Text Features Anchor Chart

We’ve created helpful text features anchor chart resources below. Text features can sometimes be overlooked as we read the main body of a work, but these figures, diagrams, headings, and other elements are meant to help us understand the organization of a piece or provide us with a visual representation. These components offer an alternative, extended, or enhanced way of understanding information and are critical for differentiation and reading skills that allow us to process what’s included in a work.

To make the most out of analyzing text features, always:

• explore text features explicitly; review the different types of fonts, figures, and features to help students understand what to look for before they read and as they read
• start with simple text features and then review more complex ones; like other skills, a foundational understanding is essential
• make time for previewing and independent exploration; provide students with a few minutes to look at the text rather than read it– this is great for shorter and longer works!
• note recurring text features in certain genres to understand purposes and effects

Text feature analysis can significantly aid a learner’s understanding of each feature’s purpose and enhance their overall literacy skills. Make time to highlight the importance of text features with each and every reading that includes them.