1. Strategies for Improving Reading Comprehension
Informational Text
Strategies for
Improving
Reading Comprehension

2. Think While You Read Make Connections Ask Questions Make Inferences
Visualize
Determine Importance in Text
Synthesize Information
from Strategies that Work, Harvey and Goudvis, 2000

3. Make Connections
Between the text and your past experience or background knowledge
Between the text and another text
Between the text and things that happen in the world

4. Ask Questions While Reading
Proficient readers continually ask questions
Before reading
During reading
After reading

5. Make Inferences While Reading
Not all “answers” or facts can be found directly in the text.
“Read between the lines.”
Writers sometimes IMPLY meaning; readers INFER that meaning.

6. Visualize While Reading
Create pictures in your mind
Use author’s words
Use your own background/experience
Make comparisons
Note words that appeal to senses

7. Determine Important Facts and Details While Reading
Activate prior knowledge
Note characteristics of text
Skim text
Read bold print, illustrations, graphs and tables
Read first and last line of each paragraph carefully
Take notes or highlight text when possible; use sticky notes in textbooks

8. Synthesize After Reading
Retell information
Add personal response
Make comparisons and contrasts
Attempt to answer “I wonder” questions
Make application of reading to real world

9. External Text Features That Signal Importance
Fonts and Effects
Cue Words and Phrases
Illustrations and Photographs
Graphics
Text Organizers
Text Structures
from Strategies that Work, Harvey and Goudvis, 2000

10. Informational Text Organizers
Table of contents
Preface
Index
Glossary
Appendix

11. Informational Text Structures
Chronological/Sequential Order: A main idea is supported by details that must be in a particular sequence.
Enumeration/Description: A major idea is supported by a list of details or examples.
Pennsylvania Assessment System Classroom Connections, 2005

12. Informational Text Structures
Comparison/Contrast: The supporting details of two or more main ideas indicate how those concepts are similar or different.
Cause/Effect: The supporting details give the causes of a main idea or the supporting details are the results produced by the main idea.

13. Signal Words and Phrases to Look for in Chronological Structure
first next then initially before
after when finally preceding following

14. Text structure: Chronological/Sequential Order
Example:
First, Golden Eagles soar high along ridges near their nests. Then, they search for prey. When a meal is spotted, they attack in a long swoop.

15. Signal Words and Phrases to Look for in Enumeration
for instance for example such as to illustrate most important
in addition another furthermore first second

16. Text Structure: Enumeration/Description
Example:
Golden Eagles are birds of prey. First, Golden Eagles search for prey. Second, Golden Eagles swoop through the air to attack their prey.

17. Signal Word and Phrases to Look for in Cause and Effect
so that
because of
thus
unless
since
as a result
then
consequently

18. Text Structure: Cause and Effect
Example:
Many Bald Eagles were killed by pesticides and illegal hunting; as a result, they were in danger of becoming extinct.

19. Signal Word and Phrases to Look for in Comparisons
different from same as similar to as opposed to instead of
although however compared with as well as either... or

20. Text Structure: Compare and Contrast
Example:
Golden Eagles are apt to hunt for prey. This differs from Bald Eagles, who are more likely to take an easy meal.

21. When Assigned an Informational Text:
Use strategies before reading, while reading, and after reading! You will comprehend the material better and be able to do your assignments more easily ;)