Question Types for Analytical Reading of Informational Text
What are the usual ingredients in informational text?
Meat of the Sandwich:
Side dishes:
Main idea
anecdotes
cause/effect statements
descriptions
comparison/contrast
embedded definitions
examples
metaphors
Bread:
Vocabulary
Condiments:
Cohesive devices:
conjunctions
relative pronouns
punctuation
Utensils:
What is referred to by
the pronouns?
What do the words
and phrases mean?
What is the organizing principle?
(classification? narrative? process?
problem/solution? description?)
Close (analytical) Reading:
Generic Questions for Informational Text: (In alphabetical order)
Main Idea: Is the main idea stated explicitly, or is it implied? Is it stated once
only, or more than once?
Other “ingredients” (aka details)
1. Anecdotes: Are there little “side stories” involving people that the author
includes to illustrate the main idea?
2. Cause/effect statements: What, if any, statements in the text answer the
question “Why?”
3. Comparison/contrast: What things, if any, are being compared and
contrasted? What are the similarities and differences between these things?
4. Descriptions: Are there any detailed descriptions in the text? Of what? What
words allow you to visualize the thing described?
5. Embedded Definitions: What, if any, words or phrases are defined within the
text?
Close (analytical) Reading:
6. Examples: What, if any, examples, are given in the text? Examples for what?
7. Metaphor: Are there metaphors? If so, what do they mean?
8. Numbers & Statistics: If there are numbers and/or statistics, what do they
refer to? How do they support the information?
Utensils:
Organization: What organizational system does the author use? Chronological?
Spatial? Order of importance? Story? Classification?
Pronoun Antecedents: Do we know the referents of all of the pronouns?
Vocabulary: Are there any key words in the text that are used in an unfamiliar
or unusual way? Does the reader have to “recalculate” the meaning of any
key words?
Close Reading Model
The South China Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by
China, Taiwan, and many countries of Southeast Asia. Because the sea
links the Pacific and Indian oceans, it is one of the world’s busiest shipping
lanes. The South China Sea is also an important region because of the
significant deposits of oil and natural gas that lie beneath its waters.
In addition, the South China Sea has one of the most diverse ecosystems
on Earth. In fact, according to environmental studies conducted in the Philippines,
the sea contains one-third of the world’s marine biodiversity. Tuna, mackerel,
anchovies, shrimp, and other fish are abundant. Seafood caught in the South
China Sea is the main source of protein for the millions of people living around the
sea.
In 2007, Chinese archaeologists watched as an 800-year-old ship was hauled
from the bottom of the South China Sea. It was loaded with 60,000 to
80,000 artifacts. Some researchers estimate that 2,000 ships lie at
the bottom of the South China Sea. However, dying coral reefs and
contaminated fish also lie underwater—the result of pollution.
“Water Resources”. National Geographic Global Issues. McGraw Hill.
Close Reading Model:
Stopping Points (Analysis through Cohesive Devices)
The South China Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by
China, Taiwan, and many countries of Southeast Asia. Because the sea
links the Pacific and Indian oceans, it is one of the world’s busiest shipping
lanes. The South China Sea is also an important region because of the
significant deposits of oil and natural gas that lie beneath its waters.
In addition, the South China Sea has one of the most diverse ecosystems
on Earth. In fact, according to environmental studies conducted in the Philippines,
the sea contains one-third of the world’s marine biodiversity. Tuna, mackerel,
anchovies, shrimp, and other fish are abundant. Seafood caught in the South
China Sea is the main source of protein for the millions of people living around the
sea.
In 2007, Chinese archaeologists watched as an 800-year-old ship was hauled
from the bottom of the South China Sea. It was loaded with 60,000 to
80,000 artifacts. Some researchers estimate that 2,000 ships lie at
the bottom of the South China Sea. However, dying coral reefs and
contaminated fish also lie underwater— the result of pollution.
“Water Resources”. National Geographic Global Issues. McGraw Hill.
Close Reading Model: AWL Words
The South China Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by
China, Taiwan, and many countries of Southeast Asia. Because the sea
links the Pacific and Indian oceans, it is one of the world’s busiest shipping
lanes. The South China Sea is also an important region (2) because of the
significant (1) deposits of oil and natural gas that lie beneath its waters.
In addition, the South China Sea has one of the most diverse ecosystems
on Earth. In fact, according to environmental(1) studies conducted in the
Philippines, the sea contains one-third of the world’s marine biodiversity. Tuna,
mackerel, anchovies, shrimp, and other fish are abundant. Seafood caught in the
South China Sea is the main source of protein for the millions of people living around
the sea.
In 2007, Chinese archaeologists watched as an 800-year-old ship was hauled
from the bottom of the South China Sea. It was loaded with 60,000 to
80,000 artifacts. Some researchers (1) estimate (1) that 2,000 ships lie at
the bottom of the South China Sea. However, dying coral reefs and
contaminated fish also lie underwater—the result of pollution.
“Water Resources”. National Geographic Global Issues. McGraw Hill.
Close Reading Model: “Ingredients”
The South China Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean
and is surrounded by China, Taiwan, and many countries
of Southeast Asia. Because the sea links the Pacific and Indian
oceans, it is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The
South China Sea is also an important region because of the
significant deposits of oil and natural gas that lie beneath its waters.
