Special Features of Informational Text

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

“A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

• In some cases, visual images are the best way to get information across clearly to the reader.

• You can show in one picture what it might take pages of writing to explain.

Types of Special Features

• There are many ways to put information into visual form. These include:– Graphs– Diagrams– Tables

Graphs

• A graph puts numbers into a form that is easy to see.

• Different graphs are used for different purposes.

• Types of graphs include:– Circle graphs or pie charts– Line graphs– Bar graphs

Circle Graph

• Circle graphs are also called pie charts because they are cut up into slices like a pie.

• They are used to show how different parts of a group compare to each other and how each part compares to the whole group.

• Each slice is labeled with the name of the group or item it represents.

Line Graphs

• A line graph is used to show how something changes over time.

• What is changing and the span of time are called the variables.

• A change in one variable is measured on the vertical, or up-and-down axis.

• A change in another variable is shown on the horizontal axis, or left-to-right axis.

Bar Graphs

• A bar graph also uses vertical and horizontal axes to display information.

• A bar graph uses thick bars to compare amounts.

Pictures That Inform

• Pictures can also be used to give information.

• These types of informational pictures include:– Diagrams- pictures with labeled parts– Maps- tiny pictures of large areas– Illustrations- images of the subject of the

passage

Tables

• Tables put information in an easy-to-read form, usually in rows and columns.

• Tables allow you to see how numbers compare to each other.