text features notes
overlays
a method of preparing copy for a multicolor printing, in which matter for each color is prepared on a transparent sheet that is placed over a key plate, usually one to be printed in black
cross section
a section formed by a plane cutting through and object helping readers understand something by looking at it from the inside
preface
a statement in the front of the book by the book's author or editor, explaining its purpose and expressing appreciation for help received from others
map
a visual representation of an area that helps students understand where things are in the world
timelines
a visual representation of important events in the order in which they occurred that helps the readers understand the sequence of time
glossary
alphabetical list of key terms and their definitions
index
alphabetical list of topics included in the book and their corresponding page numbers; found in the very back
magnification
an enlarged representation, image, or model that helps the readers see details in something small
heading
announces the topic that will be covered, helping students identify topics throughout the book as they skim or scan
boldface type
dark letters indicating important information; reader must slow down and pay attention to these
photographs/drawings
give information in a visual way, working with the words and headings to help teach the material, and to help the reader understand exactly what something looks like
charts/tables
graphic organizers that summarize and compare information
diagrams
help the reader understand a more detailed or simplified view of information
labels
identifies pictures, diagrams, or photographs and their parts
sidebar
in informational text, boxed sections off to the side containing interesting, related information that can stand on its own
titles
show the main idea of the text and help the reader by letting them know what they are about to read
italicized type
slanted letters indicating important information; reader must slow down and pay attention to these
appendix
supplementary material at the end of a book, article, document, or other text, usually of an explanatory, statistical, or bibliographic nature.
bullets
symbols used to introduce and emphasize key points or important concepts
caption
text describing the contents of a picture, graph, or chart
pronunciation guide
using the pronunciation symbols found in a dictionary, this guide helps students say the words in the text
comparisons
visual aid that helps the reader understand the size of one object by comparing it to the size of something familiar
flow chart
visual representation of a sequence of events or actions, helping to simplify a complex process
colored print
words printed in a different color highlight new or important words
graphs
a graph that uses bars or lines to compare information
subheading
a heading given to a smaller subsection within a larger piece of writing
table of contents
a list of the parts of a book or document, placed in the front of the book, It's organized order in which the parts appear.
