Craft & Structure in Informational
Text
KIM VOCABULARY
Figurative Meaning
• Meanings that are not
literal associated with
the image the text
creates in a readers
mind.
• Example: The lake is a
treasure chestmetaphor
• Means- It is a wonderful
find.
Simile
• Makes a comparison
using like or as.
Example:
He runs as fast as a tiger.
Metaphor
• Makes a comparison
without using like or as
Example:
He is a tiger when he runs.
Connotative Meaning
• How the word is used in • Example-The
context, often refers to
determined scientist
how it makes the reader
searched in the lake.
feel.
• Determined here is
being used positively
and may mean worthy
of respect.
Technical Meanings
• Words used in a specific
subject area.
• Example-Vocabulary
Words in Science
• Subglacial
• Meaning-beneath a
glacier, or a huge mass
of ice
Author’s Purpose
• The reason an author
gives for writing
something. In
informational writing,
the author writes to
provide facts and
details about a topic.
•
•
•
•
•
Examples:
To inform
To entertain
To persuade
To describe
Informational Text
• Text whose purpose is
to inform or educate
the reader. Will contain
facts.
• Examples: Feature
Articles, Newspapers,
Time Magazine
Persuasive Writing
• An author writes to try
to convince the reader
of something.
• Editorials
Opinion
• A view or judgment
formed about
something, not
necessarily based on
fact or knowledge.
Example:
I think that all students
should always try hard.
Point of View
• may include opinions
that indicate the
author’s point of view
on the topic.
Sometimes writer’s
contrast their opinions
with those of others to
help make a point.
• 1st Person- I
perspective
• 2nd Person- “You”
• 3rd- He or She
• Point of view will prove
something in
informational writingScuba diving has many
benefits.
Perspective
• Also known as the point
of view- it is the stance
that the writer takes in
their writing.
It could also be called how
they see it.
Word Choice
• The words the author
selects to use that
establishes the tone of
the passage.
• If my tone is admiring, I
might use words or
phrases like “beautiful”
or “kind and gentle”.
Tone
• The author’s voice or
attitude about what he
or she writes.
• Example- happy, sad,
annoyed, anxious, etc.
Text Structure
• The way the text is
organized.
• Cause and effect
• Sequence
• Chronological
Organizational patterns
• Another term for text
structures- refers to
how the text is
organized on the page.
• Comparison/Contrast
• Description
Cause & Effect
• Type of text structure
that describes a reason
and its effect(s)
• Examples- Signal words
such as effect, as a
result, because, for this
reason
Comparison/ Contrast
• Type of text structure
that compares and
contrasts specific
elements of two or
more things.
• Examples- Signal words
alike, as opposed to,
different, in common,
on the other hand,
similar
Description
• Type of text structure
that describes a topic
with descriptive details.
• Examples- Signal words
above, across, behind,
beside, between, far, in
front of, near, over,
under
Problem/Solution
• Type of text structure
that describes a
problem and its
solution.
• Examples- Signal words
affect, as a result,
because, consequently,
for this reason, if…then,
since, therefore
Sequence/ Process
• Type of text structure
that explains how to do
or make something in a
specific order.
• Examples- Signal words
after, before, finally,
first, last, later, next,
then
Heading
• This is the title of
nonfiction articles.
• Article heading might
be- Tips for Healthy
Living
Caption
• Text found under a
picture with a
description.
This picture shows a diagram of the food
Pyramid. This should guide you in your daily food
Intake.
Subheading
• These are the bold
words found between
sections in an article
that highlights the
topic. These are used to
organize text.
• Example in the article
Tips for Healthy Living
a subheading may be
Drink Plenty of Water
Bias
• A bias is a subjective
point of view (either
positive or negative).
Sally’s handwriting is so
neat. She must be very
smart. She deserves all
A’s on her report card.
Tommy’s handwriting is
terrible. He must not
be real smart. He
deserves at least one D
on his report card.
Stereotypes
• A stereotype is a
generalization about a
group of people.
All blondes are dumb.
• Biases can lead to
stereotypes.
All students with neat
handwriting are smart.
All students with poor
handwriting are not smart.
Girls have better handwriting
than boys.
Girls are smarter than boys.
Propaganda
• Propaganda is the
• Advertisements
spreading of ideas in a
way to force ideas onto
others. Propaganda may
include facts but not all
of them. Propaganda
usually distorts (slants)
the facts. Propaganda
can be misleading and
dangerous.
Bandwagon
• Uses the idea that
everyone is doing
something, and if you
don’t, you’ll be left out
Everyone uses social media!
Faulty Cause and Effect
• slants facts to make it • As an example of how logic
seem one event causes
can be abused, consider the
another event
following argument:
• Premise 1: Joe Smith
supports gun-control
legislation.
• Premise 2: All fascist
organizations have passed
gun-control legislation.
• Conclusion: Therefore, Joe
Smith is a fascist.
Emotional Words
• uses words that appeal
to people’s feelings
• Feed the Children
commercials or Support
the Humane Society
Expert Opinion
• uses a knowledgeable
person to convince
others
• Examples:
dermatologists,
dentists, doctors
Testimonial
• uses the name of a
famous person to
persuade
• Justin Bieber uses
proactive to get clear
skin, you should too!
Repetition
• repeats important
information over and
over
• Example: Head On!
Apply directly to the
forehead. Head On!
Apply directly to the
forehead. Head On!
Apply directly to the
forehead.
Name Calling
• uses belittling words to
show negative feelings
toward something or
someone
• McDonalds vs. Burger
King
Statistics
• Use of facts that involve
numbers
• Nine out of 10 dentists
recommend Colgate!
Appeal to Authority
• Appeals to authority
cite prominent figures
to support a position,
idea, argument, or
course of action.
• Because _______ said
this it must be true.