1. Visual Skills Handbook
Envision It!
Visual Skills Handbook

2. Author’s Purpose
An author writes for many purposes, some of which are to inform, to entertain, to persuade, or to express feelings or a mood. An author may have more than one purpose for writing. (EI.2)

3. Cause and Effect
An effect is something that happens. A cause is why that thing happens. An effect sometimes has more that one cause. A cause sometimes has more than one effect. Clue words such as because, as a result, therefore, and so that can signal causes and effects.

4. Compare and Contrast
To compare and contrast is to look for similarities and differences in things. Clue words such as like or as show similarities. Clue words such as but or unlike show differences.

5. Draw Conclusions
When we draw conclusions, we make sensible decisions or form reasonable opinions after thinking about the facts and details in what we are reading.

6. Fact and Opinion
A fact is something that can be proved. Facts are based on evidence. Opinions express ideas and are based on interpretation of evidence.

7. Generalize
To generalize is to make a broad statement or rule that applies to many examples.

8. Graphic Sources
A graphic source shows information in a way that the reader can see.
Examples:
Table
Bar Graph
Map
Diagram

9. Literary Elements
Setting – the time and place in which a story happens.
Character – a person or animal in the story.
Plot – the pattern of events in a story.
Conflict – Rising Action – Climax – Solution
Theme – the big idea of a story.

10. Main Idea and Details
The main idea is the most important idea about a topic. For example, it takes a lot of people to put on a big rock concert.
Details are smaller pieces of information that support the main idea. Musicians, technicians, and fans are all a part of the rock concert experience.

11. Sequence
Sequence refers to the order that events happen. We use sequence when we list the steps in a process.