Visualizing Visualizing is making pictures in your mind. Look at a picture. Ask questions. What? How many? What size? There is one huge truck. Close your eyes and make a picture in your mind. There s a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. This means that one picture can help you remember something that is so complicated it would take a thousand words to describe it. However, there aren t enough words in the world to describe how funny it was when my 6-year-old cousin fell asleep facedown in her big birthday cake while the dog opened all her presents and the water pipes burst overhead. But I have a picture of that night in my mind, and it will keep me laughing forever. If you make pictures in your mind when you read, you ll understand and remember what you ve read much better.
Reading An Unfamiliar Word Not an unfamiliar word! Noooooo! Name the letters. Say the vowel sound. grasp grasp g - r - a - s - p /ă/ Sound out the word. Read it quickly. Does the word make sense based on the text? grasp She can grasp the basketball /g/ /r/ /ă/ /s/ /p/ grasp grasp Yep! That works! If you guess or skip words you don t recognize when you read, it can really mess up your comprehension. For example, you re reading the sentence: The dog is a mutt. If you guess that the last word is mitt, then you might think that the dog plays baseball- which is way off! If you totally skip the last word, then you ll wonder, What is the dog? So, don t guess or skip words you don t recognize. Think about this strategy. You ll see that The dog is a mutt. Now, that makes sense!
Multiple Meaning Words Words with More Than One Meaning Words can have the same spelling and the same pronunciation. The bat lives in a cave. The player swings the bat. But they have different meanings. Think about which meaning fits the meaning of the sentence. The bat flies at night. X So, what s in it for me? Knowing that words can have multiple meanings helps your comprehension. If you figure out that a bat that flies at night is the animal and not a piece of sports equipment, you won t be confused as you read your science homework. Knowing about multiple meanings of words also helps you avoid embarrassing moments. For example, when your science teacher talks about a test being sensitive, she doesn t mean that the test has feelings that are easily hurt. Your teacher is using the word sensitive to show how accurate the test results are. So, don t worry about hurting the test s feelings!
Learning the Meanings of New Words 1 Say the word. Make a picture in your mind. timber /tim/ /ber/ 2 Think of words that mean the same or almost the same. timber = logs, wood, trunks 3 Think of other words that go with the word. timber + forest, trees, saws, building, fuel 4 Use the word in a sentence that makes sense to you. the trees were cut down to make timber to build houses. So, what in it for me? In school, you read to learn new things, lots of new things. You ll better understand what you re reading if you know what most of the words mean. You don t have to know every word in a dictionary. Just be a logophile. That s a person who loves to learn new words. Connect new words to words you already know, and pretty soon you ll start sounding like a dictionary when you talk. Okay, okay... maybe you don t care about sounding like a dictionary but... knowing oodles and oodles of words will definitely help you the next time you need to talk your parents into buying you a new pair of sneakers or the latest cell phone!
Elements of a Narrative Text 1 The characters are who a story is about. 2 The setting is when and where the story takes places. = Who? = characters = When? Where? = setting 3 The plot tells what happens. There s a problem or goal. 4 The ending tells how the story ends and why it ends the way it does. = What? = plot = How? Why? = ending So, what s in it for me? Have you ever finished reading a story and said, I didn t get it? Well, knowing the elements of narrative text will help you get it not just one story but every story you read. You see, authors use the elements to write stories. And you can use these elements to understand them!
The Structure of Informational Text Informational text informs. subject The subject is what a text is mostly about. main idea The main idea is the point the author is making about the subject. supporting idea supporting idea supporting idea The supporting ideas explain the main idea. details details details The details describe the supporting ideas. So, what s in it for me? If you begin reading an informational text by saying ugh! and finish reading it by saying huh?, knowing the structure of informational text will help. If you know the structure, you can organize information in your head as you read. When you re finished, you can summarize the information you ve learned. This will take the huh? out of reading informational text. As to the ugh! before you read, yeah, I get that. But just remember, the more you know, the easier it is to understand informational text. What s the best way to learn more? You guessed it - read more informational texts!
Argument Argumentative text is writing that supports a claim with reasons and evidence. ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT INCLUDES a claim (the main point of an author s argument) reasons (why the author makes the claim) evidence (examples, facts, and expert quotes that support the reasons) a counterclaim (a point that disagrees with the author s main point) If your idea of an argument involves angry insults, imagine this instead: a calm, logical, well-informed talk about what you think. Imagine asking your teacher for more time to finish a project. Sure, you could always break down and cry and hope your teacher takes pity on you. But most teachers won t buy that act and it s humiliating. A well-constructed argument is a much better game plan. First, state your position. Next, back it up with reasons and evidence. (Do NOT get emotional!) Then, try to predict what someone who disagrees with you might say, and explain why they re wrong. Finally, restate your point of view. Now, that s a solid argument.
