TOPIC:NON-FICTION TEXT FEATURES

DEFINITION:Text Features are sources of information and

organizational tools to help readers

understand material in informational texts.

Non-Fiction Text Features Can:

• Give the reader an idea of what the text is going to be about

Non-Fiction Text Features Can:

• Give the reader an idea of what the text is going to be about

• Help to guide the reader through the text

Non-Fiction Text Features Can:

• Give the reader an idea of what the text is going to be about

• Help to guide the reader through the text

• Help the reader skim for information

Non-Fiction Text Features Can:

• Give the reader an idea of what the text is going to be about

• Help to guide the reader through the text

• Help the reader skim for information

• Help to support the text

The 9 Most Common Text Features Found

in Non-Fiction

Title

gets the reader interested in the article

helps the reader figure out what the article might be about

Headings /

Identify major topics throughout the text

help the reader skim for information

try to attract the interest of the reader by telling them what the article is about

usually a phrase or sentence

Headlines

Subheadings

identify minor topics throughout the text

help readers skim for information

Bold Print / Italics

help readers identify important terms or vocabulary

Graphics

help readers understand what something looks like in relation to the text

can be photos, drawings, cartoons, or magnified images

Captions

help readers understand a graphic, graph, chart, table

Diagrams

help the reader understand information through a graphic view of information

Graphs

help readers look at information related to the topic

they usually compare data and information

Sidebars

give readers additional information on the topic

and they usually appear in a separate column or box from the text

Why Are Text Features

Important?

Why Are Text Features

Important?Text features are important

because:• 1) Visual features of the text alert you to focus

on the topic

• 2) They present new material in meaningful

chunks.

this makes new info easier to understand

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