Chapter 1 Map Basics How to read a map: T.O.P.I.C.

TOPIC TOPIC will help you remember five steps for constructing meaning from visual or graphic text.

TOPIC T- Title Read the title of the visual so that you are clear on the subject it is covering.

TOPIC O- Overview Conduct a brief overview of the visual or graphic. (What do you see?)

TOPIC P- Parts Key in on the parts of the visual by reading all levels and noting any elements or details that seem important.

TOPIC I- Interrelationships Use the title as your theory and the parts of the visual as your clues to detect and specify the interrelationships in the graphics.

TOPIC C- Conclusion Draw a conclusion about the visual as a whole. (A brief sentence containing T.O.P.I.)