In addition, the South China Sea has one of the most
diverse ecosystems on Earth. In fact, according to environmental
studies conducted in the Phillippines,the sea contains one-third
of the world’s marine biodiversity. Tuna, mackerel, anchovies,
shrimp, and other fish are abundant. Seafood caught in the South
China Sea is the main source of protein for the millions of people
living around the sea.
In 2007, Chinese archaeologists watched as an 800-year-old
ship was hauledfrom the bottom of the South China Sea. It was
loaded with 60,000 to 80,000 artifacts. Some researchers estimate
that 2,000 ships lie at the bottom of the South China Sea.
However, dying coral reefs and contaminated fish also lie
underwater—the result of pollution.
“Water Resources”. National Geographic Global Issues. McGraw Hill.
-anecdotes?
-cause & effect
statements?
-comparison/
contrast?
-descriptions?
-embedded
definitions?
-examples?
-metaphor?
-statistics?
Close Reading Mode: AWL Words:
Harmful Fishing Practices
Certain fishing practices are causing additional problem in
the South China Sea. Fish for food—as well as fish for aquariums—
are caught in the South China Sea using cyanide fishing. Fishermen spray a
poison called sodium cyanide into the water above coral reefs because reefs
are like underwater jungles where many species live. Since the poison is diluted
in the water, it usually doesn’t kill the fish. Instead it stuns the fish and allows the
fishermen to catch them. However, the poison weakens the fish. Many owners
of tropical aquariums oppose cyanide fishing because fish caught using that
method often die sooner than others.
Cyanide fishing can also harm coral reefs. The poison collects on the reefs and
kills them. Coral reefs are made from the skeletons of tiny marine animals, a
process that takes years. Scientists are worried that coral reefs around
the world are being killed by human activities more quickly than nature can
replace them. Coral reefs are important because they provide a home for many
different species of fish. They also supply food, jobs, and even sources of
medicines for millions of people.
Close Reading Mode: Stopping Points
(Analysis through Cohesive Devices)
Harmful Fishing Practices
Certain fishing practices are causing additional problems in
the South China Sea. Fish for food— as well as fish for aquariums—
are caught in the South China Sea using cyanide fishing. Fishermen spray a
poison called sodium cyanide into the water above coral reefs because reefs
are like underwater jungles where many species live. Since the poison is diluted
in the water, it usually doesn’t kill the fish. Instead it stuns the fish and allows the
fishermen to catch them. However, the poison weakens the fish. Many owners
of tropical aquariums oppose cyanide fishing because fish caught using that
method often die sooner than others.
Cyanide fishing can also harm coral reefs. The poison collects on the reefs and
kills them. Coral reefs are made from the skeletons of tiny marine animals, a process
that takes years. Scientists are worried that coral reefs around the world are being
killed by human activities more quickly than nature can replace them. Coral reefs
are important because they provide a home for many different species of fish. They
also supply food, jobs, and even sources of medicines for milliions of people.
Close Reading Mode: Content “ingredients”
Harmful Fishing Practices
Certain fishing practices are causing additional problem
in the South China Sea. Fish for food—as well as fish for
aquariums—are caught in the South China Sea using cyanide
fishing. Fishermen spray a poison called sodium cyanide into
the water above coral reefs because reefs are like underwater
jungles where many species live. Since the poison is diluted
in the water, it usually doesn’t kill the fish. Instead it stuns the
fish and allows the fishermen to catch them. However, the
poison weakens the fish. Many ownersof tropical aquariums
oppose cyanide fishing because fish caught using that
method often die sooner than others.
Cyanide fishing can also harm coral reefs. The poison
collects on the reefs and kills them. Coral reefs are made
from the skeletons of tiny marine animals, a process
that takes years. Scientists are worried that coral reefs
around the world are being killed by human activities more
quickly than nature can replace them. Coral reefs are
important because they provide a home for many different
species of fish. They also supply food, jobs, and even sources
of medicines for millions of people.
-anecdotes?
-cause & effect
statements?
-comparison/
contrast?
-descriptions?
-embedded
definitions?
-examples?
-metaphor?
-statistics?
Close Reading Mode: AWL Words:
Harmful Fishing Practices
Certain fishing practices are causing additional problem in
the South China Sea. Fish for food—as well as fish for aquariums—
are caught in the South China Sea using cyanide fishing. Fishermen spray a
poison called sodium cyanide into the water above coral reefs because reefs
are like underwater jungles where many species live. Since the poison is diluted
in the water, it usually doesn’t kill the fish. Instead it stuns the fish and allows the
fishermen to catch them. However, the poison weakens the fish. Many owners
of tropical aquariums oppose cyanide fishing because fish caught using that
method often die sooner than others.
Cyanide fishing can also harm coral reefs. The poison collects on the reefs and
kills them. Coral reefs are made from the skeletons of tiny marine animals, a
process (1) that takes years. Scientists are worried that coral reefs around
the world are being killed by human activities more quickly than nature can
replace them. Coral reefs are important because they provide a home for many
different species of fish. They also supply food, jobs, and even sources (1) of
medicines for millions of people.