Text Features
Using text features helps the reader __________ the text better.
comprehend/understand
What is a main idea?
What the text is mostly talking about.
Name the 5 types of text structures.
Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect, Problem and Solution, Chronological, Description
TRUE OR FALSE: Author's purpose is ONLY found in informational texts.
False
How many paragraphs should an ECR be?
Five
Name three examples of text features.
title/headings, bold words, italic words, underlined words, table of contents, glossary, index, captions, sidebars, photographs, captions, timelines, maps, charts, graphs, or diagrams
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA: The Pennsylvania Railroad Company was set up in 1846. Originally, it was supposed to run between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. At first, it only had freight trains which carried goods and supplies. Then in 1848, it began running a passenger train. By 1856, the Pennsylvania Railroad went to Chicago, Illinois. After the Civil War, it went to Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Missouri, New York City, and other large cities.
The main idea is how the Pennsylvania Railroad Company was set up.
Why did the author choose to present the information in chronological order? : Pluto was once the ninth planet in our solar system. Then, in 2006, scientists defined a planet as an object with a clear orbit around a star. Since Pluto does not have a clear orbit, it was reclassified. Today it is classified as a dwarf planet.
A:To explain why Pluto became a dwarf planet
B:To describe the process of Pluto's reclassification
C:To show that Pluto is a planet
D:To explain the author's opinion of Pluto
B
Sunlight passes through water droplets in the air. It reflects off of them to create colors ranging from red to violet. Without the presence of both the sun and rain, a rainbow would not appear. If the sun is out, but there is no rain, there will be no rainbow. Similarly, if it rains but there is no sunlight, a rainbow will not form. The sun's light needs to pass through the rain at just the right angle to appear. When this happens, we are lucky enough to witness a beautiful rainbow.
Why did the author include the photograph in the article?
A: To show when a rainbow forms
B: To show what a rainbow looks like
C: To show why a rainbow forms
D: To show how to make a rainbow
B
What are the 2 most important parts of your ECR response?
The claim statement and text evidence
Why would an author use bold or underlined words/phrases?
To let the reader know important vocabulary words or phrases in order to understand the text.
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA: It is estimated that over twenty million pounds of candy corn are sold in the US each year. Brach’s, the top manufacturer, sells enough candy corn to circle the earth 4.25 times if each piece were laid end to end. That’s a lot of candy corn, but that’s nothing compared to Tootsie Roll production. Over 64 million Tootsie Rolls are produced every day! But even Tootsie Rolls have got nothing on the candy industry’s staple product, chocolate. Confectioners manufacture over twenty billion pounds of chocolate in the United States each year. Now that’s a mouthful!
The main idea is that there is a lot of candy produced in the United States each year.
What is the difference between a problem solution structure and a cause and effect structure?
Problem Solution - Clear problem with a way to solve it
Cause Effect - Something happens and these things happen because of it
Sunlight passes through water droplets in the air. It reflects off of them to create colors ranging from red to violet. Without the presence of both the sun and rain, a rainbow would not appear. If the sun is out, but there is no rain, there will be no rainbow. Similarly, if it rains but there is no sunlight, a rainbow will not form. The sun's light needs to pass through the rain at just the right angle to appear. When this happens, we are lucky enough to witness a beautiful rainbow.
What is the most likely reason the author includes an explanation of how a rainbow forms at the beginning of the article?
A: To compare the sun and rain
B: To show the order in which the steps are taking place
C: To discuss a problem and its solution
D: To identify the cause that will result in a rainbow
D
Turn this prompt into a Claim statement: Read the article “Back in Time: The National Road.” Based on the information in the article, write a response to the following: Explain why travelers enjoy using the National Road today.
Travelers enjoy using the National Road today because of (reason 1),(reason 2), and (reason 3).
What is the purpose of subheadings?
To section the text based off of topic
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA: Remember, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing correctly. That said, the key to making perfect cookies is merely a matter of preparation and precision. To begin with, read your cookie recipe thoroughly before baking and make sure that you have all of the necessary ingredients. Next, use good tools and utensils. By using good tools you can minimize mistakes and improve the quality of your product. Lastly, you should use top quality ingredients. If you use poor quality materials, you’ll create an inferior product. So, to make perfect cookies you should use the highest quality materials available.
The main idea is how to make perfect cookies.
IDENTIFY THE TEXT STRUCTURE: Many pioneers who settled the Great Plains lived in sod houses built from thick-rooted prairie grasses. This was because the prairie lacked standard building materials, such as wood or stone.
Problem and Solution
Asian elephants are very social. In their natural habitats, they form social units. These are led by females. They provide care and guidance for their herd members. These groups form connections with other herds. This can happen even over long distances. They can even recognize elephants from many years before. Elephants can also communicate. They even show behaviors closely related to happiness and sadness. This serves as a reminder that all animals deserve our respect.
What are the most likely reasons the author included the last sentence? Select TWO correct answers.
A: To explain why elephants are important
B: To describe how elephants need our help
C: To show animals have feelings
D: To argue elephants are endangered
E: To show animals deserve respect
C & E
How is an ECR different than an SCR(race response)?
Claim statement, 3 pieces of text evidence, 5 paragraphs
Why would an author include a map in a passage?
To show the reader the location/area they are describing to give a better sense of understanding.
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA: Mark Twain is one of America's most famous writers. His real name was Samuel Clemens. He was born in Missouri in 1835. When he was eighteen, Mark Twain left Missouri and worked as a printer in different cities. He wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
The main idea is Mark Twain is one of America's most famous writers.
Why is text structure important for the reader?
To make information easier to understand, organizes information, helps connect ideas in a text, and to better understand how parts of the text relate to the whole passage
What is the most likely reason the author wrote this essay?: Many argue that voting is a person's right. Adults should not be the only people who get to vote. Everyone should be allowed to vote. This could help younger people to learn about politics. Voting at younger ages has been found to help people vote all of their lives. Lowering the voting age would mean more people would vote. Therefore, lowering the voting age would be a good thing. After all, today's youth will one day lead this nation.
A: To provide ideas on lowering the voting age
B: To explain why youth voting is important
C: To tell about when they voted
D: To describe why we need to vote
A
IDENTIFY THE CLAIM STATEMENT: As the Old National road was built many people used it to travel across the country. Nowadays it is also a tourist attraction, a very popular one at that. The reason for the Old National Road being so popular is the numerous landmarks it has available and its historical significance.
"The reason for Old National Road being so popular is the numerous landmarks it has available and its historical significance."