Biography & Autobiography A biography is a true story of a person s life written by another person. An autobiography is a true story that a person writes about his or her own life. A timeline is a list of events along a line that shows when the events happen. A legacy is the lasting impact that a person has made on others. So, let's say you're the type of person who likes facts and information. A biography is just the book for you! Or say you're the type of person who prefers tales of action and adventure. A biography is just the book for you, too! Maybe you re the type of person who loves fame, fashion, and fortune. You guessed it, biographies are for you, too! There are just about as many different biographies as there are people in the world. Read one and find out who made a difference by being different.
Cause & Effect A cause is the reason why an event happens. An effect is the result of what happens. Ef fect Cause He fell because there was a puddle. There was a puddle. Consequently, he fell. He fell as a result of the puddle. Since there was a puddle, he fell. He fell on account of the puddle. There was a puddle. For this reason, he fell. If you ve made it this far in life, you already know all about cause and effect. Think back to when you were younger Maybe you were that kid who wondered what would happen if you put a pea up your nose: cause = pea stuck in nose; effect = pain and a visit to the doctor s office. Or, maybe you learned the hard way to check your pockets before putting your pants in the wash: cause = pack of gum in washing machine; effect = saying goodbye to your favorite outfit. Cause-effect relationships show up all the time in stories and informational texts. Stay on the lookout for causes and effects while you read maybe you won t have to learn things the hard way.
Characterization Characterization is how authors describe and develop characters. Hello! What does the author tell me directly? OUTSIDE: wears glasses INSIDE: is kind What clues does the author give me? DOES: loves animals THINKS: hopes for world peace SAYS: says Hello! to everyone If you had to describe your best friend, you d probably start with what they look like (tall, short, freckles, glasses ) and what kind of person they are (loyal, honest, funny, shy ). But if you wanted people to really understand your best friend, you d probably give examples of what they do every day, or what they think, or what they say. And that s exactly what authors do when they create a character. They usually start by telling you what a character looks like on the outside and what kind of person he or she is on the inside. Then, authors help you really get to know a character by describing what he or she does, thinks, or says.
Compare & Contrast Compare means to tell how two things are alike. Contrast means to tell how two things are different. is an animal has 4 legs and a tail eats plants slow shell reptile fast fur mammal slow shell reptile is an animal has 4 legs and a tail eats plants fast fur mammal What would you say if someone told you that there is an amazing way to boost your grade? Wait, what?! How? Research shows that when students find similarities and differences that s comparing and contrasting they understand more, learn more, and remember more! Comparing and contrasting helps you focus on what s important when you read remember key ideas and details after you read think about what you read in different ways discuss and write about what you have read
Conflict Conflict is a character s struggle or problem. External conflict is a character's struggle with an outside force. Internal conflict is a struggle that exists in a character s mind. person vs. society person vs. person person vs. nature person vs. self Imagine a life without conflict: no tough decisions, no disagreements, nothing to challenge you. It might sound pretty nice at first. But not being able to choose between one ice cream flavor or another and not being able to see things differently from someone else and not being able to get stronger by overcoming a challenge would make life really dull. Stories, too, need conflict or else they d be BORING. Lucky for you, no one wants to write a boring book.
Drama A drama, or play, is a story that is acted out on a stage. line: words spoken by an actor monologue: a long speech by one character in a play dialogue: a conversation between two or more characters cast: the characters in a play act: a major section in a play scene: a section of an act in a play stage directions: instructions in a play that are not spoken by characters Imagine visiting a movie set... You ve been granted VIP access to the cameras, the lighting, the set design, the costumes, the director, and the cast. Ahhhh, the actors. After a long day on set, your favorite actor asks if you would... (As if! Stop daydreaming and get back to your schoolwork.) Actually, a play or movie script is all you need for VIP access. You get a detailed description of the setting in each scene. You get stage directions that tell you exactly how an actor should move on stage. You get wellorganized and labeled sections of entertainment. What more do you want? No. You do not get an autograph.
Figurative Language Figurative language is words used creatively that don t mean what they usually mean. I m as hungry as a wolf. Let s get lunch. simile a comparison of unlike things using like or as Wow, the cafeteria is a zoo today! Ugh. It s like being trapped in a car full of circus clowns. I d skip it, but I m a bear if I don t eat. metaphor a comparison of unlike things not using like or as Have you ever been shipwrecked and found yourself surrounded by miles and miles of ocean? (Neither have I.) But, if you read about someone who was clinging to a piece of driftwood like it was the last available ticket to a sold-out concert, you might say to yourself, Ahhh, I get it now. Or, if your friend tells you that your new hat looks like a chicken in a sweater vest, you ll know it s probably not a compliment. That s the thing about figurative language. It connects speakers and listeners or writers and readers. Like a bridge. (See what I did there?)
Making Inferences Evidence is the information you are given. Background knowledge is what you already know. An inference is an educated guess based on information you are given and what you already know. evidence background knowledge When you were younger, you probably went through a Why? phase. (Put on your shoes. Why? Share your toys. Why? Don t pull the dog s tail. Why?) Eventually, you grew out of it as you learned more about the world and got better at figuring it out for yourself. Now you make inferences all the time without even realizing it. If what you see or hear doesn t make sense right away, your brain connects what s going on with what you know from experience until Oh, I get it! It's the same when you read. The only catch is that some readers forget to ask themselves Why? or What s going on? when something doesn't make sense. Don't fall into that trap! Put your inference powers to use.
