How do you teach readers more about your topic in an

informational text?

In this lesson you will learn how to support readers’

understanding by adding textual features.

Let’s ReviewLet’s Review

An informational text gives facts about a non-fiction topic.

Favorite Colors

Blue Red Green

Australia

Waning Crescent

Caption

Map Chart

Let’s ReviewLet’s Review

Writing Process

1

Write Drafts

Revise and Edit

Generate Ideas

2 3

Let’s ReviewA Common Mistake

Forgetting important features.

They lived in this area.

Where? I need a map.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Read over your text to find areas of unclear information.1

2Ask, “What textual features would help my reader better understand my topic?”

3 Insert the appropriate textual features when needed.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Read over your text to find areas of unclear information.

1

Unclear information

Trouble with the LandEnglish settlers claimed the Virginian peninsula for their own. Unfortunately, the town they formed, called Jamestown, did not have traditional farmland.

Land DisputesAs they attempted to grow crops, the Powhatans watched angrily as their land was being taken.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Read over your text to find areas of unclear information.

1

Unclear information

A Peace OfferingThe Powhatan tribes saw the settlers suffering through the fall and winter. They sent food as a peace offering. It helped them survive.

Working Together During the Cold Months

After, settlers traded English goods for knowledge about the land. In time, they were skilled at farming, hunting and fishing.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

2 Ask, “What textual features would help my reader better understand my topic?”

Common Textual Features

• Charts• Glossary• Maps• Timelines• Headings and Titles• Index• Pictures/photos

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

2Ask, “What textual features would help my reader better understand my topic?”

A map could show readers

where Jamestown

is.

Trouble with the LandEnglish settlers claimed the Virginian peninsula for their own. Unfortunately, the town they formed, called Jamestown, did not have traditional farmland.

Land DisputesAs they attempted to grow crops, the Powhatans watched angrily as their land was being taken.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

2Ask, “What textual features would help my reader better understand my topic?”

A timeline could show the dates of

these events.

A Peace OfferingThe Powhatan tribes saw the settlers suffering through the fall and winter. They sent food as a peace offering. It helped them survive.

Working Together During the Cold Months

After, settlers traded English goods for knowledge about the land. In time, they were skilled at farming, hunting and fishing.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

3 Insert the appropriate textual features when needed.

Trouble with the LandEnglish settlers claimed the Virginian peninsula for their own. Unfortunately, the town they formed, called Jamestown, did not have traditional farmland.

Land DisputesAs they attempted to grow crops, the Powhatans watched angrily as their land was being taken.

Virginia Peninsula

Jamestown

Powhatan Tribes

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

3 Insert the appropriate textual features when needed.

A Peace OfferingThe Powhatan tribes saw the settlers suffering through the fall and winter. They sent food as a peace offering. It helped them survive.

Working Together During the Cold Months

After, settlers traded English goods for knowledge about the land. In time, they were skilled at farming, hunting and fishing.

Timeline of Events

Powhatans Smith Arrived Helped Saved

Summer Fall Winter

1607

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Read over your text to find areas of unclear information.1

2Ask, “What textual features would help my reader better understand my topic?”

3 Insert the appropriate textual features when needed.

In this lesson you have learned how to support readers’ understanding by adding

textual features.

Let’s ReviewGuided Practice

In your own informational text, find places where textual features are missing and add it into your draft.

Let’s ReviewExtension Activities

Find a partner and together choose 10 sentence cards. Read the sentence on each card and takes turns adding a textual feature of your choosing.

Let’s ReviewExtension Activities

Read through a photocopy of a text. Highlight the places where you see the need for textual features and then add one that fits. Here are some choices:MapPictureTimelineChartCaptionHeadingTitle

Let’s ReviewQuick Quiz

Look at the sentence below and choose which textual feature would best fit:The Great Wall of China is a long fort that stretches from East to West on the Northern border of the country.

Picture Index Chart