Elements of Non-Fiction

TitlesShow the main idea of the text

Gives a preview of what the reader is about to read

Helps the reader make connections

Titl

e

Table of Contents

Lists the major parts of the book and the page numbers

It outlines the main topics of the book

Helps the reader locate information

What would you learn about in Chapter 3?

SOILS

SubheadingsDivide the text into sections

Tell the main idea of each section

Bolded or different colors to focus attention

Help readers locate information

Photos/Pictures

Help give information in a visual way

Help the reader better understand an idea

Work together with the text to teach information

Captionso Text that tells about a picture or photograph

o Helps the reader better understand information that may not be in the text.

Where is the subheading?What would you write as the caption for the watermelon picture?

What is a question you can

ask yourself?

DiagramsShows or explains something

Has labels, text and captions to help the reader better understand the diagram

Help the reader better understand how something is made, steps, or the information in the text

What does this

diagram

Explain?

Photosynthesis

IndexIs an alphabetical listing of key names, terms, events, places, and topics with page numbers.

Helps readers find the information they are looking for.

Usually found at the end of the book.

ABCOrde

r If you were

looking for

information on

magnets,what page would this

information be on?

E 10

GlossaryAn alphabetical list of key terms and their definition

Sometimes will tell you how to pronounce the word

Helps the reader better understand key words

Usually found at the end of the book.

ABC

orderWhat’s the definition of reflection?

ResourcesSome pictures taken from:

Frank, M. S. (2000). Science. Boston: Harcourt School Publishers.

Other pictures taken from Google Images.