Study guide: Text Features, Instructions and Friendly Messages
Apply use a text feature, read a procedure verb, choose an opinion reason, recognize friendly letter parts using supplied texts and original responses.
Ideas to explain in your own words
- A heading names a section, a caption explains a picture, a contents page locates sections and a glossary explains special words. Their jobs differ.
- A procedure uses action verbs to tell how to do something. A reader must do the action specified, rather than replace it with a related action.
- An opinion says what someone prefers; a useful reason explains why that choice suits a purpose. The reason must fit the item, rather than simply say it is best.
- A short friendly letter has a greeting, a message, a closing and a writer’s name. These parts help a reader know whom the letter addresses and who sent it.
Useful vocabulary
- Use a text feature
- A heading names a section, a caption explains a picture, a contents page locates sections and a glossary explains special words. Their jobs differ.
- Read a procedure verb
- A procedure uses action verbs to tell how to do something. A reader must do the action specified, rather than replace it with a related action.
- Choose an opinion reason
- An opinion says what someone prefers; a useful reason explains why that choice suits a purpose. The reason must fit the item, rather than simply say it is best.
- Recognize friendly letter parts
- A short friendly letter has a greeting, a message, a closing and a writer’s name. These parts help a reader know whom the letter addresses and who sent it.
Watch your reasoning
- A contents page locates; it does not define every word.
- Materials alone are not instructions.
- A reason for another object does not support this choice.
- The name after a closing is usually the writer.
A worked review example
Job: name a section about birds. Instruction: Fold the paper. Preference: umbrella for a rainy walk. Letter highlight: Dear Lee, Use a text feature: The relevant input states: Job: name a section about birds. This fits heading. A heading names a section, a caption explains a picture, a contents page locates sections and a glossary explains special words. Their jobs differ. A contents page locates; it does not define every word. Read a procedure verb: The relevant input states: Instruction: Fold the paper. This fits fold. A procedure uses action verbs to tell how to do something. A reader must do the action specified, rather than replace it with a related action. Materials alone are not instructions. Choose an opinion reason: The relevant input states: Preference: umbrella for a rainy walk. This fits it keeps rain off. An opinion says what someone prefers; a useful reason explains why that choice suits a purpose. The reason must fit the item, rather than simply say it is best. A reason for another object does not support this choice. Recognize friendly letter parts: The relevant input states: Letter highlight: Dear Lee,. This fits greet the reader. A short friendly letter has a greeting, a message, a closing and a writer’s name. These parts help a reader know whom the letter addresses and who sent it. The name after a closing is usually the writer.
Make a practice plan
- Practice use a text feature: Identify the reader’s question, then choose the feature that directly supplies that kind of information.
- Practice read a procedure verb: Circle the instruction’s action word. Explain or safely mime it with paper and imaginary materials.
- Practice choose an opinion reason: Name the preferred item and its stated job. Choose the reason that connects the item to that job.
- Practice recognize friendly letter parts: Read the highlighted part and identify its function. Write the other parts around it to make a small complete letter.
- Try the new review before opening its answer. Return to the related lesson if you want more help.