Text AnalysisText Analysis - - Author’s Purpose Author’s Purpose and Main Ideaand Main Idea

Louisburg, December 5, 2007 -Louisburg, December 5, 2007 -Group BGroup B

Kristi Orcutt, Literacy SpecialistKristi Orcutt, Literacy Specialist

Defining Good ReadersDefining Good Readers

““The ability to The ability to analyze analyze the author’s purposethe author’s purpose and perspective is just and perspective is just as essential as literal as essential as literal and inferential and inferential comprehension.”comprehension.”

-Gwynne Ellen Ash-Gwynne Ellen Ash

Text Text TYPETYPE = Author’s = Author’s PurposePurpose

TT-T-Technicalechnical (to inform, instruct, tell (to inform, instruct, tell how)how)

YY-Y-Your Storyour Story -Narrative-Narrative (to (to entertain)entertain)

PP-Persuasive-Persuasive (to persuade, convince)(to persuade, convince)

EE-Expository-Expository (to inform, tell about, (to inform, tell about, explain)explain)

Question Stems - Author’s Question Stems - Author’s PurposePurpose

The main purpose of this passage is to- (explain, persuade, entertain, describe…)

What is the author’s main purpose for writing this passage?

What is the author of this passage trying to persuade you to do/believe?

With which statement would the author most likely agree?

The web site was created mainly to-

Why might this be confusing for students?

Expository Text Expository Text

“ “Informational text is the most Informational text is the most complicated type of nonfiction complicated type of nonfiction because the purposes are so because the purposes are so varied. The purpose of varied. The purpose of informational text dictates the informational text dictates the structure. Not all structure. Not all informational texts have the informational texts have the same structure.”same structure.”

- Buss & Karnowski, - Buss & Karnowski, Reading & Writing Nonfiction Reading & Writing Nonfiction GenresGenres

Identify Author’s Purpose/ Text Identify Author’s Purpose/ Text TypeType

Skim the sample passagesSkim the sample passages Mark places you think might Mark places you think might

cause confusioncause confusion Identify the Identify the mainmain text type of text type of

each passageeach passage– NarrativeNarrative– ExpositoryExpository– TechnicalTechnical– PersuasivePersuasive

Possible ConfusionsPossible Confusions

Two major text types - fiction and nonfiction Two major text types - fiction and nonfiction - have been re-categorized as four- have been re-categorized as four

Author’s may have had more than one Author’s may have had more than one purpose in mindpurpose in mind

Engaging text often contains multiple typesEngaging text often contains multiple types Students are not generally asked to Students are not generally asked to

compare text typescompare text types Students are not generally asked to identify Students are not generally asked to identify

and analyze the author’s purpose - only and analyze the author’s purpose - only read to gain content knowledgeread to gain content knowledge

Possible ConfusionsPossible Confusions

Both Both Narrative and ExpositoryNarrative and Expository elements in one passageelements in one passage– Use a Use a wide angle lenswide angle lens

Overall, how much is narrative Overall, how much is narrative and how much is expository?and how much is expository?

Is the introduction a “hook” to Is the introduction a “hook” to engage readers?engage readers?

Example: “Raising Royal Treasure” pages 12-13

Possible ConfusionsPossible Confusions Persuasive and Technical are Persuasive and Technical are

also also alwaysalways Expository! Expository!– Use a Use a zoom angle lenszoom angle lens

Expository to explain, inform

Technical to explain, describe steps

Persuasive to persuade, convince

Identifying Identifying PersuasivePersuasive TextText

1. Are TWO sides presented?1. Are TWO sides presented?If NOT…If NOT…2. Is there another side/perspective?2. Is there another side/perspective?

– Whose story is being told?Whose story is being told?– Whose story is Whose story is NOTNOT being told? being told? – Why? Would some people disagree with the Why? Would some people disagree with the

writer’s beliefs or arguments?writer’s beliefs or arguments?

3. Do 3. Do youyou agree or disagree with the agree or disagree with the things the writer would like you to things the writer would like you to believe? Why?believe? Why?

