Introduction toNonfiction Reading

Unit

Essential Questions• When our curiosity is raised about a topic

how do we learn more about it?• How do capable readers make sense of

nonfiction text?• How do responsible readers judge the

accuracy of nonfiction text?• How do we read nonfiction text to become

aware and empathetic to the needs of our community?

Enduring UnderstandingsStudents will understand that . . .• Readers read nonfiction to satisfy their curiosity

about the community they live in.• Capable readers choose specific strategies to

make meaning of nonfiction text• Responsible readers are able to make better

personal choice when they evaluate the accuracy of information in a reading to determine the validity of the writer’s view point.

• Reading nonfiction text brings awareness and empathy to the individual reader of the needs of others in their community.

So, why are we doing this?Practicing nonfiction reading by studying text

structures can help us…

*Read faster**Understand better**Remember longer*

Before Reading Strategies(1) Access Prior Knowledge

*What do you already know about the topic?

(2) Examine Text FeaturesFeatures* title, bold faced words, italics, headings, graphics

(3) Predict the Text StructureStructure of the article*hint: you can find useful clues in the title!

(4) Determine your reader’s purpose and (5) determine your reading rate

Reader’s PurposePeople read for different reasons.

-For example, you may read a horror story to be entertained.

-Or a history of World War II to learn more about the subject that interests you.

When you read, it is often helpful to set a purpose for reading, or determine what you’d like to get out of a piece of writing.

To get an idea of that purpose, try asking yourself questions that begin with who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Reading Rate• Each type of reading has a different rate.

– An exciting novel is a quicker read than a text in biology.

• You should adjust your reading rate depending on the type of text that you read.

• Look at the chart on the next slide to determine where a newspaper article would fall.

  Mode Purpose Rate Rate range

DECREASE

1. Analytical reading (legal documents, persuasive essays, directions)

To analyze information for inference, language, tone, bias; to evaluate logic and writer's craft.

Usually the slowest rate. Varies with complexity of material. May require more than one reading.

150-250 wpm

  2. Study reading (textbooks, newspapers, magazines)

To learn, synthesize, and retain information; gaining complete understanding of text material.

Rate varies with amount to be learned and type of material.

150-300 wpm

BASE

3. General reading (newspapers, magazines, novels)

To read as a leisure-time activity for pleasure and general information.

Rate varies with material, purpose, and familiarity.

250-500 wpm

  4. Skimming (initial research)

To get a general idea of the material and some details; to get a mental outline of material's organization.

Can be twice as fast as general reading rate.

500-1000 wpm

INCREASE

5. Scanning (phone numbers, airline schedules)

To locate specific information and answer questions as quickly as possible.

Fastest rate with no specific wpm determined.

1000+ range

During Reading Strategies• Connect to Community• Predict• Infer• Annotate/Summarize

What is a text structure?• A “structure” is a

building or framework.

• “Text structure” refers to how a piece of text is built

What is a text structure?• Builders use

different structures to build and construct different things.

• A skyscraper and house, for example, would require 2 very different structures.

What is a text structure?• Just like architects,

builders, and construction workers, writers use different structures to build their ideas.

• Each text structure communicates ideas in a different way.

Text Structures• Description – presenting a main idea and then

offering several supporting details.

• Compare/Contrast – examining the similarities and differences of more than one topic.

• Problem/Solution – explaining a problem and offering solutions.

• Cause/Effect – explaining how one event leads to another.

Accuracy of Information• What is Accuracy?

– the condition or quality of being true, correct, or exact; freedom from error.

• What would affect Accuracy of Information?– Credibility – author’s credentials– Validity – well grounded; justifiable– Balanced Facts – impartiality, looks at both sides– Source of Publication – credible reputation, current,

& purpose for publication

Unit Activities• Most of the reading people do is nonfiction

reading.• During this unit we will be examining the

nonfiction text structurestext structures through magazine, newspaper, and internet articles, practice reading strategiesreading strategies, and develop skills to help us determine the accuracy of accuracy of the informationthe information that we consume.

• Have fun reading!

• Some information from this presentation was adapted from and/or inspired by the Power Point presentation, “Understanding Text Structures,” by Emily Kissner.

• Follow the links to find the original information:

• http://www.slideshare.net/elkissn/understanding-text-structures

• http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Understanding-Text-Structure-Powerpoint