Question Types for Analytical Reading of Informational Text

1. Question Types for Analytical Reading of Informational Text

2. What are the usual ingredients in informational text? Side dishes: anecdotes cause/effect statements descriptions comparison/contrast embedded definitions examples metaphors Meat of the Sandwich: Main idea Bread: Vocabulary Condiments: Cohesive devices: conjunctions relative pronouns punctuation Utensils: What is referred to by the pronouns? What do the words and phrases mean? What is the organizing principle? (classification? narrative? process? problem/solution? description?)

3. Close (analytical) Reading: • Generic Questions for Informational Text: (In alphabetical order) • Main Idea: Is the main idea stated explicitly, or is it implied? Is it stated once • only, or more than once? • Other “ingredients” (aka details) • Anecdotes:Are there little “side stories” involving people that the author • includes to illustrate the main idea? • 2.Cause/effect statements: What, if any, statements in the text answer the • question “Why?” • 3.Comparison/contrast:What things, if any, are being compared and contrasted? What are the similarities and differences between these things? • 4.Descriptions:Are there any detailed descriptions in the text? Of what? What • words allow you to visualize the thing described? • 5.Embedded Definitions: What, if any, words or phrases are defined within the • text?

4. Close (analytical) Reading: 6. Examples: What, if any, examples, are given in the text? Examples for what? 7. Metaphor:Are there metaphors? If so, what do they mean? 8.Numbers & Statistics: If there are numbers and/or statistics, what do they refer to? How do they support the information? Utensils: Organization: What organizational system does the author use? Chronological? Spatial? Order of importance? Story? Classification? Pronoun Antecedents:Do we know the referents of all of the pronouns? Vocabulary: Are there any key words in the text that are used in an unfamiliar or unusual way? Does the reader have to “recalculate” the meaning of any key words?

5. Close Reading Model The South China Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by China, Taiwan, and many countries of Southeast Asia. Because the sea links the Pacific and Indian oceans, it is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The South China Sea is also an important region because of the significant deposits of oil and natural gas that lie beneath its waters. In addition, the South China Sea has one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. In fact, according to environmental studies conducted in the Philippines, the sea contains one-third of the world’s marine biodiversity. Tuna, mackerel, anchovies, shrimp, and other fish are abundant. Seafood caught in the South China Sea is the main source of protein for the millions of people living around the sea. In 2007, Chinese archaeologists watched as an 800-year-old ship was hauled from the bottom of the South China Sea. It was loaded with 60,000 to 80,000 artifacts. Some researchers estimate that 2,000 ships lie at the bottom of the South China Sea. However, dying coral reefs and contaminated fish also lie underwater—the result of pollution. “Water Resources”. National Geographic Global Issues. McGraw Hill.

6. Close Reading Model: Stopping Points (Analysis through Cohesive Devices) The South China Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by China, Taiwan, and many countries of Southeast Asia. Because the sea links the Pacific and Indian oceans,itis one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The South China Sea is also an important region because of the significant deposits of oil and natural gas that lie beneath itswaters. In addition, the South China Sea has one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. In fact, according to environmental studies conducted in the Philippines, the sea contains one-third of the world’s marine biodiversity. Tuna, mackerel, anchovies, shrimp, and other fish are abundant. Seafood caught in the South China Sea is the main source of protein for the millions of people living around the sea. In 2007, Chinese archaeologists watched as an 800-year-old ship was hauled from the bottom of the South China Sea. Itwas loaded with 60,000 to 80,000 artifacts. Some researchers estimate that 2,000 ships lie at the bottom of the South China Sea. However, dying coral reefs and contaminated fish also lie underwater— the result of pollution. “Water Resources”. National Geographic Global Issues. McGraw Hill.

7. Close Reading Model: AWL Words The South China Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by China, Taiwan, and many countries of Southeast Asia. Because the sea links the Pacific and Indian oceans, it is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The South China Sea is also an important region (2) because of the significant (1) deposits of oil and natural gas that lie beneath its waters. In addition, the South China Sea has one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. In fact, according to environmental(1) studies conducted in the Philippines, the sea contains one-third of the world’s marine biodiversity. Tuna, mackerel, anchovies, shrimp, and other fish are abundant. Seafood caught in the South China Sea is the main source of protein for the millions of people living around the sea. In 2007, Chinese archaeologists watched as an 800-year-old ship was hauled from the bottom of the South China Sea. It was loaded with 60,000 to 80,000 artifacts. Some researchers (1) estimate (1) that 2,000 ships lie at the bottom of the South China Sea. However, dying coral reefs and contaminated fish also lie underwater—the resultof pollution. “Water Resources”. National Geographic Global Issues. McGraw Hill.

