Notice and Note Nonfiction Signposts

Nonfiction Signposts

Nonfiction- texts that are based on facts, real events, and real people​

By Brooke Kunze

Contrasts & Contradictions

• When the author shows you information that is different from what you thought you knew

  OR​

• When the author shows you the difference between two things​

Contrasts & Contradictions

What can we learn through the C&C signpost?​

• Author's Point of View

• Author's Purpose​

• The Central Idea​

Read the paragraphs below. Identify the Contrast and Contradiction.

Elementary school and middle school have many traits in common. Typically, both are open five days a week for a set number of hours each day. Students sit at desks in classrooms and are expected to listen to and learn from their teachers. There is a set time for lunch. Each day, students are given homework assignments. Students take quizzes and tests. In all of these ways, middle school should feel somewhat familiar to new students.

However, there are some big changes that new middle school students should be aware of. In elementary school, students usually stay in the same classroom with one teacher for most of the day. That is not the case in middle school, where students typically have a different teacher for each subject. Students must move to a different classroom for each subject too. Since there is not one classroom in which to store supplies, middle school often provide students with lockers. For many kids, getting a locker is a welcome rite of passage.​

Open Ended

What difference is the author showing you?

Open Ended

What is the central idea of the passage?

Absolute Language

• The author uses language that sounds extreme.

• The author uses language that over exaggerates, or is a little dramatic​.

Absolute Language

What can we learn through the AL signpost?​

• Author's Point of View

• Author's Purpose​

Identify examples of Absolute Language.

Snapchat is extremely popular with teens as teens tend to gravitate towards newer forms of social media platforms. Teenagers love Snapchat, and Snapchat offers exciting and entertaining features that are extremely intriguing and easy to use. Research reported by Smart Social explains that 91% of teenagers 16-24-year-olds use the Internet for social networking, and users of Snapchat visit this social site more than 20 times a day...The number of daily users and pictures on Snapchat is unreal, however, this does not mean that Snapchat is being used for good intentions and appropriate reasons. Parents and teachers have concerns about teens' safety when using Snapchat, and many often wonder if it is appropriate for kids and teens to use.

Open Ended

Why did the author use this language? What does it reveal about his purpose?

Numbers & Stats

• The author uses specific numbers, amounts, or statistics in their writing

Numbers & Stats

What can we learn through the N/S signpost?​

• Author's Purpose​

• The Central Idea​

• Supporting Details​

Look for examples of Numbers and Statistics in this paragraph.

Snapchat is extremely popular with teens as teens tend to gravitate towards newer forms of social media platforms. Teenagers love Snapchat, and Snapchat offers exciting and entertaining features that are extremely intriguing and easy to use. Research reported by Smart Social explains that 91% of teenagers 16-24-year-olds use the Internet for social networking, and users of Snapchat visit this social site more than 20 times a day. According to Odyssey Online, "In 2013, Snapchat reported that 71% of Snapchat users are under 34 years old...contributing to the 400 million Snapchats snaps made public daily."

Open Ended

What number or statistics did you see in this paragraph? What did they refer to?

Open Ended

Why do you think the author choose to include those numbers or amounts?

Multiple Choice

What do these numbers tell us about the central idea of the paragraph?

• These numbers support the idea that the app is a great communication tool.

• These numbers support the idea that Snapchat can drive feelings of inadequacies and anxiety.

• These numbers support the idea that teenagers cannot put their phones down because of Snapchat.

• These numbers support the idea that majority of Snapchat users are teenagers, which is concerning.

Word Gaps

• The author uses words or phrases that the reader does not recognize or know yet.

Like any social media platform, parents and teachers wonder if Snapchat is a safe place for teens to socialize and post pictures. It makes adults nervous when their child's information is placed out in the world of the Internet. For example, even for kids who are responsible and careful, once a picture is posted regardless of who they send it to, it becomes public even if it is for 10 seconds. According to Adam McLane, "There's no such thing as anonymity online, only perceived anonymity. Any time your device connects to the Internet, it associates 100 percent of your activity with your device." To be more specific, a teen's personal information is officially on the Internet when they post to Snapchat, including their geological location. Scammers and predators may use this information to retrieve data and other materials

Identify any word gaps in the paragraph below.

Quoted Words

• The author chooses to quote someone in their writing.

• These quotes could be from anyone such as experts, eye witnesses, or someone who participated in the event.​

Quoted Words

What can we learn through the N/S signpost?​

• Author's Purpose​

• Author's Point of View​

• The Central Idea​

• Supporting Details​

​Look for examples of quoted words in this paragraph.

Like any social media platform, parents and teachers wonder if Snapchat is a safe place for teens to socialize and post pictures. It makes adults nervous when their child's information is placed out in the world of the Internet. For example, even for kids who are responsible and careful, once a picture is posted regardless of who they send it to, it becomes public even if it is for 10 seconds. According to Adam McLane, "There's no such thing as anonymity (privacy) online, only perceived anonymity. Any time your device connects to the Internet, it associates 100 percent of your activity with your device." To be more specific, a teen's personal information is officially on the Internet when they post to Snapchat, including their geological location. Scammers and predators may use this information to retrieve data and other materials

Open Ended

Why do you think the author choose to include those quoted words?

Poll

Based on the paragraph and quoted words, what is the author's point of view of Snapchat?

• The author believes Snap chat is a safe place for teens to socialize and post pictures.

• The author is concerned that Snapchat is not a safe place for teens to socialize or post pictures on.