Unit 2: Reading Informational Text READING PASSAGES: INFORMATIONAL TEXT CONTENT DESCRIPTION The informational and explanatory passages in the English Language Arts test can be used to determine central ideas, write an objective summary, analyze ideas, and provide supporting text evidence . Key Ideas and Details Read closely to know exactly what the text says . Look for details that tell what the text is about . Use those details when writing or speaking about the text . Look for the central in the text . Summarize the important details and ideas in the text . Think about how ideas develop and work together in the text . Structure Make sure you understand the words in the text . Use a dictionary, thesaurus, or glossary to help you with words that are new . Look at how the parts of the text work with each other . Think about the author’s point of view or purpose in the text . Understanding the Text about the story and visualize, or make a mental picture, as you read . Think about the text and its message . Look for details or evidence in the text . KEY TERMS Informational texts: Passages that explain or inform . (RI) Controlling ideas: What the text is mainly about . These are also called the central or main ideas . (RI2) Details: The and ideas that support the central idea . (RI2) Evidence: Something that proves or demonstrates the of something else . Informational texts may contain facts and reasons to help prove a point . (RI8) Structure: The way a text is organized—how information and ideas are built upon each other . (RI5) Relationships: Ways in which two or more things or people are connected . When reading for information, it is important to examine the way individuals, events, ideas, and concepts interact . (RI3) Summary: A summary is an overview of a text that captures the main points but does not give all of the details . (RI2) Author’s purpose: The author has a specific reason or purpose for writing the text . Often the author’s purpose is not directly stated in the text, and readers have to figure out the reason for the text . (RI3)
Unit 2: Reading Informational Text READING PASSAGES: INFORMATIONAL TEXT CONTENT DESCRIPTION The informational and explanatory passages in the English Language Arts test can be used to determine central ideas, write an objective summary, analyze ideas, and provide supporting text evidence . Key Ideas and Details Read closely to know exactly what the text says . Look for details that tell what the text is about . Use those details when writing or speaking about the text . Look for the central in the text . Summarize the important details and ideas in the text . Think about how ideas develop and work together in the text . Structure Make sure you understand the words in the text . Use a dictionary, thesaurus, or glossary to help you with words that are new . Look at how the parts of the text work with each other . Think about the author’s point of view or purpose in the text . Understanding the Text about the story and visualize, or make a mental picture, as you read . Think about the text and its message . Look for details or evidence in the text . KEY TERMS Informational texts: Passages that explain or inform . (RI) Controlling ideas: What the text is mainly about . These are also called the central or main ideas . (RI2) Details: The and ideas that support the central idea . (RI2) Evidence: Something that proves or demonstrates the of something else . Informational texts may contain facts and reasons to help prove a point . (RI8) Structure: The way a text is organized—how information and ideas are built upon each other . (RI5) Relationships: Ways in which two or more things or people are connected . When reading for information, it is important to examine the way individuals, events, ideas, and concepts interact . (RI3) Summary: A summary is an overview of a text that captures the main points but does not give all of the details . (RI2) Author’s purpose: The author has a specific reason or purpose for writing the text . Often the author’s purpose is not directly stated in the text, and readers have to figure out the reason for the text . (RI3)