Informational Text Informational text is writing that gives facts about a subject. SUBJECT (what the text is mostly about) MAIN IDEA (the subject and what the text says about the subject) SUPPORTING IDEA SUPPORTING IDEA SUPPORTING IDEA (facts, reasons, and other details that explain a main idea) (pieces of information that describe or support) Maps are useful. They can help you plan a vacation, learn your way around a new city, and even remember how to get from Point A to Point B. But what do maps have to do with reading? See that graphic organizer up there? That s a map of a chapter in your science book, a paragraph in tonight s history homework, or a book on wilderness survival. Knowing that what you read has a predictable structure (a map!) can help you plan your science project, learn how World War II started, or remember how to survive alone in the woods with nothing but a fork.
Irony Irony is something that is the opposite of what is expected. If the world always worked the way it was supposed to, life would be pretty boring. You d expect an obedience school diploma to belong to a well-trained dog. You d expect a No birds allowed sign to result in a bird-free area. And you d expect a fire hydrant to wait, what?! A fire? Yep, just when you least expect it, IRONY! (That s what irony is, the opposite of what you expect.) There are lots of examples of irony in real life. There are even more examples in stories, plays, and poems. Authors know that nothing gets a reader s attention like the unexpected. Irony can be used to add humor, create suspense, or make a point about life. So, now you know to expect the unexpected!
Narrative Text Narrative text is writing that tells a story. A character is a person, animal, or other being in a story. The setting is the time and place of events in a story. Conflict is a character s struggle or problem. A plot is the events in a story. You ve been listening to them forever. You probably even have a few of them memorized. Maybe you ve even written some of your own. What are they? Stories, of course. (Some people call them narratives.) As different as each story might be, they all have a few things in common: characters, a setting, a conflict, and a plot. If you can recognize those four parts of the next story you read, you can t go wrong.
Persuasive Techniques Persuasive techniques are methods used to get people to think or act in a certain way. Inclusive language is words that make an audience feel involved and included. GET OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY DISCOUNT! Repetition is repeated use of words or ideas to make a point. A rhetorical question is a question asked that does not need to be answered. the BEST style the BEST price the BEST fit A call to action is an instruction given to the audience to do something. Don t you deserve the best? BUY NOW! On television and on the side of a bus. In the mall and in the newspaper. At school and at home. You can run, but you can t hide. Persuasive techniques are everywhere. You may know right away if someone is trying to convince you to think or act a certain way. Like when you re watching a commercial on TV or listening to a campaign speech. But sometimes, it s harder to tell. Like when that magazine article you re reading turns out to be an ad that just looks like an article. Knowing the techniques that an author or a speaker (or an advertiser!) might use to persuade you makes you a more savvy reader, listener, and consumer. After all, you can t be conned if you know how to play the game.
Sensory Language Sensory language uses words that describe how things look, sound, smell, taste, or feel. Imagery is the use of words to create a picture in the reader s mind. You: Writer: You: Writer: Words, words, and more words. I m drowning in words. Why did you write all these words?! I chose those words carefully. I want you to really see, hear, smell, taste, and feel what I m describing. Ok, it worked senses activated. But now what? Think about what I m trying to tell you. It might be why my characters hate each other, or how terrifying this part of the story is, or why you need a better deodorant. Trust me, I didn t write all those words just to torture you. I have something important to say!
Theme A theme is the central message or big idea in a story or a poem. It s a life lesson! Like Always be prepared or Never give up. While you read, ask yourself... What is the conflict? Who are the characters? Why did the author choose these words? You ve probably seen them. You might even own one or two. I m talking about T-shirts with a message. Those messages? They re a lot like themes. But unlike T-shirts, writers don t just tell you the theme. They make you look for it. And here s why that s a good thing: Say someone tells you that it s important to tell the truth. You might listen. Or you might not. But what if someone tells you about a man who lied to everyone all the time and then needed help fighting off a bear but no one believed him, so he died? Well, you might actually understand and remember that message. The story makes a difference. And that, my friends, is why you will never see a T-shirt on your summer reading list.
Tone & Mood Author Tone is the author s attitude toward the subject. Mood is the reader s feelings created by the text. Reader Don t use that tone with me! (Translation: Lose the attitude. You sound disrespectful.) You probably can t tell an author to lose the attitude. But just try this trick the next time you read: Imagine an actor reading the text aloud. Does it sound excited? Disappointed? Nervous? Angry? That s the tone. I m just not in the mood. (Translation: I feel tense, fearful, or hopeless.) A book won t come right out and tell you what kind of mood it s in. Here s a tip for the next time you read: Imagine the kind of music that would accompany the text if it were a scene in a movie. Is it upbeat? Suspenseful? Gloomy? That s the mood.