Navigating Non-Fiction

What COLOR is the American Alligator? Spend 1 minute reading over information about alligators. Can you find information in your handout that answers our question, “What color is the American Alligator?” Hint: It’s supposed to be somewhat hard.

For comparison … Look at the following slide How easy or hard is it to find information that answers our question “What color is the American alligator?”

Is it easy or hard to find information here that answers our question Is it easy or hard to find information here that answers our question? (what color is the American Alligator?) Was it easy or hard to find the answer to this question in the handout I gave you?

In non-fiction books, authors use what is called “text features” to make it easier to search for, find, and understand the information (organization features). Text features can also make the book more interesting and easier to understand. Today we are going to analyze nonfiction books looking for “the organizational features or qualities that make the books interesting. Explain to students that nonfiction texts have several different features that set them apart” One example of these features is a heading. A heading announces the topic of the paragraph that follows (goes after)” from readwritethink.org “Usually found at the top of the page or paragraph; usually printed in a larger or colored font; describes the topic or paragraph in a one- or two-word phrase” readwritethink.org

Another example of heading. Read the bold type Another example of heading. Read the bold type. What can we predict about the information underneath based on this heading?

Example of font. Font can “Can be different styles or sizes; used to highlight important or key information; adds variety to the page” What do we notice about this page? Do all the words look alike? How does the bold font help us find information we need?

Here’s another example of font. Here it’s a different color Here’s another example of font. Here it’s a different color. Does the different font highlight different information or add variety to the page?

Example of an index. An index is usually found in the back of a book Example of an index. An index is usually found in the back of a book. If you are looking for something specific, and want to know if there is information about this in the book, you could look in the index. Can we tell from looking at this index if Florida is mentioned in this book? An index lists the subjects, people or places mentioned in a book in alphabetical order.

Example of table of contents Example of table of contents. A table of contents lists the chapters or sections in a book.

Another example of a table of contents Another example of a table of contents. Why might this be helpful in a book?

Example of picture and caption Pictures: Adds visual appeal to the page; provides support for the written text” Captions:One to two sentences that describe an illustration or photograph; usually appears underneath the picture, but sometimes above or to the side of it

Another example of a photograph and a caption!

Example of map

Now it’s your turn! On your handout, check the boxes to show what text features are in your magazine: □ Headings □ Table of Contents □ Bold Text □ Pictures and captions □ Index □ Maps □ Different fonts □ Charts and/or graphs From Curiosity Quest

Alligator books … Murray, Julie. Alligators. Edina: ABDO, 1998. Print. Potts, Steve. Wildlife of North America: The American Alligator. Mankato: Capstone, 1998. Print.