Lesson 1: Determining the Effect of Textual Aids like Advance Organizers, Titles, Non-linear illustrations, etc. on the Understanding of a Text
Are you excited to start your first lesson this school year? All right!
As you are now in Grade 10, you are expected to have developed a deeper appreciation for textual aids. It is easier to understand a highly technical text by picking up key information and using them. Textual aids are educational instruments or tools that provide support and facilitate understanding of texts.
They activate background knowledge, especially before reading a selection, article, or any text.
What do you do when you read something and you have a difficulty understanding the text? Think of the things you do to help yourself understand a difficult text better.
It is good if you have your teacher or a family member to help you understand a challenging story or speech. However, if you are alone, or if there is no one who can help you understand what you read, textual aids might just save the day!
Different Textual Aids to Help You Understand What You Read
Title
A title when effective, activates background knowledge on what you are about to read. It also gives you an idea of what the text is all about.
Examples:
Death of a Salesman
Romeo and Juliet
Sorry, Wrong Number
Bold and Italicized Words
Some words are highlighted in the text to draw your attention to important details.
Examples:
The correct answer is D.
Justin courted her for seven long years.
Bold text is used to capture a reader’s attention. When you italicize a word, it gets noticed.
She was the only girl who made it to the Top 10 of the Math
Olympiad.
I have read the Guimarasnon Chronicles.
Advanced/Graphic Organizers
These are tools that use visual symbols to express knowledge and concepts through relationships between them. Some example of advance organizers are:
1. Concept Map
A concept map is a general organizer that shows a central idea with its corresponding characteristics. Concept maps can take many different shapes and can be used to show any type of relationship that can be labeled.
Maps are excellent for brainstorming, activating prior knowledge, or generating synonyms.
2.Flow Diagram or Sequence Chart
A flow diagram or sequence chart shows a series of steps or events in the order in which they take place. Any concept that has a distinct order can be displayed in this type of organizer. It is an excellent tool for teaching students – the steps necessary to reach a final point.
The following examples illustrate the many uses of flow diagrams or sequence charts:
In reading, sequence charts can be used to outline the key events in a story or chapter.
In Science, they can serve as the procedures section in the scientific process.
In history, they can be created as a timeline.
3.Compare and Contrast/ Venn Diagram
A compare and contrast or Venn diagram is used to identify the similarities and differences between two or more concepts. The most commonly used organizer, this instructional tool is found in textbooks, on standardized tests, and in teacher resource materials.
4.Cause-and-Effect Diagram
A cause-and-effect diagram highlights the direct relationship between different events or concepts. This tool is one of the most beneficial organizers because of its many applications in all subject areas.
For example, this diagram might be used to analyze characters and events in reading, to discuss major events in social studies, or to study the impact of a science experiment.
5. Main Idea and Details Chart
A main idea and details chart shows the hierarchical relationship between major concepts and their subordinate elements. This organizer is extremely beneficial in helping students distinguish central ideas and their corresponding details from less important information.
When using this type of graphic organizer, clearly label the main idea and the details as such. Use a different shape or area for the main idea and the details.
6.T Charts
T charts allow students to study two facets of a topic. For example, disadvantages and advantages, pros and cons, differences and similarities, etc.
7. KWL Chart
KWL chart is used for gathering information from student’s prior knowledge or experience. This 3 column chart captures the before (what the reader already knows), during (what the reader wants to learn) and after (what the reader learned) stages of reading.
Non-linear illustrations
These follow a non-sequential reading path, any text that is not read from beginning to the end falls into the category.
1. Pie Chart
It is a circular chart cut into parts to show magnitudes or frequencies.
2. Bar graph
A bar graph is a graphical display of data using bars of different heights.
