Text Features

Caption• Definition:– Explains what is shown in a picture or

illustration• Purpose:– To better understand key information about

a table, graph, or picture • Example:

Caption• Practice–Using your textbook, find a

caption on p. 29. Write what is included in the caption on the line provided.

“Historic photo of Harlem, showing 122nd Street between 7th and

8th Avenues.

Footnote• Definition:– Text placed at the bottom (foot) of a page in

a book or document.– Usually flagged by a number immediately

following that portion of the text that the note is in reference to.

• Purpose:– To provide an author’s comments on the

main text.• Example:

Footnote• Practice–Using your textbook, find a

footnote on p. 103.–Write the words next to number 1

on the line provided.

1. welfare: program of financial aid provided to

people in need by the government.

Table of Contents• Definition:– A list of chapters or topics and the pages

that they start on • Purpose:– Determine the organization of the text; find

the first page of specific sections• Example:

Table of Contents • Practice–Using the Table of Contents in

your textbook, find the story “After Twenty Years”. –Write the page number on the

line provided.p. 154

Glossary• Definition:– An alphabetical list of terms or words

related to a specific subject and their definitions

• Purpose:– Look up key terms and find their

meanings • Example:

Glossary• Practice–Using the Glossary of Literary and

Reading Terms in your textbook, copy the definition for “denotation”.

Denotation: A word’s denotation is its

dictionary definition.

Index• Definition:– An alphabetical listing of key names,

terms, events, and topics with page numbers

• Purpose:– Find the page number for specific

topics in a text• Example:

Index• Practice–Using the Index of Skills in your

textbook, write the page numbers where you would find the term “simile”.

Simile: 194, 564, R132

Heading/Title• Definition:– A title at the head of a page or section

in a book which informs the reader of the text topic

• Purpose:– Identify the topic of the text

• Example:

Heading/Title• Practice–Using your textbook, find one

Heading/Title on p. 675.–Write the heading/title on the line

provided.

“The Lives of La Belle”

Subheading/Subtitle• Definition:– States the main idea of each section

of the text• Purpose: –Narrow down and locate specific

information on a textbook page• Example:

SubHeading/Subtitle• Practice–Using your textbook, find one

Subheading/Subtitle on p. 675.–Write the subheading/subtitle on

the line provided.

“Special Report”

Table/Chart• Definition:– A systematic presentation of data,

sometimes in rows and columns• Purpose:– Infer additional facts and details

related to the text • Example:

Table/Chart• Practice–Using your textbook, find the

Table/Chart on p. 473. –What is the table/chart helping a

reader understand?

How to analyze the meaning of the word

“Indomitable”

Bold/Italic Print• Definition:– Makes the text stand out to signal importance

• Purpose: – Locate or emphasize important words

• Example:

Bold/Italic Print• Practice–Using p. 473:–Find one word written in BOLD

type and print it on the line provided.–Find one word written in Italic

type and print in on the line provided.Bold: etymology

Italic: indomitable

Sidebar• Definition:– A text that is separate (on the

side) from the rest of the text• Purpose: – To include additional information

about a topic.• Example:

Sidebar• Practice–Using your textbook, find one

Sidebar on p. 477.–What does the sidebar explain to

the reader?

Science fiction is set in the future, but usually has a message about

the current way we live

Primary Source• Definition:– A first-hand account which provides

information on a particular event• Purpose:– Gain a greater sense of the topic

through a first-hand account• Example:

Secondary Source• Definition:– Provides interpretation and analysis

from a source and is one step removed from the original event

• Purpose:– Gain a greater understanding of the

topic through an author’s interpretation

• Example: