Organizational Patterns
Information is organized in order of time.
What is chronolocial or sequential?
What is a brief explanation or description of an image or graphic?
The "big point" or the most important idea thing the writer is communicating to the reader.
What is the main idea?
Nonfiction writers often provide these to help readers understand the meaning of unfamiliar words.
What are context clues?
The reason behind a text being written.
What is author's purpose?
Tells how two things are similar and different.
What is comparison and contrast?
What is the purpose of headings in a nonfiction text?
What is to organize information and indicate the main topics?
Providing information to clarify, prove, or explain the main idea.
What are supporting details?
These word parts can be used to help break down complex words and understanding their meanings.
What are prefixes, root words, and suffixes?
This purpose involves providing readers with factual information about a topic.
What is to inform?
An action and its results are explained.
What is cause and effect?
An author uses bold text in a nonfiction article for this purpose.
What is to emphasize important terms or concepts?
When you need to state the main idea in your own words because it doesn't acutally "say" it in the paragraph.
What is an implied main idea?
The literal definition of a word.
What is denotation?
This purpose aims to convince the reader to believe or do something.
What is to persuade?
A numbered list or bullet points are used, and order does not matter.
What is enumeration or listing?
What is a glossary?
The main idea of this passage:
The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest. Butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.
What is "The rain forest is home to many creatures"?
A word's underlying meanings; what is associated with the word.
What is connotation?
This purpose focuses on clarifying a concept or process. Look for step-by-step instructions, diagrams, or clear explanations of complex ideas.
What is to explain?
The author gives a general statement that is supported by one or more examples.
What is generalization?
Text that is set apart from the main text, often to provide extra information or details.
What is a sidebar?
The implied main idea of this passage:
"Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another activity that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also exciting to look for unique shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe."
What is "there are many fun things to do at the beach"?
Two words that describe non-fiction.
What are factual, objective, true, historical, informational?
A blend of a writer's personal style, tone, personality, vocabulary, and unique experiences.
What is a writer's voice?