TEXT FEATURES

2A

TEXT FEATURES

Are parts of books, magazines, etc. besides the main text.

May include table of contents, introduction, charts, sidebars, foreword, timeline, afterword, etc.

Are useful to the reader when he is trying to understand the main text a little better.

Have a purpose!

Your job is to determine that purpose! (to verify, support, or clarify meaning)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Is in the front of the book. Lists the chapters (or sections) in the order

they appear. Usually indicates the main topic (if given a

title).

Your job will be to analyze what a chapter or section title might include.

Example – Page 155

HEADINGS

Are a short line of text that briefly describes the topic of material coming after it. Usually in bold Easy to spot Usually in informative writing Break up the text into smaller sections

A reader can quickly skim headings and be able to determine information underneath them.

Example – Page 159

INTRODUCTORY FEATURES

Introduction – a paragraph (or longer) that appears at the beginning of the main text.

The general purpose of many introductions is to build the reader’s interest to read more.

Forwards and prologues are two types of introductions.

INTRODUCTORY FEATURES(CONT.)

Foreword – a type of introduction to a book that is often written by someone other than the author. The purpose may be to give the author praise or to

emphasize the author’s qualifications as a writer.

Prologue or Preface – a type of introduction written by the author. The purpose may be to tell of an event that

happened before the story begins, or it may give part of the story that occurs at or near the end of the story line.

Example – Page 162

SIDEBAR

Is a short text written in addition to the main article.

Relates to the main article in some way. Usually gives additional information about a

specific detail mentioned in the article. Is often in a box placed beside a main article. Often verifies, supports, or clarifies something

in the main article.

Example – Page 166

REFERENCE FEATURES

Are used when something needs further explanation. An asterisks(*) or dagger(†) sign may be

used as a symbol to show a footnote or an endnote.

Footnote – a note or reference placed at the bottom of the page.

Endnote – a note or reference placed at the end of the document.

Reasons for using footnotes or endnotes:To give further information or

instructionsTo comment on an idea in the textTo define a word or term that may

be unfamiliar to a readerTo cite a source of information

REFERENCE FEATURES(CONT.)

Bibliography – a list of books, articles, etc. used as a reference for another document at the end of the article, essay, or research

paper listed in alphabetical order

The author’s purpose is to give credit for the information he used and to verify from which sources the information was obtained.

CONCLUDING FEATURES

Afterword – a commentary usually written by someone other than the author that comes after the author’s text. Usually found in nonfiction writing Similar to a foreword Can comment either on the text or the author

Purpose is to give a sense of closure. May answer common questions or may give

additional resources for further research. When written by the author, he/she may explain

underlying reasons for writing.

CONCLUDING FEATURES(CONT.)

Epilogue – a conclusion given at the end of a story that often tells what happens to the characters in the future. Usually found in after fictional stories / plays Often tells what happens to the characters

Purpose is to give a sense of closure. May answer common questions. When written in a play, it may be a concluding

speech given directly to the audience.

GRAPHIC

Is a photo, a design, or a display of data in the form of charts or graphs. Charts / Graphs Illustrations Diagrams

Often used to support the text.

Graph Definition Looks Like…

Line Graph A line graph uses points that are connected to show how the numbers change over TIME.

Bar Graph A bar graph uses bars to REPRESENT and COMPARE numbers.

Circle Graph A circle graph (pie chart/pie graph) uses parts of a circle to COMPARE PARTS OF A WHOLE or PERCENTAGES of different things.

Pictograph Similar to a bar graph but uses pictures instead of bars to represent a CERTAIN NUMBER of things (there will be an explanation regarding HOW MUCH a picture stands for)

*each pencil stands for 100 pencils I have loaned to students

GRAPHIC(CONT.)

TIPS

Pay more attention to the second part of each answer choice.

POSSIBLE TEST QUESTIONS

How would the sidebar support the information of the passage?

How does the sidebar support the meaning of the passage?

How will the inclusion of the sidebar support the meaning of the passage?

How does the inclusion of the timeline support the meaning of the passage?

Does the introduction support the meaning of the passage?

Which conclusion is supported by information in the graph and the passage?

POSSIBLE TEST QUESTIONS

Under which suggestion in the passage does the above statement appropriately fit?

Does the proposed afterword help to verify the information in the excerpt?

Which statement below justifies the decision to include or not to include the information in the timeline?

Which statement below justifies the author’s decision to include or not to include the foreword?

If presented as a sidebar to the passage, how would the chart support the message of the passage?

WORDS TO KNOW

Demonstrates Proposes Compassionate Cautious Indicates Proposes Isolate Verify Compliance Clarifies

Contradict Reveals Significant Elaborates Justifies Detracts Forthright Dominant Emphasize Illustrates

Mississippi SATP English II Revised: Multiple Choice Student Review Guide for Vocabulary/Reading