8. Close Reading Model: “Ingredients” The South China Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by China, Taiwan, and many countries of Southeast Asia. Because the sea links the Pacific and Indian oceans, it is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The South China Sea is also an important region because of the significant deposits of oil and natural gas that lie beneath its waters. In addition, the South China Sea has one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. In fact, according to environmental studies conducted in the Phillippines,the sea contains one-third of the world’s marine biodiversity. Tuna, mackerel, anchovies, shrimp, and other fish are abundant. Seafood caught in the South China Sea is the main source of protein for the millions of people living around the sea. In 2007, Chinese archaeologists watched as an 800-year-old ship was hauledfrom the bottom of the South China Sea. It was loaded with 60,000 to 80,000 artifacts. Some researchers estimate that 2,000 ships lie at the bottom of the South China Sea. However, dying coral reefs and contaminated fish also lie underwater—the result of pollution. -anecdotes? -cause & effect statements? -comparison/ contrast? -descriptions? -embedded definitions? -examples? -metaphor? -statistics? “Water Resources”. National Geographic Global Issues. McGraw Hill.

9. Close Reading Mode: AWL Words: Harmful Fishing Practices Certain fishing practices are causing additional problem in the South China Sea. Fish for food—as well as fish for aquariums— are caught in the South China Sea using cyanide fishing. Fishermen spray a poison called sodium cyanide into the water above coral reefs because reefs are like underwater jungles where many species live. Since the poison is diluted in the water, it usually doesn’t kill the fish. Instead it stuns the fish and allows the fishermen to catch them. However, the poison weakens the fish. Many owners of tropical aquariums oppose cyanide fishing because fish caught using that method often die sooner than others. Cyanide fishing can also harm coral reefs. The poison collects on the reefs and kills them. Coral reefs are made from the skeletons of tiny marine animals, a process that takes years. Scientists are worried that coral reefs around the world are being killed by human activities more quickly than nature can replace them. Coral reefs are important because they provide a home for many different species of fish. They also supply food, jobs, and even sourcesof medicines for millions of people.

10. Close Reading Mode: Stopping Points (Analysis through Cohesive Devices) Harmful Fishing Practices Certain fishing practices are causing additional problems in the South China Sea. Fish for food— as well as fish for aquariums— are caught in the South China Sea using cyanide fishing. Fishermen spray a poison called sodium cyanide into the water above coral reefs because reefs are like underwater jungles where many species live. Since the poison is diluted in the water, it usually doesn’t kill the fish. Instead it stuns the fish and allows the fishermen to catch them. However, the poison weakens the fish. Many owners of tropical aquariums oppose cyanide fishing because fish caught using that method often die sooner than others. Cyanide fishing can also harm coral reefs. The poison collects on the reefs and kills them. Coral reefs are made from the skeletons of tiny marine animals, a process that takes years. Scientists are worried that coral reefs around the world are being killed by human activities more quickly than nature can replace them. Coral reefs are important because they provide a home for many different species of fish. They also supply food, jobs, and even sources of medicines for milliions of people.

11. Close Reading Mode: Content “ingredients” Harmful Fishing Practices Certain fishing practices are causing additional problem in the South China Sea. Fish for food—as well as fish for aquariums—are caught in the South China Sea using cyanide fishing. Fishermen spray a poison called sodium cyanide into the water above coral reefs because reefs are like underwater jungles where many species live. Since the poison is diluted in the water, it usually doesn’t kill the fish. Instead it stuns the fish and allows the fishermen to catch them. However, the poison weakens the fish. Many ownersof tropical aquariums oppose cyanide fishing because fish caught using that method often die sooner than others. Cyanide fishing can also harm coral reefs. The poison collects on the reefs and kills them. Coral reefs are made from the skeletons of tiny marine animals, a process that takes years. Scientists are worried that coral reefs around the world are being killed by human activities more quickly than nature can replace them. Coral reefs are important because they provide a home for many different species of fish. They also supply food, jobs, and even sources of medicines for millions of people. -anecdotes? -cause & effect statements? -comparison/ contrast? -descriptions? -embedded definitions? -examples? -metaphor? -statistics?

12. Close Reading Mode: AWL Words: Harmful Fishing Practices Certain fishing practices are causing additional problem in the South China Sea. Fish for food—as well as fish for aquariums— are caught in the South China Sea using cyanide fishing. Fishermen spray a poison called sodium cyanide into the water above coral reefs because reefs are like underwater jungles where many species live. Since the poison is diluted in the water, it usually doesn’t kill the fish. Instead it stuns the fish and allows the fishermen to catch them. However, the poison weakens the fish. Many owners of tropical aquariums oppose cyanide fishing because fish caught using that method often die sooner than others. Cyanide fishing can also harm coral reefs. The poison collects on the reefs and kills them. Coral reefs are made from the skeletons of tiny marine animals, a process (1) that takes years. Scientists are worried that coral reefs around the world are being killed by human activities more quickly than nature can replace them. Coral reefs are important because they provide a home for many different species of fish. They also supply food, jobs, and even sources (1) of medicines for millions of people.