text analysis - author’s purpose and main idea louisburg, december 5, 2007 -group b kristi orcutt,...
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Text AnalysisText Analysis - - Author’s Purpose Author’s Purpose and Main Ideaand Main Idea
Louisburg, December 5, 2007 -Louisburg, December 5, 2007 -Group BGroup B
Kristi Orcutt, Literacy SpecialistKristi Orcutt, Literacy Specialist
Defining Good ReadersDefining Good Readers
““The ability to The ability to analyze analyze the author’s purposethe author’s purpose and perspective is just and perspective is just as essential as literal as essential as literal and inferential and inferential comprehension.”comprehension.”
-Gwynne Ellen Ash-Gwynne Ellen Ash
Text Text TYPETYPE = Author’s = Author’s PurposePurpose
TT-T-Technicalechnical (to inform, instruct, tell (to inform, instruct, tell how)how)
YY-Y-Your Storyour Story -Narrative-Narrative (to (to entertain)entertain)
PP-Persuasive-Persuasive (to persuade, convince)(to persuade, convince)
EE-Expository-Expository (to inform, tell about, (to inform, tell about, explain)explain)
Question Stems - Author’s Question Stems - Author’s PurposePurpose
The main purpose of this passage is to- (explain, persuade, entertain, describe…)
What is the author’s main purpose for writing this passage?
What is the author of this passage trying to persuade you to do/believe?
With which statement would the author most likely agree?
The web site was created mainly to-
Expository Text Expository Text
“ “Informational text is the most Informational text is the most complicated type of nonfiction complicated type of nonfiction because the purposes are so because the purposes are so varied. The purpose of varied. The purpose of informational text dictates the informational text dictates the structure. Not all structure. Not all informational texts have the informational texts have the same structure.”same structure.”
- Buss & Karnowski, - Buss & Karnowski, Reading & Writing Nonfiction Reading & Writing Nonfiction GenresGenres
Identify Author’s Purpose/ Text Identify Author’s Purpose/ Text TypeType
Skim the sample passagesSkim the sample passages Mark places you think might Mark places you think might
cause confusioncause confusion Identify the Identify the mainmain text type of text type of
each passageeach passage– NarrativeNarrative– ExpositoryExpository– TechnicalTechnical– PersuasivePersuasive
Possible ConfusionsPossible Confusions
Two major text types - fiction and nonfiction Two major text types - fiction and nonfiction - have been re-categorized as four- have been re-categorized as four
Author’s may have had more than one Author’s may have had more than one purpose in mindpurpose in mind
Engaging text often contains multiple typesEngaging text often contains multiple types Students are not generally asked to Students are not generally asked to
compare text typescompare text types Students are not generally asked to identify Students are not generally asked to identify
and analyze the author’s purpose - only and analyze the author’s purpose - only read to gain content knowledgeread to gain content knowledge
Possible ConfusionsPossible Confusions
Both Both Narrative and ExpositoryNarrative and Expository elements in one passageelements in one passage– Use a Use a wide angle lenswide angle lens
Overall, how much is narrative Overall, how much is narrative and how much is expository?and how much is expository?
Is the introduction a “hook” to Is the introduction a “hook” to engage readers?engage readers?
Example: “Raising Royal Treasure” pages 12-13
Possible ConfusionsPossible Confusions Persuasive and Technical are Persuasive and Technical are
also also alwaysalways Expository! Expository!– Use a Use a zoom angle lenszoom angle lens
Expository to explain, inform
Technical to explain, describe steps
Persuasive to persuade, convince
Identifying Identifying PersuasivePersuasive TextText
1. Are TWO sides presented?1. Are TWO sides presented?If NOT…If NOT…2. Is there another side/perspective?2. Is there another side/perspective?
– Whose story is being told?Whose story is being told?– Whose story is Whose story is NOTNOT being told? being told? – Why? Would some people disagree with the Why? Would some people disagree with the
writer’s beliefs or arguments?writer’s beliefs or arguments?
3. Do 3. Do youyou agree or disagree with the agree or disagree with the things the writer would like you to things the writer would like you to believe? Why?believe? Why?
