Determining Importance

Taken from: 7 Keys to Comprehension

By: Susan Zimmermann & Chryse

Presented By: Myrja Fuller

The Role of Determining Importance

MAN OF THE HOUR…

Determining Importance has do with knowing why you’re reading and then

making decisions about which information or ideas are most critical to

understanding the overall meaning of the

piece.

Why are you reading?

Know your purpose for reading.

• You might read to escape, laugh, learn, answering gnawing questions, getting ready for a presentation, finishing a homework assignment, etc.

• Your purpose for reading affects how carefully you read and has an impact on what you determine is important.

Determining What is Important

• In nonfiction, including textbooks, the layout provides critical tips for identifying what is important.

Determining what is important• In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations,

Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.

• They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!

• Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.

Determining what is important• In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations,

Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.

• They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!

• Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.

Determining what is important• In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations,

Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.

• They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!

• Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.

Determining what is important• In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations,

Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.

• They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!

• Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.

Determining what is important• In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations,

Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.

• They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!

• Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.

Text FeaturesText features are road signs for the reader.

They point to what’s important.

Text Features

• Table of Contents: Read the titles of the different chapters. Which topics interest you? You may want to read those chapters first.

Text Features

• Pictures: Often times, the pictures tell us the most important information on a page, and the caption further highlights it.

Text Features

• Glossary: When reading nonfiction, don’t forget to read the glossary first to find out what the important words mean.

Text Features

• Index: The index is found in the back of a nonfiction book. Knowing how to use an index will help you find specific information quickly.

Text Features

These features alert you to importance:

Boxing Information

Labeling Pictures

Boldfacing Ideas

Text Features

Authors leave clues as to what they think is important to: remember. Phrases like “ As a result” and “In summary” alert you to watch for essential information.

What Kids Say

What Kids Say

What Kids Say

What Kids Say

Books for Determining Importance

•Koala Lou, Mem Fox

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, Lois Ehlert

•El Chino, Allen Say

•Sarah, Plain, and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan

Missing May, Cynthia Rylant

•Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the American West, Steven Kroll

Dear Mr. Henshaw, Beverly Cleary

•A Boy at War: A Novel of Pearl Harbor, Harry Mazer

•Hatchet, Gary Paulsen