Reading · 3 min read
Types of Informational Texts · Vocabulary and Word Relationships
Informational texts aim primarily to inform, explain, describe, or persuade rather than to tell fictional stories. Middle school students encounter them across disciplines and must learn to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate them.
| Type | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expository | Explainsconcepts processes or , , | Textbooks explanatoryessays technicalwriting scientific , , , |
| phenomena | articles | |
| Persuasive | Convincesreaderstoacceptaviewpointor | Editorials argumentativeessays advertisements political , , , |
| takeaction | speeches | |
| Descriptive | Createsadetailedpicturethroughsensory | Travelwriting biographicalsketches scientificdescriptions , , |
| languageandprecisedetails | ||
| Procedural | Gives step-by-step instructions for | Recipes manuals how-to articles , , |
| completingatask |
Text Structures
Informational texts use organizational structures that readers can recognize through signal words. Identifying the structure aids comprehension and analysis.
| Structure | WhatItDoes | SignalWords |
|---|---|---|
| Chronological | Arrangesinformationintimesequence;used | first then next finally specificdatesortimes , , , , |
| inhistoricalaccountsandprocess | ||
| descriptions | ||
| Causeandeffect | Explainsrelationshipsbetweeneventsand | because therefore consequently asaresult dueto , , , , |
| theirconsequences;commoninscientific | ||
| explanations | ||
| Compareandcontrast | Examinessimilaritiesanddifferencesbetween | similarly likewise however incontrast ontheother , , , , |
| subjects | hand while , | |
| Problemandsolution | Presentsadifficultyandproposesremedies; | problem solution issue resolved addressed , , , , |
| usedinpolicyproposalsandpersuasivetexts | ||
| Description | Givesdetailedinformationorganizedby | forexample suchas including characterizedby , , , |
| aspectsorcharacteristics;usedin | ||
| encyclopediaentries |
Text Features
Text features help readers navigate informational texts and understand them.
| Feature | HowItSupportstheReader |
|---|---|
| Headingsandsubheadings | Organizecontent signaltopicchanges andletreaderspreviewandlocateinformation , , |
| Tables | Presentinformationinrowsandcolumnsforcomparisonandreference;readersmustunderstand |
| labels categories andrelationshipsbetweendatapoints , , | |
| Chartsandgraphs | Visualizedata:bargraphscomparequantities linegraphsshowchangeovertime andpiecharts , , |
| showpartsofawhole;readtitles labels scales andlegends , , , | |
| Diagrams | Illustratestructures processes orrelationships;labeleddiagramsidentifypartsandflowchartsshow , , |
| sequentialprocesses | |
| Maps | Politicalmapsshowboundaries physicalmapsshowterrain andthematicmapsshowspecificdata , , |
| distributions;readthescale legend andorientation , , | |
| Photographs illustrations , , | Providevisualinformation;captionsexplainimagesandconnectthemtothetext |
| captions | |
| Boldanditalictype | Emphasizeimportanttermsandconcepts |
| Glossaryandindex | Aglossarydefinesspecializedvocabulary;anindexhelpsreaderslocatespecifictopics |
Analyzing Informational Texts
Analysis requires identifying central ideas, supporting details, and rhetorical strategies. Central ideas are the main points a text conveys; they may be stated explicitly or implied through accumulated details, and accurate summaries focus on them. Supporting details provide evidence, examples, and explanations. Relevant details connect directly to main points, irrelevant details distract, and evaluating a text means judging whether the evidence is strong and sufficient.
The reason for writing: to inform,
The author's attitudes, assumptions,
An unfair or unbalanced presentation
persuade, entertain, or explain.
and viewpoints, which influence how
favoring one viewpoint, shown through
Purpose shapes content selection,
information is presented and which
selective evidence, loaded language, or
organization, and language choices.
details are emphasized.
omission. Ask what perspectives or evidence the author leaves out.
Context Clues
Context clues help readers determine the meanings of unfamiliar words from the surrounding text.
| Clue | SignalWords | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | is means refersto is , , , | “Photosynthesis theprocessbywhichplantsconvertsunlighttoenergy occurs , , |
| Synonym Antonym | definedas or alsoknownas like , , but however unlike in , , , contrast | inleaves” . 1 “Themagnanimous orgenerous donorfundedtheentireproject” , , . “Unlikehergregarioussister Mariawasshyandreserved” , . |
Typesofcontextclues(Continued)
| Clue | SignalWords | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Example | suchas forexample , , | “Legumessuchasbeans peas andlentilsprovideprotein” , , . |
| including like , | ||
| Inference | Nosignalword;combine | “Thepatient'sprognosiswasexcellent Thedoctorexpectedafullrecoverywithin . |
| informationfrom | weeks” . | |
| surroundingsentences |
Word Parts
Roots carry a word's core meaning. Latin roots appear frequently in academic vocabulary, and Greek roots often appear in scientific and technical terms. Prefixes attach to the beginning of a word and modify its meaning. Suffixes attach to the end and often change the part of speech.
Commonroots
| Root | Meaning | Prefi x | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dict | say | un-, dis- | not;opposite | |
| scrib/script | write | re- | again | |
| port | carry | pre- | before | |
| aud | hear | mis- | wrong | |
| vis/vid | see | anti - | against | |
| ject | throw | sub - / super- | under/above | |
| duct | lead | inter- | between | |
| spec | look | trans- | across |
| PartofSpeechFormed | Suffi xes |
|---|---|
| Noun | -tion -ness -ment -er , , , |
| Adjective | -ful -less -able -ous , , , |
| Verb | -ize -ify -en , , |
| Adverb | -ly |
Word Relationships
| Relationship | Defi nition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Synonyms | Similarmeanings;perfectsynonymsarerare and , | happy joyful content elated(differinintensity) , , , |
| nearsynonymsdifferinconnotation register or , , | ||
| precision | ||
| Gradableantonyms | Oppositesattheextremesofaspectrum | hot/cold |
| Complementary | Oppositeswithnomiddleground | alive/dead |
| antonyms | ||
| Homonyms | Samespellingandpronunciation different , | bank(financialinstitution)/bank(riveredge) |
| meanings | ||
| Homophones | Samepronunciation differentspellingandmeaning , | their/there/they're |
| Homographs | Samespelling differentpronunciationandmeaning , | lead(metal)/lead(guide) |
Figurative Language and Word Choice
Authors select words deliberately for precision, tone, and effect. Word choice shapes how readers perceive subjects and respond emotionally, so analyzing it means asking why the author chose a specific word over the alternatives.
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