Nonfiction Signposts

Non-Fiction

Signpost

A Review

What are they?

Nonfiction signposts are key
markers in a text that
readers should notice in order
to pause and reflect, then
build an understanding of the
text and the author’s
purpose.

Why?

Signposts help you know
when to stop and
make a meaningful note
that will help develop
your understanding about a
text.

These are words we don't know.

These words show gaps in our knowledge. By learning what they mean, we understand the whole text more easily.

WG Word Gaps

These are important numbers presented in the text.

The numbers will usually show you facts about the topic, help you come to a conclusion or infer information.

#Numbers and Stats

Nonfiction Signposts

These are quotes from people about the topic.

We examine these quotes to figure out why this person was quoted and how they relate to the topic.

Q Quoted Words

These are words that push the limit or exaggerate (they're being extra!)

These words can help you identify opinions, author's purpose and point of view.

EX! Extreme and Absolute Language

Nonfiction Signposts

This is when the reading shows a difference between two or more subjects. This could also be new information that is different than what you already know.

The answers might help you compare and contrast, understand author’s
purpose, infer, and notice cause and effect.

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CC Contrast and Contradictions

Multiple Choice

Identify the signpost in the following passage:

The exam is run by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The exam is 2 hours long. It contains 60 questions. If students pass the exam, they receive a license. It permits them to fly drones for hire.

• Quoted Words

• Numbers and Stats

• Contrast and Contradictions

Multiple Choice

Identify the signpost in the following passage:

Finally, the day came to take the exam. When Parks heard that the scores were in, he was nervous. “I think I probably had more anxiety than they had,” he said of his students. But he was met with good news.

• Numbers and Stats

• Quoted Words

• Word Gaps

Multiple Choice

Identify the signpost in the following passage:

Many people in Oulu think winter cycling sounds odd. However, biking all year-round is very common. They are used to the winter. They don't think of it as a challenge.

• Contrast and Contradictions

• Quoted Words

• Numbers and Stats

Multiple Choice

Identify the signpost that is found in the passage:

Oulu is a city in Finland. The city gets five months of snow. When it snows, it gets FREEZING COLD! The lowest temperature could be minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit. You will feel like an icicle!

• Quoted Words

• Extreme and Absolute Language

• Word Gaps

Multiple Select

What TWO signposts can be found in the following passage:

Tenya Iida was interviewed about his school. "This is the BEST school and I am getting an amazing education here."

• Quoted Words

• Word Gaps

• Extreme and Absolute Language

• Numbers and Stats

Multiple Select

What TWO signposts can be found in the following passage:

While this school has 4 classes of about 20 students each, most schools have over 20 classes with 25-35 students in each one.

• Quoted Words

• Extreme and Absolute Language

• Contrast and Contradictions

• Numbers and Stats

Draw

What's on TV? Draw an idea!