clues in the sentence to help me understand the word?” The answers will help you decide if you need to look the word up, or keep reading for more information.

Practice Reading and annotating nonfiction texts 1st read: Ask yourself the 3 questions 2nd read: Use signposts to help you stop and think about the text. You don’t have to use all 5; but try to use 3. Share your signposts notes with a peer.