Analyzing Informational Chapter Notes | Language Arts for Grade 12 PDF Download

Introduction

Informational Text  Definition

• To effectively analyze an informational text, you must first know what it entails. An informational text is a nonfiction piece that, as its name implies, provides information on a specific subject. 
• For Examples include textbooks, biographies, and instruction  manuals. In fact, you’re currently reading an informational text! 

Definition: An informational text is a nonfiction piece designed to inform the reader about a particular topic.

Analyzing Informational Text Purpose

The goal of analyzing informational texts is to gain insight into why the author chose to present the information in a particular way. Authors typically aim to inform, entertain, or persuade their audience. By analyzing these texts, readers can achieve a deeper understanding of concepts and identify connections between ideas.

To evaluate an informational text, readers can consider questions such as:

• Why did the author write this text?
• What is the central idea of the text?
• How does the author utilize features like headings, images, or bolded text to emphasize key points?
• How can readers apply the information provided in the text?
• Does the author use and properly cite credible sources?

Did you Know?

The main idea in an informational text is usually straightforward to identify. Authors often present it in one of the opening paragraphs to clarify the text’s purpose for the reader. Try to spot the main idea in this article!

Deep dive

Knowing how to analyze informational texts is especially crucial for identifying trustworthy news sources. When engaging with media, such as magazine or newspaper articles, readers should observe how the author delivers information, the elements they incorporate, and how the content is organized. Clear, credible news articles indicate a reliable source, while those that appear illogical, lack credible sources, or are disorganized suggest unreliable information.
Readers should also watch for informational bias when evaluating texts. Bias occurs when an author’s claims stem from personal opinions rather than verified facts. If a writer makes unsupported or opinion-driven statements, readers should recognize this and question the text’s reliability.

Analyzing  Informational Text  Elements and Structure

Analyzing  Informational Text  Elements

• A crucial aspect of analyzing informational texts is recognizing and assessing the textual components that the author employs to convey information to the reader. 
• For example, the following list highlights common elements often found in informational texts:
  • Bolded/Italicized Text
  • Charts
  • Glossary
  • Graphics
  • Headings
  • Images
  • Index
  • Maps
  • Subheadings
  • Summaries
  • Table of Contents
  • Title
• Authors of informational texts select specific elements based on their intended purpose.

For example, a textbook chapter might include a summary at the end to help students review key information. Conversely, a magazine article typically omits a summary, as it does not present content meant for study or memorization.
When evaluating informational texts, readers should identify the elements the author uses and consider why those choices were made to support the author’s point. This process helps break down the text to understand its functionality. By gaining a deeper insight into an informational text, readers can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the content.

Did you know?

Highlight or underline key elements in any informational text you encounter. Taking such notes will simplify the process of revisiting and analyzing how the text is structured.

Analyzing  Informational Text  Structures

Cause and Effect Structure

• In a cause and effect informational text, the author illustrates the causal connection between two ideas. 
• For example, a writer might create a cause-and-effect text to explain how smoking leads to lung cancer.
• To evaluate a cause-and-effect informational text, readers can ask questions such as:
  • What cause or causes does the author address, and what are their effects?
  • How does the text’s structure aid readers in understanding the causal relationship between concepts?

Did you know?

To recognize a cause and effect informational text, readers should watch for keywords such as “because of,” “therefore,” and “as a result.”

Chronological Order

• Chronological informational texts describe a series of events or steps in the sequence they occurred.
• For example, a history textbook chapter detailing the events of the American Revolution in their order of occurrence is a chronological informational text.
• When evaluating a chronological informational text, readers can consider questions such as:
  • In what sequence did the events take place?
  • How does the author organize the information to clarify the order of events?

Did you know?

To identify a chronological text, readers should look for phrases like “after that happened…” or “following that…”

Comparison and Contrast

• In a comparison and contrast informational text, the author highlights the similarities and differences between various subjects.
• For example, a writer might compare and contrast what it’s like to live in two different cities.
• To analyze a comparison and contrast informational text, readers can ask questions such as:
  • In what ways are these subjects similar? How do they differ?
  • How does the structure of the text help readers grasp the similarities and differences between the subjects?

Did you know ?​

To recognize a comparison and contrast informational text, readers should watch for keywords such as “similarly” and “in contrast…”

Description

• In a description informational text, the author explains a concept to the reader. 
• For example, a textbook chapter discussing the Harlem Renaissance would be considered a description informational text.
• When analyzing description informational texts, readers can ask questions such as:
  • What is the primary focus of the text?
  • How does the author’s description of the subject help the reader understand it in an unbiased way?

Did you know?

Key phrases that signal a description informational text include “for example” and “in fact.”

How-To

• A how-to informational text, also referred to as a process or sequence text, provides step-by-step instructions on how to perform a task. The author typically organizes the information in a sequential order. 
• For example, an article explaining how to bake brownies would be a how-to text.
• When analyzing a how-to informational text, readers can ask questions like:
  • How does the author present the information to facilitate the reader’s learning?

Did you know?

To identify a how-to text, look for sequential words such as “first” or “next.”

Deep dive

How-to informational texts differ from chronological order texts because they explicitly provide instructions for completing a specific task, whereas chronological texts describe a sequence of events. 
For example, a chronological informational text might detail the sequence of events in the French Revolution, while a how-to informational text on the same topic might guide readers on how to reenact notable events from that period.

Problem and Solution

• In a problem and solution informational text, the author outlines a specific issue and then suggests one or more solutions to address it.
• For example, a writer might discuss the challenge of climate change and offer a solution. 
• To evaluate such a text, readers can ask questions like:
  • How does the text’s structure enhance the reader’s comprehension of the issue and its possible solutions?

Did you know?

To identify a problem and solution text, watch for phrases such as “the problem is” or “to solve this…”

Key Takeaways for Analyzing Informational Texts

• An informational text is a nonfiction work designed to inform the reader about a specific subject.
• The goal of analyzing informational texts is to comprehend how the author conveys their message.
• Readers should pay attention to elements like headings and visuals when evaluating informational texts.
• Readers should consider how the text’s structure influences the presentation of the information.
• Informational texts typically follow one of these structures: comparison and contrast, cause and effect, description, how-to, or problem and solution.