Informational Text

​Informational texts are written to provide facts about a subject or topic. Unlike fiction, their main purpose is to teach us something.

Parts of Informational Text

• Topic

• Main Idea

• Title

• Informational Text

• Supporting Details

The title is the name of a text. It gives you a clue about what you are going to read. A good title tells the reader the topic and sometimes hints at the main idea. For example, if the title is The Life of Bees, you can guess the text will be about how bees live and what they do.

​The subject, or who or what a text is mostly about. The topic is what the text is mostly about in one or two words. It’s the big subject, like “volcanoes,” “friendship,” or “basketball.” If you had to say the whole text in just one word or short phrase, that’s the topic.

The subject and what the text says about the subject. The main idea tells what the author wants you to know about the topic. It’s usually a full sentence. For example, if the topic is “volcanoes,” the main idea might be “Volcanoes can be dangerous, but they also help create new land.”

​Writing that gives facts about a subject or topic. An informational text gives you facts and details about the real world. It teaches you something new. Textbooks, news articles, and science books are examples of informational texts. They are written to inform, not to entertain.

Facts, reasons, and other details that explain a main idea. Supporting details are the small pieces of information that explain or prove the main idea. They can be facts, examples, or reasons. If the main idea is “Exercise keeps you healthy,” then a supporting detail could be “Exercise strengthens your heart.”

​Good readers don't just read the words in a text; they interact with them. One way good readers interact with the text is by annotating, which means adding little marks or notes while you read to stay focused and remember what’s important.

⭐ Star: Use a star to mark an important fact or a big idea. This is for the “main stuff” you want to hold onto—like the main character’s problem or a key detail in science.

✅ Check Mark: A check mark shows that you understand something. It’s like saying, “Got it!” to yourself. Place it next to a point you’ve fully understood.

Underline: When you see a word or phrase that’s new or confusing, underline it. This is your reminder to look it up later or ask about it.

❓ Question Mark: Put a question mark by something that makes you curious or that you don’t fully understand. It’s a signal to yourself to come back and think more about it.

Lets Annotate​

Star (⭐): Use a star to mark an important fact or a key idea. This is for the "big stuff" you need to remember.

Check Mark (✅): Use a check mark to show that you've understood a specific point. This is like giving yourself a mental "check."

Underline: You can underline words or phrases that are new or confusing. This reminds you to look them up later.

Question Mark (?): Place a question mark next to something you're curious about or don't fully understand.