Topic, Main Idea, Supporting Topic, Main Idea, Supporting DetailsDetails Which of the animals in this passage are considered dangerous? Which of the following materials are needed to make a sundial? What is the main idea of this passage? What is the main purpose of the information in the textbox? Which detail from the passage best supports the main idea? What information in this passage supports the idea that roller

coasters are safe? Which characteristic of sloth bears is most important for

climbing and digging? Another title for this passage might be –

Topic, Main Idea, Supporting Topic, Main Idea, Supporting DetailsDetails

Distinguish between specific and general words Distinguish between specific and general words Distinguish between specific and general Distinguish between specific and general

sentences sentences Identify the topic of a paragraph Identify the topic of a paragraph Identify the controlling thought in a paragraph Identify the controlling thought in a paragraph Identify the topic sentence in the paragraph Identify the topic sentence in the paragraph Infer the main idea when a topic sentence is Infer the main idea when a topic sentence is

absentabsent Paraphrase the main idea Paraphrase the main idea Identify supporting details in a paragraphIdentify supporting details in a paragraph Use transition words to help understand the Use transition words to help understand the

organization of the paragraphorganization of the paragraph

Topic, Main Idea, Supporting Topic, Main Idea, Supporting DetailsDetails

TOPIC:TOPIC: the subject of the whole the subject of the whole paragraphparagraph

MAIN IDEA:MAIN IDEA: the point that the the point that the whole paragraph makeswhole paragraph makes

SUPPORTING DETAILS:SUPPORTING DETAILS: the the sentences that explain the main sentences that explain the main ideaidea

Identifying Main Ideas

What is a topic?

"A topic is a word or phrase that tells what the author is writing about in a paragraph." (from Opening Doors, p.191)

"The topic of a passage is a word or phrase that labels the subject but does not reveal the specific contents of the passage." (from Bridging the Gap: College Reading, p.124

What is a stated main idea?

"A stated main idea is the sentence in a paragraph that contains both the topic and the author’s single most important point about the topic." (p.172, Opening Doors)

"The main idea of a passage is the central message that the author is trying to convey about the material." (p.122, Bridging the Gap:

College Reading)

To find the main idea of a paragraph or passage, ask

yourself:

What is the most important point the author wants me to

understand about the topic?

Where can the main idea appear?

At the beginning of the paragraph At the end of the paragraph Within the paragraph

Implied in the paragraph

At the beginning of the paragraph:

"Beginning a new job is always exciting and sometimes intimidating. There is an invigorating feeling of a fresh start and a clean slate. You face new challenges and draw on a renewed sense of energy as you approach them. But you may also feel apprehensive . . . " (p.196, Opening Doors)

At the end of the paragraph:

“. . .Most Anglo-Americans, for instance, see the extensive family obligations of Hispanics as a burdensome arrangement that inhibits individual freedom. Hispanics, in contrast, view the isolated nuclear family of Anglo-Americans as a lonely institution that cuts people off from the love and assistance of their kin. This tendency to view one's own cultural patterns as good and right and those of others as strange or even immoral is called ethnocentrism." (p.197, Opening Doors)

Within the paragraph:

" Jim always seems to score well on tests. How does he do it? Jim offers these tips for successful studying. The first step is to decide what to study. Find out what topics will be covered on the test. Next, organize your notes and other materials on these topics. Third, make study guides to use as memory aids. Your final step is to review your notes and study guides until you feel confident about taking the test." (from Becoming a Confident Reader, p.200)

"All organisms must insure that their offspring have a reasonable chance to survive and begin a new generation. Plants, however, face special challenges. Plants do not have nervous systems, and they are not able to run away from predators or pests. Because nearly all plants live in fixed positions, they must also manage to find mates without being able to move around. Therefore they have evolved strategies for dealing with these problems that are essentially passive. An important part of such strategies is a reproductive pattern enabling each individual to produce large numbers of offspring."

(Levine and Miller, Biology, 1991)

General vs. SpecificGeneral vs. Specific

The The main idea in a paragraph is a main idea in a paragraph is a general general ideaidea.. In contrast, the In contrast, the supporting information supporting information in a paragraph is made up of in a paragraph is made up of specificspecific ideas ideas and details. and details.

To improve your skill at finding main ideas, To improve your skill at finding main ideas, you need to practice distinguishing between you need to practice distinguishing between general and specific ideas.general and specific ideas.

The The general idea includes all the specific general idea includes all the specific ideasideas..