Topic, Main Idea, Supporting Topic, Main Idea, Supporting DetailsDetails Which of the animals in this passage are considered dangerous? Which of the following materials are needed to make a sundial? What is the main idea of this passage? What is the main purpose of the information in the textbox? Which detail from the passage best supports the main idea? What information in this passage supports the idea that roller
coasters are safe? Which characteristic of sloth bears is most important for
climbing and digging? Another title for this passage might be –
Topic, Main Idea, Supporting Topic, Main Idea, Supporting DetailsDetails
Distinguish between specific and general words Distinguish between specific and general words Distinguish between specific and general Distinguish between specific and general
sentences sentences Identify the topic of a paragraph Identify the topic of a paragraph Identify the controlling thought in a paragraph Identify the controlling thought in a paragraph Identify the topic sentence in the paragraph Identify the topic sentence in the paragraph Infer the main idea when a topic sentence is Infer the main idea when a topic sentence is
absentabsent Paraphrase the main idea Paraphrase the main idea Identify supporting details in a paragraphIdentify supporting details in a paragraph Use transition words to help understand the Use transition words to help understand the
organization of the paragraphorganization of the paragraph
Topic, Main Idea, Supporting Topic, Main Idea, Supporting DetailsDetails
TOPIC:TOPIC: the subject of the whole the subject of the whole paragraphparagraph
MAIN IDEA:MAIN IDEA: the point that the the point that the whole paragraph makeswhole paragraph makes
SUPPORTING DETAILS:SUPPORTING DETAILS: the the sentences that explain the main sentences that explain the main ideaidea
Identifying Main Ideas
What is a topic?
"A topic is a word or phrase that tells what the author is writing about in a paragraph." (from Opening Doors, p.191)
"The topic of a passage is a word or phrase that labels the subject but does not reveal the specific contents of the passage." (from Bridging the Gap: College Reading, p.124
What is a stated main idea?
"A stated main idea is the sentence in a paragraph that contains both the topic and the author’s single most important point about the topic." (p.172, Opening Doors)
"The main idea of a passage is the central message that the author is trying to convey about the material." (p.122, Bridging the Gap:
College Reading)
To find the main idea of a paragraph or passage, ask
yourself:
What is the most important point the author wants me to
understand about the topic?
Where can the main idea appear?
At the beginning of the paragraph At the end of the paragraph Within the paragraph
Implied in the paragraph
At the beginning of the paragraph:
"Beginning a new job is always exciting and sometimes intimidating. There is an invigorating feeling of a fresh start and a clean slate. You face new challenges and draw on a renewed sense of energy as you approach them. But you may also feel apprehensive . . . " (p.196, Opening Doors)
At the end of the paragraph:
“. . .Most Anglo-Americans, for instance, see the extensive family obligations of Hispanics as a burdensome arrangement that inhibits individual freedom. Hispanics, in contrast, view the isolated nuclear family of Anglo-Americans as a lonely institution that cuts people off from the love and assistance of their kin. This tendency to view one's own cultural patterns as good and right and those of others as strange or even immoral is called ethnocentrism." (p.197, Opening Doors)
Within the paragraph:
" Jim always seems to score well on tests. How does he do it? Jim offers these tips for successful studying. The first step is to decide what to study. Find out what topics will be covered on the test. Next, organize your notes and other materials on these topics. Third, make study guides to use as memory aids. Your final step is to review your notes and study guides until you feel confident about taking the test." (from Becoming a Confident Reader, p.200)
"All organisms must insure that their offspring have a reasonable chance to survive and begin a new generation. Plants, however, face special challenges. Plants do not have nervous systems, and they are not able to run away from predators or pests. Because nearly all plants live in fixed positions, they must also manage to find mates without being able to move around. Therefore they have evolved strategies for dealing with these problems that are essentially passive. An important part of such strategies is a reproductive pattern enabling each individual to produce large numbers of offspring."
(Levine and Miller, Biology, 1991)
General vs. SpecificGeneral vs. Specific
The The main idea in a paragraph is a main idea in a paragraph is a general general ideaidea.. In contrast, the In contrast, the supporting information supporting information in a paragraph is made up of in a paragraph is made up of specificspecific ideas ideas and details. and details.
To improve your skill at finding main ideas, To improve your skill at finding main ideas, you need to practice distinguishing between you need to practice distinguishing between general and specific ideas.general and specific ideas.
The The general idea includes all the specific general idea includes all the specific ideasideas..
