Non-Fiction Features

When students are reading nonfiction texts, they not only have to be able to comprehend the information, but they have to analyze the different features within the text.  This month we will discuss these features and their purpose.

Nonfiction Feature #1: Charts and Graphs allow the reader to analyze data visually by comparing it with other information in an easier to read format.	Nonfiction Feature #2: Headings/Subheadings are a signal from the author about important information.  They are usually bigger, bolder font and say:  PAY ATTENTION!	Nonfiction Feature #3: Labels are word tags next to important pictures connected with arrows.  Labels often identify smaller parts of a bigger picture.
Nonfiction Feature #4: Sidebars are bullet points of information off to the left or right of the main text area.  They are usually short pieces of information which add to the main idea of the article.	Nonfiction Feature #5: The index is also found at the end of the book.  It lists words in alphabetical order, and gives the page numbers where the information can be found.	Nonfiction Feature #6: The glossary is a special dictionary containing important vocabulary words from the book.  It is usually found at the end of the book.
Nonfiction Feature #7: Pronunciation guides help students with vocabulary words they may not be familiar with in the text.  They spell out the word phonetically inside a set of parentheses.	Nonfiction Feature #8: The table of contents, found at the beginning of a book, allows you to start reading where ever you want in a nonfiction text by giving you a preview of the section’s contents.	Nonfiction Feature #9: Nothing helps the reader more than photographs/illustrations and captions.  The caption helps to give meaning to the photograph or illustration.