Textbook+feature+analysis

Description
> [Description is taken from Albuquerque Public Schools publication "Teaching and Learning with Text."] > > In order to make ideas and information in books accessible to readers, authors use //internal// and //external// text structures. Strategic readers can use these structures to access information, monitor their comprehension and retain the most important information within the text. > > __External text structures__ include format clues such as //italics//, **boldface** and different colored print. They include organizational aids such as a table of contents, appendices, bibliographies and a glossary. Units and chapters also include headings, subheadings, graphs, charts, and reading guides. > > __Internal text structures__ are used by authors to logically connect ideas to one another. Strategic readers can look for four basic organizational structures in informational text: hierarchical (main idea and details); conceptual (central idea and supporting facts): sequential (chronological series of events); and cyclical (circular series of events). > > When readers are aware of basic text structures, they can be more analytical in their interactions with text.

Examples
> > >
 * 1) Introduce a new textbook with a textbook feature analysis assignment.
 * 1) Help students identify text structures and then use graphic organizers to process the information.
 * 1) Teach students to look for signal words. Signal words tell the reader that a particular text structure will follow (e.g., cause/effect, a sequence, or compare/contrast).

Resources

 * 1) [|The English Companion] (has many graphic organizers; at the bottom of the page is a Textbook Feature Analysis)
 * 2) [|Text structure analysis] (has examples of signal words and graphic organizers to use with different kinds of text structures)
 * 3) NEA [|Using Text Structure] (description and examples)
 * 4) [|Literacy Matters] (description, examples and links)
 * 5) [|Resource Room] (signal words examples and lists)
 * 6) [|Montgomery County Community College] (signal words list and exercises)
 * 7) [|Florida Online Reading Strategies] (discussion, examples, downloads and additional references)