Check It Out… Check It Out…
See if you can identify See if you can identify the general word in each the general word in each group.group.
a) jealousy hatred a) jealousy hatred emotion worryemotion worry
b) spiders cockroaches b) spiders cockroaches mosquitoes insectsmosquitoes insects
c) chemistry science c) chemistry science physics biologyphysics biology
Answers and Answers and ExplanationsExplanations
a) The general idea is a) The general idea is "emotions" because it includes "emotions" because it includes all of the others as examples.all of the others as examples.
b) The general idea is b) The general idea is "insects" because it includes "insects" because it includes all of the others as examples.all of the others as examples.
c) The general idea is c) The general idea is "science" because it includes "science" because it includes all of the others as examples.all of the others as examples.
Identify main ideas:Identify main ideas:
General ideas:General ideas: broad ideas that apply broad ideas that apply to a large number of individual itemsto a large number of individual items– ClothingClothing– PiesPies
Specific ideas or terms:Specific ideas or terms: more more detailed or particular; referring to an detailed or particular; referring to an individual itemindividual item– ScarfScarf– Apple, cherry, chocolate creamApple, cherry, chocolate cream
Identifying Main Ideas
Which are general?Which are general?
Soda, coffee, Soda, coffee, beverage, winebeverage, wine
Pounds, ounces, Pounds, ounces, kilograms, kilograms, weightsweights
Soap operas, news, Soap operas, news, TV programs, sports TV programs, sports specialspecial
Sociology, social Sociology, social sciences, sciences, anthropology, anthropology, psychologypsychology
Identifying Main Ideas
The The main idea is the most main idea is the most general statementgeneral statement about the about the topic:topic:
People differ in numerous ways. People differ in numerous ways. They differ according to physical They differ according to physical characteristics, such as height, characteristics, such as height, weight, and hair color. They also weight, and hair color. They also differ in personality. Some people differ in personality. Some people are friendly and easygoing. Others are friendly and easygoing. Others are more reserved and formal.are more reserved and formal.
Which is the most general statement?
Identifying Main Ideas
What is the What is the topictopic of the of the following?following?Nutrition is the process of taking in and using Nutrition is the process of taking in and using food for growth, repair, and maintenance of the food for growth, repair, and maintenance of the body. The science of nutrition is the study of body. The science of nutrition is the study of foods and how the body uses them. Many foods and how the body uses them. Many North Americans define nutrition as eating a North Americans define nutrition as eating a healthful diet. But what is healthful? Our food healthful diet. But what is healthful? Our food choices may be influenced by fads, advertising, choices may be influenced by fads, advertising, or convenience. We may reflect on the or convenience. We may reflect on the meaning of nutrition while pushing a cart down meaning of nutrition while pushing a cart down a supermarket aisle, or while making a a supermarket aisle, or while making a selection from a restaurant menu.selection from a restaurant menu.
Finding the Main IdeaFinding the Main Idea
1.1. Locate the Topic Locate the Topic ----person, place, object, ideaperson, place, object, idea2.2. Locate the Most General SentenceLocate the Most General Sentence -- --the the
topic sentencetopic sentence Topic Sentence First (usually)Topic Sentence First (usually) Topic Sentence Last (second in frequency)Topic Sentence Last (second in frequency) Topic Sentence in the MiddleTopic Sentence in the Middle Topic Sentence First and Last (last = Topic Sentence First and Last (last =
emphasis)emphasis)
3.3. Study the DetailsStudy the Details——all the sentences in a all the sentences in a paragraph must relate/support/explain the paragraph must relate/support/explain the main idea.main idea.
Inferring Unstated Main Inferring Unstated Main IdeasIdeas
1.1. FindFind the topic. the topic.
2.2. DecideDecide what the writer what the writer wants you to know about wants you to know about the topic.the topic.
3.3. ExpressExpress this idea in your this idea in your own words.own words.
Identifying Main Ideas
Good Reading on the Web Good Reading on the Web Content Area ResourcesContent Area Resources
Supplement classroom text with PERSUASIVE text!!
Individual/Team PlanningIndividual/Team Planning
Analyze an upcoming reading assignment. Analyze an upcoming reading assignment. How will you teach:How will you teach:
• Main Ideas & Supporting DetailsMain Ideas & Supporting Details• Author’s PurposeAuthor’s Purpose
How will you supplement current How will you supplement current classroom text with additional classroom text with additional persuasive passages?persuasive passages?
• Good Reading on the WebGood Reading on the Web