Informational Text

Strategies for Improving

Reading Comprehension

Think While You Read

Make ConnectionsAsk QuestionsMake InferencesVisualizeDetermine Importance in TextSynthesize Informationfrom Strategies that Work, Harvey and Goudvis, 2000

Make Connections

Between the text and your past experience or background knowledge

Between the text and another textBetween the text and things that

happen in the world

Ask Questions While Reading

Proficient readers continually ask questions Before readingDuring readingAfter reading

Make Inferences While Reading

Not all “answers” or facts can be found directly in the text.

“Read between the lines.”Writers sometimes IMPLY meaning;

readers INFER that meaning.

Visualize While Reading

Create pictures in your mindUse author’s wordsUse your own background/experience

Make comparisonsNote words that appeal to senses

Determine Important Facts and Details While Reading

Activate prior knowledgeNote characteristics of textSkim text Read bold print, illustrations, graphs

and tablesRead first and last line of each

paragraph carefullyTake notes or highlight text when

possible; use sticky notes in textbooks

Synthesize After Reading

Retell informationAdd personal responseMake comparisons and contrastsAttempt to answer “I wonder”

questions Make application of reading to real

world

External Text Features That Signal Importance

Fonts and EffectsCue Words and PhrasesIllustrations and PhotographsGraphicsText OrganizersText Structures

from Strategies that Work, Harvey and Goudvis, 2000

Informational Text Organizers

Table of contents Preface IndexGlossaryAppendix

Informational Text Structures

Chronological/Sequential Order: A main idea is supported by details that must be in a particular sequence.

Enumeration/Description: A major idea is supported by a list of details or examples.

Pennsylvania Assessment System Classroom Connections, 2005

Informational Text Structures

Comparison/Contrast: The supporting details of two or more main ideas indicate how those concepts are similar or different.

Cause/Effect: The supporting details give the causes of a main idea or the supporting details are the results produced by the main idea.

Signal Words and Phrases to Look for in Chronological Structure

first next then initially before

after when finally preceding following

Text structure: Chronological/Sequential

Order

Example: First, Golden Eagles soar high along

ridges near their nests. Then, they search for prey. When a meal is spotted, they attack in a long swoop.

Signal Words and Phrases to Look for in Enumeration

in additionanotherfurthermorefirstsecond

for instancefor examplesuch asto illustratemost important

Text Structure: Enumeration/Description

Example: Golden Eagles are birds of prey. First,

Golden Eagles search for prey. Second, Golden Eagles swoop through the air to attack their prey.

Signal Word and Phrases to Look for in Cause and Effect

so that because of thus unless

since as a result then

consequently

Text Structure: Cause and Effect

Example:

Many Bald Eagles were killed by pesticides and illegal hunting; as a result, they were in danger of becoming extinct.

Signal Word and Phrases to Look for in Comparisons

different from same as similar to as opposed to instead of

although however compared with as well as either... or

Text Structure: Compare and Contrast

Example: Golden Eagles are apt to hunt for prey.

This differs from Bald Eagles, who are more likely to take an easy meal.

When Assigned an Informational Text:

• Use strategies before reading, while reading, and after reading! You will comprehend the material

better and be able to do your assignments more easily ;)