1. Text Features
Information for this presentation is taken from the following source:
Reader’s Handbook, A Student Guide to Reading and Learning by Great Source
Social Studies, The World by Scott Foresman

2. Human beings have important elements in their bodies such as a heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain. These elements stand out from other features of our body.

3. Textbooks and informational text also have important elements that stand out from the other parts of the text.

4. While reading informational text, you have probably seen some or all of the following:
Boldface terms
Charts & Graphs
Glossary
Headings and Titles
Index
Maps
Photos and Illustrations
Preview
Table of contents
Caption
Timeline

5. These are called Text Features and their purpose is to help us understand the information presented.

6. Social Studies text, The World, page 45
Boldface
Social Studies text, The World, page 45
boldface type is a signal to: Slow Down and Pay Attention
signals that a word, term, or event is important
different ways to make words stand out in text include: CAPITALS, color, italics, underline, highlight

7. Charts gives information, show processes or make comparisons
Social Studies text, The World, page 43
Social Studies text, The World, page 544
gives information, show processes or make comparisons
packs lots of information in a small space
a great resource to help you understand information in the text

8. Social Studies text, The World, page R58
Glossary
Social Studies text, The World, page R58
alphabetical list of key people, places, events, and terms.
a tool to help you understand the language of the subject

9. Graphs uses pictures and symbols to show information
Social Studies text, The World, page 104
Social Studies text, The World, page 562
uses pictures and symbols to show information
a graph is shown to make a point
always read the graph’s title, labels on the vertical and horizontal axes, and any other text included with the graph

10. Headings and Titles announces the topics that will be covered
Social Studies text, The World, page 10
Social Studies text, The World, page 12
announces the topics that will be covered
allows us to be efficient in our reading -- skim the headings to focus on the purpose of our reading
increase your comprehension by turning headings and titles into a question -- as you continue to read, can you answer your “question”?

11. Social Studies text, The World, page R68
Index
found at the very back of a textbook
gives the location of every important idea, term, definition, person, and place.
a search tool to help you find what you need
Social Studies text, The World, page R68

12. Maps When reading a map, pay attention to the following:
Social Studies text, The World, page H17
Lines
Symbols
Labels
Compass Rose
Lines of Longitude and Latitude
Scale
Colors
Legend or Key

13. Photos and Illustrations
Captions: Single words, short phrases, sentences, or paragraphs that accompany illustrations, photographs, or diagrams.
Social Studies text, The World, page 24
photos and illustrations are used to emphasize or make important points
read the captions
captions tell you the reason for putting the picture or illustration in the text
captions say in a few lines, what the author takes paragraphs to explain

14. Preview Many textbooks include a preview at the beginning of chapters.
Social Studies text, The World, page 8
Social Studies text,
The World, page 18
acts like a summary
packs into one small space, all of the important things to know about a chapter
key terms and important vocabulary will often be listed in the preview

15. Timeline Information that expands upon the text and is placed in chronological order.
Social Studies text, The World, page 570
Social Studies text, The World, pages 4-5

16. Table of Contents A list of book’s sections found in the front to let the reader know what is contained in the book.
* we’ll talk about reference material at the back of the book
Social Studies text, The World, page xii
Social Studies text, The World, page iii

17. Social Studies text, The World, page 251
Bullets, Asterisks, & Stars A list of important information or facts that can be found in the text.
Social Studies text, The World, page 251

18. Insets and Sidebars Additional information found in boxes or at the side of the page.
Social Studies text, The World, page 253
Social Studies text, The World, page 254

19. Diagrams & Cutaways An illustration of an object or an inside look at what is being discussed that is usually labeled.
Social Studies text, The World, page 45
Social Studies text, The World, page 291

20. … and now you are saying, “So What?”.

21. Here’s the, “So What!” Putting text features into use will help you understand more of your reading, and probably allow you to do it in less time!!!!

22. You can use text features to become more successful and efficient in your reading of informational text.

23. So, next time you have a reading assignment to complete, pay attention to the text features as you read. See if you can put them to use to increase your comprehension and maybe you will even finish your assignment in less time.