Informational Text Terms

title

• the name of an informational text; indicates to the reader the structure and topic of the text

• The first or 2nd sentence of a paragraph that tells the reader the topic of the paragraph and how the paragraph supports the thesis statement

• a statement or sentence that states the purpose of a paper or essay; usually connects to the title and section headings

• the set of sentences where writers begin their essay; usually includes a hook, necessary background information, a statement of key ideas and a thesis statement.

key ideas

• The most important or central thought of a paragraph or larger section of text; usually expressed in a paragraph's topic sentence or the first paragraph of a section; usually summed up in a paragraph's concluding sentence or the concluding paragraph if a section.

• the logical structure in which text is arranged, such as a sequence, comparison and contrast, problem and solution, or cause and effect

• The main paragraphs of an essay, which expand upon the ideas presented in the thesis statement; the paragraphs where the evidence and facts are given supporting the thesis

• the author's opinion or the perspective he/she wants to convey expressed through the thesis statement for an essay

Match the term to the information text that it correlates to.

• Note Taking

• Title, Subtitle, Headings

• Magazine

• Caption

• Note taking, Magazine, and Website

• Context Clues

• Magazine and Website

• Taking Notes

• Magazine and Website

• Table of Contents

Why is taking notes helpful to do when reading an informational text?

Central Idea

• The message or messages an author is trying to convey to the reader in an informational text.

• When a writer or speaker exhibits a partiality for - or prejudice against - a person, a topic, or an idea.

• The main character's inner thoughts.

Supporting Details

• Topic sentence.

• To condense a section of text or an entire text to its most important ideas and information; summarizing leads to analysis.

• Information such as facts, definitions, or quotes that are used to explain, describe, develop, or emphasize a central idea within a text.

• The order or structure of words and phrases within a sentence.

What is the central idea of the passage?

• The central idea of the passage is that prisons need more money for Covid19 testing.

• The central idea of the passage is that detainees are being tested and monitored for their safety and that of the community.

• The central idea of the passage is that the rural community does not trust the detention center to keep them safe.

• The central idea of the passage is that detention centers pose a risk to rural communities.

What is the meaning of the word contagious?

• visible from all directions

• kept inside a person's body

• shared with as many people as possible

• spread from one person to another in a way

If you're faced with an unfamiliar word, see if there are any words restating the idea.

Ex: Jan's colleagues, the people who worked alongside her, thought Jan was a hard worker.

What does the word "colleague" most likely mean?

• friends

• enemies

• co-workers

What is the purpose of a 'Table of Contents' in an informational text?

• A) To provide a summary of the text

• B) To list the chapters or sections and their page numbers

• C) To give a detailed analysis of the text

• D) To offer a glossary of terms