Previewing Text / Text Structure
CTE READS: Previewing Text/Text Structure
Written by: Carilyn Knill, Peggy LaShier, Ann Tebo, Kathy Wooton
School: Skyline Grade Level and/or Subject: High School Length of Study: 15-30
minutes
Content Objective: TSW
 Identify the text structure of an article or book to use as their comprehensive
advantage.
 Examine the visual aids and extra features included in the text to identify why
they are important to the overall text message.
Lesson or Performance Objective:
Previewing Text / Text Structure –In this lesson you will guide your students through a
typical chapter if you use a text, or an article that would be appropriate for your
curriculum.
Standards Addressed:
AIMS Connection:
Strand 1: The Reading Process
Concept 6: Comprehension Strategies
PO 1. Predict text content using prior knowledge and text features (e.g., illustrations, titles, topic
sentences, key words).
Strand 3: Comprehending Informational Text
Concept 1: Expository Text
PO 3. Locate specific information by using organizational features (e.g., table of contents, headings,
captions, bold print, italics, glossaries, indices, key/guide words, topic sentences, concluding sentences,
end notes, footnotes, bibliographic references) in expository text.
PO 5. Interpret graphic sources of information (e.g., charts, maps, diagrams, illustrations, tables,
timelines, graphs) to support ideas.
Materials, Resources and Technology Needed:
Attached worksheets and/or textbook or teacher chosen article
Instructional Procedures or Anticipatory Set:
Good introduction to a new article or chapter in textbook.
Presentation Skills
Even if you’re not ready yet to delve into the book, this is a great opportunity for students
to get a preview of what they will be expected to read in your class. Use the Previewing
the Text and / or the Chapter Preview / Text Structure pages (following this) to guide
your students through looking at the features of the book and its chapters.
Assessment:
Teacher prepared assessment, or completed worksheets attached.
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Previewing Text / Text Structure
Previewing the Text
Title of Text_______________________________
Analyze the text title. What will this book / course cover?
List the type of information covered prior to Chapter 1. Look at all of the pages before chapter
1 starts to figure this out.
Looking at the Table of Contents list what each of the units in the book will cover.
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
3. __________________________________________
4. __________________________________________
5. __________________________________________
6. __________________________________________
7. __________________________________________
Is there a glossary? If so what page does it start on? ___________
Is there an index? If so, what page does it start on? ___________
Is there an appendix? If so, what page does it start on? __________
Describe the differences between the Glossary, Index and Appendix
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Previewing Text / Text Structure
Chapter Preview / Text Structure
Before chapters are read, students should preview or survey what they are about to read. This can
be done orally using the steps below, or more formally by students completing the Chapter
Survey Guide handout.
READING SELECTION REVIEW PROCESS: This strategy helps students become
familiar with chapter(s) prior to reading them.
1. Analyze the chapter title: Read the title to predict what will be included in the
chapter. Ask the following questions:
 What do I think this chapter is going to cover?
 What do I already know about this topic?
 How do I think this chapter might relate to previous information or material
we have learned?
2. Read and think about the chapter objectives, if provided. When objectives are
provided they guide the reader to be aware of what it is that the author expects the
reader to learn from that part of the book.
3. Identify key vocabulary: Skim through the chapter to locate vocabulary,
focusing on italicized or boldfaced words and lists of key words at the beginning
or end of the chapter.
4. Analyze the headings and subheadings: Skim through the chapter to locate and
read any subtitles. Ask the following questions:
 How is the information organized in this chapter?
 What information did I gather that supports what I already know about this topic?
5. Look for review questions: After skimming through the chapter, look over the review
questions at the end of the chapter to verify key concepts.
6. Analyze the visual aids. Carefully study the visuals. Ask the following question:
 What information do the charts or graphs contain that I will read more about
in the chapter?
 How will the illustrations and visual aides support the information covered?
7. Read the introductory paragraph. Read to discover how the information in the
introduction fits with the information gathered in the first four steps of the
Reading Selection Review Process.
8. Read the chapter summary and/or concluding paragraph. Discover what the
author has identified as the key concepts to be covered in this reading selection.
After completing the review process, it is time to read the rest of the chapter! “Chunking” long chapters
into smaller parts makes it easier for most students to navigate successfully through complex reading
materials.
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Previewing Text / Text Structure
Chapter (or Section) Survey Guide Form
Chapter/Section Title_______________________________ Pages _______ - ______
Analyze the chapter or section title. What will this portion cover?
List key vocabulary covered in this chapter or section.
Identify at least two of the objectives, if they are included.
Identify at least two subheadings or subtitles.
Analyze visual aides. What types of visual aides are included?
Explain how reading the information in the chapter or section summary and/or reading the
questions at the end can help you prepare for the reading and completing the exercises.
What experiences have you had that relate to what will be learned in this chapter or section?
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