Text Features
Index
Pages at the back of the book that tell where to find important topics in the book. It lists the page number the term is found on. An index helps provide organization.
ORGANIZATIONAL Text Features
Table of Contents, Glossary, and Index
Italics
a special type of formatting when words are slanted to the right. Italics is often used in picture captions. Italics also often indicates book titles.
Table/chart
a visual representation of data, a visual depiction of information that is quick and easy to read
Graphs
a visual representation showing how 2 or more sets are related to each other
Bold text
another type of special formatting. Text that is heavier and darker than the rest of the text. It can be used to show emphasis, show words that can be found in the glossary, identify a subheading, or a variety of purposes.
Subheadings
divides parts of a text into sections. This text feature tells the topic of that section. Often indicated by the use of bold, color, or larger print. Within an article it breaks up the text into smaller chunks.
Glossary
organizes all the terms, which are newly introduced within the book. An alphabetical list of terms with the definitions for those terms. It usually appears at the end of a book.
Captions
words underneath/ beside photographs, illustrations or charts explaining what it is or what it is about
Label
words to tell the names of items in the diagram or map
Diagram
a drawing intended to explain how something works; uses labels to depict each part of an object
Timelines
Another type of graphic that is a visual representation of events in history displayed in chronological order.
Table of Contents
A list that shows the major chapters and parts of the book as well as the page numbers. This text feature provides organization.
Photographs/Illustrations
A picture is a graphic that emphasizes key points and adds interest.
Text Features that are a type of SPECIAL FORMATTING
Bold, italics, bullets, and different typeface (font)
Textbox /Sidebar
Boxes of information to the side of the main text/column(s). A textbox can provide additional information related to the topic that is not within the reading. Often interesting facts or other important information the author wants the reader to know is located in a textbox or sidebar.
Bullets
Bullets are a way to format informational texts. Bullets are a special format. This format is often used to list key points or concepts.
Map
Information presented in visual form to tell you where something is or where it happened. It helps to understand where places are located
Types of Text Features that are GRAPHIC
Maps, photographs with captions, diagrams, charts, textboxes, tables, and timelines.
Title
Name of a literary work. It gives the reader an idea about what will be read.
Text Features that provide TEXT DIVISION
Title, Subheading, Footnotes/Endnotes
Text Features
Tools that help readers preview and understand nonfiction text.
