Nonfiction Text Features

Definition: A list of key terms in alphabetical order. Each key word is defined. Provides a pronunciation key.

• Glossary

• Captions

• Table of contents

• Title

Purpose: This helps send the reader signals about important information.

• Timelines

• Glossary

• Text/font style

• Title

Definition: Explains what is shown in a picture or illustration.

• Text/font styles

• Diagrams

• Timeline

• Caption

Purpose: Helps the reader compare or organize information in the text.

• Photos and illustrations

• Title

• Tables

• Captions

Purpose: Help the reader understand the order of events , how events are connected, and how one event may have led to another.

• Photos/illustrations

• Timeline

• Text Box

• Headings/subheadings

Purpose: Helps the reader by letting them know what they are about to read and helps focus the reader on a topic so they can make connections between what they already know and the text.

• Title

• Caption

• Index

• Maps

Definition: Gives information in a visual way and helps tell or elaborate the story by showing an example.

• Index

• Text box

• Photos/illustration

• Caption

Purpose: Helps the reader understand steps, how objects are made, or a process.

• Maps

• Table of contents

• Photos/illustrations

• Diagram

Definition: Drawings that show the basic shape of the land and other geographical, political, or historical features. They present information in a visual form.

• Tables

• Maps

• Diagrams

• Captions

Definition: Alphabetical listing of the key names, terms, events, and topics with page numbers.

• Table of Contents

• Glossary

• Captions

• Index