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Text features (headings, captions, bold)

Grade 4 · English Language Arts · Free lesson

Hi there! I am Studyfin, your learning buddy. Let's explore how text features help us read!

Authors use print and graphic features to help us understand information. These features are like road signs. They guide us through a text and tell us what is important.

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Headings are short titles at the top of a section. They tell you what that part of the text is about. This helps you find facts quickly.

All About Frogs

Bold words are printed in dark, heavy ink. Authors use bold print to show you that a word is a key vocabulary term. It stands out so you notice it.

Frogs live in a wet habitat near lakes.

Captions are small groups of words below a picture. They explain what is happening in the picture. Without a caption, we might guess the wrong meaning.

Figure 1: The sun warms up the pond water.
✏️ Worked example

Let's analyze this short passage to find the author's purpose: --- **Types of Storms** Storms can bring heavy rain. A **hurricane** is a very large storm that forms over warm ocean waters. --- Why did the author use bold print for the word "hurricane"?

  1. Look closely at the word "hurricane" in the text. Notice that it is written in darker, thicker letters than the other words.
  2. Think about what the word "hurricane" means. It is a specific, important science vocabulary word.
  3. Ask yourself why the author wanted this word to stand out. The author wants to grab your attention.
  4. Explain the purpose: The author used bold print to show that "hurricane" is a key vocabulary word that you need to know.
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