Check It Out… Check It Out…

See if you can identify See if you can identify the general word in each the general word in each group.group.

a) jealousy hatred a) jealousy hatred emotion worryemotion worry

b) spiders cockroaches b) spiders cockroaches mosquitoes insectsmosquitoes insects

c) chemistry science c) chemistry science physics biologyphysics biology

Answers and Answers and ExplanationsExplanations

a) The general idea is a) The general idea is "emotions" because it includes "emotions" because it includes all of the others as examples.all of the others as examples.

b) The general idea is b) The general idea is "insects" because it includes "insects" because it includes all of the others as examples.all of the others as examples.

c) The general idea is c) The general idea is "science" because it includes "science" because it includes all of the others as examples.all of the others as examples.

Identify main ideas:Identify main ideas:

General ideas:General ideas: broad ideas that apply broad ideas that apply to a large number of individual itemsto a large number of individual items– ClothingClothing– PiesPies

Specific ideas or terms:Specific ideas or terms: more more detailed or particular; referring to an detailed or particular; referring to an individual itemindividual item– ScarfScarf– Apple, cherry, chocolate creamApple, cherry, chocolate cream

Identifying Main Ideas

Which are general?Which are general?

Soda, coffee, Soda, coffee, beverage, winebeverage, wine

Pounds, ounces, Pounds, ounces, kilograms, kilograms, weightsweights

Soap operas, news, Soap operas, news, TV programs, sports TV programs, sports specialspecial

Sociology, social Sociology, social sciences, sciences, anthropology, anthropology, psychologypsychology

Identifying Main Ideas

The The main idea is the most main idea is the most general statementgeneral statement about the about the topic:topic:

People differ in numerous ways. People differ in numerous ways. They differ according to physical They differ according to physical characteristics, such as height, characteristics, such as height, weight, and hair color. They also weight, and hair color. They also differ in personality. Some people differ in personality. Some people are friendly and easygoing. Others are friendly and easygoing. Others are more reserved and formal.are more reserved and formal.

Which is the most general statement?

Identifying Main Ideas

What is the What is the topictopic of the of the following?following?Nutrition is the process of taking in and using Nutrition is the process of taking in and using food for growth, repair, and maintenance of the food for growth, repair, and maintenance of the body. The science of nutrition is the study of body. The science of nutrition is the study of foods and how the body uses them. Many foods and how the body uses them. Many North Americans define nutrition as eating a North Americans define nutrition as eating a healthful diet. But what is healthful? Our food healthful diet. But what is healthful? Our food choices may be influenced by fads, advertising, choices may be influenced by fads, advertising, or convenience. We may reflect on the or convenience. We may reflect on the meaning of nutrition while pushing a cart down meaning of nutrition while pushing a cart down a supermarket aisle, or while making a a supermarket aisle, or while making a selection from a restaurant menu.selection from a restaurant menu.

Finding the Main IdeaFinding the Main Idea

1.1. Locate the Topic Locate the Topic ----person, place, object, ideaperson, place, object, idea2.2. Locate the Most General SentenceLocate the Most General Sentence -- --the the

topic sentencetopic sentence Topic Sentence First (usually)Topic Sentence First (usually) Topic Sentence Last (second in frequency)Topic Sentence Last (second in frequency) Topic Sentence in the MiddleTopic Sentence in the Middle Topic Sentence First and Last (last = Topic Sentence First and Last (last =

emphasis)emphasis)

3.3. Study the DetailsStudy the Details——all the sentences in a all the sentences in a paragraph must relate/support/explain the paragraph must relate/support/explain the main idea.main idea.

Inferring Unstated Main Inferring Unstated Main IdeasIdeas

1.1. FindFind the topic. the topic.

2.2. DecideDecide what the writer what the writer wants you to know about wants you to know about the topic.the topic.

3.3. ExpressExpress this idea in your this idea in your own words.own words.

Identifying Main Ideas

Good Reading on the Web Good Reading on the Web Content Area ResourcesContent Area Resources

Supplement classroom text with PERSUASIVE text!!

Individual/Team PlanningIndividual/Team Planning

Analyze an upcoming reading assignment. Analyze an upcoming reading assignment. How will you teach:How will you teach:

• Main Ideas & Supporting DetailsMain Ideas & Supporting Details• Author’s PurposeAuthor’s Purpose

How will you supplement current How will you supplement current classroom text with additional classroom text with additional persuasive passages?persuasive passages?

• Good Reading on the WebGood Reading on the Web

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