Informational Text Key Terms in Writing and Text Analysis

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Controlling idea/thesis

Back

The main point or underlying direction of a piece of writing.

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Graphic feature

Back

Picture or other image within a text (e.g., diagrams, illustrations, photographs, maps, charts, graphs, timelines, tables, infographics, embedded multimedia, icons, etc.).

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Informational text

Back

A text that presents information in order to explain, clarify, and/or educate.

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Inquiry

Back

An act of searching for information or knowledge about a particular subject or topic.

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Key ideas

Back

Important ideas throughout a work that support the central message, theme, tone, etc.

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Primary sources

Back

A source from the time in which an event being studied occurred and created by someone who was present at the event.

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Secondary sources

Back

A source that is a step removed from the original accounts of an event or experience.

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Text structure

Back

The way or pattern in which an author organizes ideas within a text.

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Text feature

Back

Any characteristic of the text outside the main body of the text that helps convey meaning (e.g., titles, headings, bolded, italicized, subheadings, captions, footnotes, sidebars, hyperlinks, etc.).

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Implicit

Back

Implied though not plainly expressed; indirect.