Informational Text
Strategies for
Improving
Reading Comprehension
Think While You Read
Make Connections
Ask Questions
Make Inferences
Visualize
Determine Importance in Text
Synthesize Information
from Strategies that Work, Harvey and Goudvis, 2000
Make Connections
Between the text and your past
experience or background knowledge
Between the text and another text
Between the text and things that
happen in the world
Ask Questions While Reading
Proficient readers continually ask
questions
Before reading
During reading
After reading
Make Inferences While
Reading
Not all “answers” or facts can be found
directly in the text.
“Read between the lines.”
Writers sometimes IMPLY meaning;
readers INFER that meaning.
Visualize While Reading
Create pictures in your mind
Use author’s words
Use your own background/experience
Make comparisons
Note words that appeal to senses
Determine Important Facts
and Details While Reading
Activate prior knowledge
Note characteristics of text
Skim text
Read bold print, illustrations, graphs and
tables
Read first and last line of each paragraph
carefully
Take notes or highlight text when possible;
use sticky notes in textbooks
Synthesize After Reading
Retell information
Add personal response
Make comparisons and contrasts
Attempt to answer “I wonder” questions
Make application of reading to real
world
External Text Features That
Signal Importance
Fonts and Effects
Cue Words and Phrases
Illustrations and Photographs
Graphics
Text Organizers
Text Structures
from Strategies that Work, Harvey and Goudvis, 2000
Informational Text Organizers
Table of contents
Preface
Index
Glossary
Appendix
Informational Text
Structures
Chronological/Sequential Order: A main idea is supported by details
that must be in a particular sequence.
Enumeration/Description: A major idea is supported by a list of details
or examples.
Comparison/Contrast: The supporting details of two or more main
ideas indicate how those concepts are similar or different.
Cause/Effect: The supporting details give the causes of a main idea or
the supporting details are the results produced by the main idea.
Pennsylvania Assessment System
Classroom Connections, 2005
Signal Words and Phrases to Look
for in Chronological Structure
first
next
then
initially
before
after
when
finally
preceding
following
Remember!
Chronological/Sequential Order: A
main idea is supported by details that
must be in a particular sequence.
Text structure:
Chronological/Sequential Order
Example:
First, Golden Eagles soar high along
ridges near their nests. Then, they
search for prey. When a meal is
spotted, they attack in a long swoop.
Signal Words and Phrases to
Look for in Enumeration
for instance
for example
such as
to illustrate
most important
in addition
another
furthermore
first
second
Remember!
Enumeration/Description: A
major idea is supported by a list
of details or examples.
Text Structure:
Enumeration/Description
Example:
Golden Eagles are birds of prey. First,
Golden Eagles search for prey. Second,
Golden Eagles swoop through the air to
attack their prey.
Signal Word and Phrases to
Look for in Cause and Effect
so that
because of
thus
unless
since
as a result
then
consequently
Remember!
Cause/Effect: The supporting details
give the causes of a main idea or the
supporting details are the results
produced by the main idea
Text Structure:
Cause and Effect
Example:
Many Bald Eagles were killed by
pesticides and illegal hunting; as a
result, they were in danger of becoming
extinct.
Signal Word and Phrases to
Look for in Comparisons
different from
same as
similar to
as opposed to
instead of
although
however
compared with
as well as
either... or
Remember!
Comparison/Contrast: The supporting
details of two or more main ideas
indicate how those concepts are similar
or different.
Text Structure: Compare and
Contrast
Example:
Golden Eagles are apt to hunt for prey.
This differs from Bald Eagles, who are
more likely to take an easy meal.
When Assigned an
Informational Text:
Use strategies before reading,
while reading, and after reading!
You will comprehend the material
better and be able to do your
assignments more easily ;)