Study guide: Read Features and Write Useful Information
Apply choose a feature for a task, distinguish text organization, use a definition sentence, choose a procedure opening using supplied texts and original responses.
Ideas to explain in your own words
- Diagram labels identify parts, glossaries define selected terms, indexes locate topics by page and headings show section topics. Use the feature’s specific job.
- Writers can organize information by time, similarities and differences, a problem with a response, or details about one subject. Signal words offer clues, not proof on their own.
- A definition can name the larger group a thing belongs to and what makes it distinctive. Examples help illustrate, but one example is not the whole definition.
- A useful how-to text places prerequisite actions before actions that depend on them. You need the paper before folding or drawing, but the supplied directions control the task.
Useful vocabulary
- Choose a feature for a task
- Diagram labels identify parts, glossaries define selected terms, indexes locate topics by page and headings show section topics. Use the feature’s specific job.
- Distinguish text organization
- Writers can organize information by time, similarities and differences, a problem with a response, or details about one subject. Signal words offer clues, not proof on their own.
- Use a definition sentence
- A definition can name the larger group a thing belongs to and what makes it distinctive. Examples help illustrate, but one example is not the whole definition.
- Choose a procedure opening
- A useful how-to text places prerequisite actions before actions that depend on them. You need the paper before folding or drawing, but the supplied directions control the task.
Watch your reasoning
- A heading names a section; it does not necessarily define a term.
- A list of colors is description, not a time sequence.
- A place does not replace the meaning of a word.
- Do not assume every procedure uses the same order.
A worked review example
Need: names of plant parts. Signals: first, next, finally. Definition phrase: a type of tool. Procedure begins: gather the paper. Choose a feature for a task: The relevant input states: Need: names of plant parts. This fits diagram labels. Diagram labels identify parts, glossaries define selected terms, indexes locate topics by page and headings show section topics. Use the feature’s specific job. A heading names a section; it does not necessarily define a term. Distinguish text organization: The relevant input states: Signals: first, next, finally. This fits time order. Writers can organize information by time, similarities and differences, a problem with a response, or details about one subject. Signal words offer clues, not proof on their own. A list of colors is description, not a time sequence. Use a definition sentence: The relevant input states: Definition phrase: a type of tool. This fits gives a category. A definition can name the larger group a thing belongs to and what makes it distinctive. Examples help illustrate, but one example is not the whole definition. A place does not replace the meaning of a word. Choose a procedure opening: The relevant input states: Procedure begins: gather the paper. This fits gather the paper. A useful how-to text places prerequisite actions before actions that depend on them. You need the paper before folding or drawing, but the supplied directions control the task. Do not assume every procedure uses the same order.
Make a practice plan
- Practice choose a feature for a task: State the reading need and match it to a feature before inventing an answer.
- Practice distinguish text organization: Read the actual relationship among sentences and use the supplied signals to confirm the structure.
- Practice use a definition sentence: Read what the final phrase adds to the term. Decide whether it classifies, illustrates, contrasts or locates.
- Practice choose a procedure opening: Trace the stated order and find its first action. Check that later actions do not need missing materials.
- Try the new review before opening its answer. Return to the related lesson if you want more help.