Non-Fiction Reading TOOLBOX

First Steps:

Watch out for the THIEVES:

Title

Heading/Subtitles

Introduction

Every sentence (repeated ideas)

Visuals

Ending

So what is it about?

If you are trying to find the. . . Author’s Purpose:

Why do you think the author wrote this?

Is the author trying to convince or dissuade me on this topic?

How do I know? Can I prove it?

How does the author prove the point to me?

Jot down any information that will help you explain this to someone else.

Visual Aids and Text Features:

Read the captions (sentences) under everything (pictures,

graphs, charts, etc).

How does the chart help me to understand the text?

Why did the author choose to highlight that piece of

information?

How do the subheadings connect to each other?

Challenging Vocabulary:

Look at the words in bold.

Look at the words around it to help you.

Leave the word out of the sentence and ask yourself what

word would best fit the blank.

Read the sentences before and after for clues.

Use the prefix or suffix to help you.

Central Idea:

Look for key details

Repeated ideas

Numbers and charts

Bold vocabulary

Titles and subheadings

Pictures

Last step:

Ask yourself:

What is this article mostly about?

What can I teach someone else about this topic?

Words to know:

Caption- a text feature that explains a picture, chart,

graph

Bias/Slant- a particular opinion or feeling

Subtopic- smaller categories under a larger topic

Point of View- an author’s view or perspective on a

topic.

Additional Resources:

Realistic Fiction Reading Toolbox:

A

Analyzing Character 1. How would you describe your character? (Are they angry, determined, courageous, lonely ,etc..) 2. How do you know? FIND THE EVIDENCE HIGHLIGHT

IN STORY 3. What are the character’s actions telling us about

their traits? EXPLAIN

Determining Theme 1. Universal Themes that Will Always Fit in a Story: Things are not always as they seem. Friends and family support each other in times of need. In hard times, ordinary people can do extraordinary

things. 2. Choose a universal theme that has a lot of evidence to

support it. 3. Look at the conflict and resolution. Ask yourself,

“What is the problem (conflict)? 4. How is it solved? (resolution) What can I learn from

this resolution?” Use text evidence to support!

Setting Affecting the Plot 1. Describe the location of the text. 2. Do you think it is a happy, sad, or scary place? PROVE IT. 3. How do you know? GO BACK AND UNDERLINE 4. Why did the author set the story in that environment?

PROVE IT 5. What other problems can you think of that could occur

in this setting? EXPLAIN

Author’s Craft 1. Does the author compare 2 things using like or as? Simile.

FIND IT 2. Does the author say something IS something else?

Metaphor FIND IT 3. Is something exaggerated? Hyperbole FIND IT 4. Is the author giving a non-human object a human trait?

Personification. FIND IT. 5. Does the author write in a certain way? What do you

notice? FIND IT PROVE IT

Additional Resources:

http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-realistic-fiction-definition-characteristics-examples.html

TOOLBOX for Fantasy Reading

Fake, cannot happen in the “real world” Archetypes, animals Numerous magical powers Text evidence to support your theme Analyze the characters and plot Set in unfamiliar surroundings You will enjoy reading elements not found in the human world.

Our Hero will begin his / her QUEST or JOURNEY: Ask yourself:

What is the main character searching for or what problem is he/ she trying to solve?

What are some examples of DIALOGUE that reveal the character’s goal?

Look For: What is the CALL to ACTION? What is it the hero has to

accomplish? Are there any obstacles that we experience along the way

(Maybe THREE)? Huzzah! Our hero(es) have completed their quest, and get

their treasure/kingdom/princess/trip home. Think about:

What did the hero learn about himself? How did the HERO overcome obstacles? How has he or she changed from this experience? What is the author’s message? What is the THEME of the story?

Think about the …SETTING:

What kind of place is this? Think about the RULES of this strange land? What are the characters who live here like?

Ask yourself: Does it take place in the past, the present of the future? Look Fors: Castles, kingdoms, made up worlds, or magical things Is this a place where everything is unpleasant or bad? (Dystopia) …Now consider the PLOT: Ask yourself:

Are there any unusual twists or developments? What is the gist of the story?

Look Fors: What are some of the obstacles the main character must

overcome? How does the character attempt to resolve the problems /

obstacles? Did the character accomplish this with great deeds or acts

of human kindness?

To figure out CHARACTERS think about: List any special powers Are there any mythical beings? Personification-inanimate objects having human

characteristics? Look For: Fairies, giants, ogres, dragons, witches, centaurs (half horse half man) Archetypes:

What role does the hero play? (PROTAGONIST) Describe character traits.

What role doe the villain play? (ANTAGONIST) Describe character traits.

Look Fors: Typical examples of certain people. Called Archetypes (Harry Potter= savior or Prince Charming =Knight in shining armor)

Historical Fiction Reading Toolbox:

Analyzing Character 1. How would you describe your character? (Are they

angry, determined, courageous, lonely, etc.). 2. How do you know?

FIND THE EVIDENCE HIGHLIGHT IN STORY 3. What are the character’s actions telling us about their

traits? EXPLAIN 4. How is the character’s life different than ours yours?

