Informational Texts Book Elements

Headings and Subheadings These guide the reader to specific sections of the text. Headings
give the main idea of a section, and subheadings break down more
detailed parts of the information.

Table of Contents Found at the beginning of a book, the table of contents shows the
organization of topics and page numbers, helping students locate
specific information quickly.

Index The index is found at the end of a book and lists topics in
alphabetical order with page numbers, allowing students to find
specific terms or concepts in the text.

Glossary The glossary defines important terms used in the text and is usually
located at the back of the book. It helps students understand the
vocabulary they encounter in the text.

Captions Captions are brief descriptions or explanations placed under or next

to images, charts, or graphs, helping students understand how
visuals relate to the text.

Bold or Italicized Text Bold or italicized words highlight important terms, concepts, or
phrases that students should pay attention to. These often indicate
key vocabulary.

Diagrams and Labels Diagrams are illustrations that show how something works or is put
together. They often have labels to identify different parts of the
object or process.

harts, Graphs, and Tables These visual tools present information in an organized way. Students
need to understand how to read and interpret charts, graphs, and
tables to gather data from the text.

Maps Maps provide geographic information and often include keys or

legends to explain symbols, helping students visualize locations and
data from the text.

Sidebars and Fact Boxes Sidebars and fact boxes contain additional, related information that
isn’t part of the main text but provides extra details or interesting
facts.

Bulleted or Numbered Lists These are used to present information in an organized, easy-to-read
format, helping students break down complex ideas or processes.

Photographs and Illustrations These images support the text by providing a visual representation
of the information being discussed.

Footnotes and Endnotes Footnotes appear at the bottom of a page, and endnotes appear at
the end of a section or book. They provide extra information or
references that might not fit in the main text.
Here are the key informational text features that students in Ohio typically need to know:

1.:

●​

2. Table of Contents:

●​ Found at the beginning of a book, the table of contents shows the organization of
topics and page numbers, helping students locate specific information quickly.

3. Index:

●​ The index is found at the end of a book and lists topics in alphabetical order with page
numbers, allowing students to find specific terms or concepts in the text.

4. Glossary:

●​ The glossary defines important terms used in the text and is usually located at the back
of the book. It helps students understand the vocabulary they encounter in the text.

5. Captions:

●​ Captions are brief descriptions or explanations placed under or next to images, charts,
or graphs, helping students understand how visuals relate to the text.

6. Bold or Italicized Text:

●​ Bold or italicized words highlight important terms, concepts, or phrases that students
should pay attention to. These often indicate key vocabulary.

7. Diagrams and Labels:

●​ Diagrams are illustrations that show how something works or is put together. They often
have labels to identify different parts of the object or process.

8. Charts, Graphs, and Tables:

●​ These visual tools present information in an organized way. Students need to

understand how to read and interpret charts, graphs, and tables to gather data from
the text.

9. Maps:
 ●​ Maps provide geographic information and often include keys or legends to explain
symbols, helping students visualize locations and data from the text.

10. Sidebars and Fact Boxes:

●​ Sidebars and fact boxes contain additional, related information that isn’t part of the
main text but provides extra details or interesting facts.

11. Bulleted or Numbered Lists:

●​ These are used to present information in an organized, easy-to-read format, helping

students break down complex ideas or processes.

12. Photographs and Illustrations:

●​ These images support the text by providing a visual representation of the information
being discussed.

13. Footnotes and Endnotes:

●​ Footnotes appear at the bottom of a page, and endnotes appear at the end of a section
or book. They provide extra information or references that might not fit in the main text.

Understanding these text features helps students become more proficient at navigating and
comprehending informational texts, which is a key focus in Ohio’s 5th grade English Language
Arts standards.