EXPLAIN

Setting Affecting the Plot 1. How is the setting different than the place and time

we live in today? 2. Describe the location of the text. 3. Do you think it is a happy, sad, or scary place? PROVE

IT. 4. How do you know? GO BACK AND UNDERLINE 5. Why did the author set the story in that

environment? PROVE IT 6. What were some of the major problems of this time

period? Do they appear in this story? Explain.

Determining Theme 1. Universal Themes that Will Always Fit in a Story: Things are not always as they seem. Friends and family support each other in times of need. In hard times, ordinary people can do extraordinary

things. 2. Choose a universal theme that has a lot of evidence to

support it. 3. Look at the conflict and resolution. Ask yourself,

“What is the problem (conflict)? 4. How is it solved? (resolution) What can I learn from

this resolution?” Use text evidence to support! 5. Are there many major lessons we learned during that

time period? Does it apply to this story?

Author’s Craft 1. Does the author compare 2 things using like or as?

Simile. FIND IT 2. Does the author say something IS something else?

Metaphor FIND IT 3. Is something exaggerated? Hyperbole FIND IT 4. Is the author giving a non-human object, human

traits? Personification. FIND IT. 5. Does the author write in a certain way? What do you

notice? FIND IT PROVE IT

Additional Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF3ROMHA1j8

Classical Fiction Toolbox

Analyzing Character 1. How would you describe the main character? (Are they angry, determined, courageous, lonely?). 2. How do you know? FIND THE EVIDENCE.

HIGHLIGHT IN STORY 3. What are the character’s actions telling us about

their traits? EXPLAIN 4. How is the character’s life different than ours yours?

EXPLAIN

Setting Affecting the Plot 1. How is the setting different than the place and time we

live in today? 2. Describe the location of the text. 3. Do you think it is a happy, sad, or scary place?

PROVE IT. 4. How do you know? GO BACK AND UNDERLINE 5. Why did the author set the story in that environment?

PROVE IT 6. What were some of the major problems of this time

period? Do they appear in this story? Explain.

Cool Tricks Understanding a Difficult Text

Most Classics can be challenging to read because the language can be tough.

If you don’t know a word, read the sentence without it. Ask yourself, “What is this sentence about? What does the missing word mean?

Usually, they are set in the past. Ask yourself,” What do I know about this time in history? How does the main character deal with the issues of the time period?”

They have quotes that we need to analyze to further understand the story.

If you are given a quote from the text to analyze, ask yourself, “What does this quote mean? How does it relate to the story? How does it relate to my life?

Look for symbols in the text Is there any object being repeated? How is the object being used in the story? Does it hold any special meaning to the character? What do you think it means?

Determining Theme 1. Universal Themes that Will Always Fit in a Story:

Things are not always as they seem.

Friends and family support each other in times of need.

In hard times, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. 2. Choose a universal theme that has a lot of evidence to

support it. 3. Look at the conflict and resolution. Ask yourself, “What is

the problem (conflict)? 4. How is it solved? (resolution) What can I learn from this

resolution?” Use text evidence to support! 5. Are there many major lessons we learned during that time

period? Does it apply to this story?

Additional Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2wWRejHYkU

Poetry Reading Toolbox

POETRY IS A TYPE OF LITERATURE THAT ATTEMPTS TO STIR

A READER’S IMAGINATION AND EMOTIONS! The poet does this by carefully choosing and

arranging language for its meaning sound and rhythm.

Poetry is a type of writing, usually in verse. Poetry verse is set out in short lines with words

put together in rhythm or rhyme or both. Poetry is a type of literature in which the sound

and meaning of language are combined to create ideas and feelings.

Poetry is about a writer sharing with the reader an experience or strong feelings.

POETIC LANGUAGE IS THE LANGUAG MOST OFTEN

(but not exclusively) USED IN POETRY.

POETRY USES LANGUAGE IN MANY

DIFFERENT WAYS.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Figurative language appeals to the senses and creates a picture in your mind. It departs from literal language in order to have a special effect or meaning and uses words and or expressions in different ways.

Simile - “The sun is like a yellow ball of fire” Metaphor - “I’m drowning in money” Personification - The stuffed bear smiled as the

little boy hugged him close” Hyperbole - “ Mile-high ice cream cones” Alliteration - “The wild and woolly walrus waits

and wonders when we’ll walk by” Onomatopoeia - “Buzz, Hiss, Roar, Woof. Oxymoron - “open secret” Idioms - “It’s raining cats and dogs”

POETRY can tell a story NARRATIVE, sound musical LYRIC and has dialog DRAMATIC

If the poem tells a story… then it’s called NARRATIVE:

Has a plot. Can be can be ANY LENGTH!

A BALLAD - based upon folklore.

A portion of the poem is repeated, much like the chorus of

a song. Think about: John Henry

An Epic is also a type of narrative poem which long and serious and tells the story of a hero.

LYRIC: Think about as your read: The poet’s feelings (emotions), thoughts

and the way he sees the world.

Be careful! Lyric poetry does not attempt to tell a story. Topics may include, Love, War, Peace, Family, Nature,

Grief or Nostalgia (a longing for the past).