Text Layout

Orientation to the physical aspects of a difficult text can significantly help comprehension. This can help students understand how the textbook works and the messages underlying the features of the text. These features might include:

o Types of text in selection
o Sidebars/Pull Boxes
o Typography (font and styles)
o Color
o Symbols and Icons
o Images and Graphics
o Organization
o Headers and Footers
o Chapter Questions


An explanation of this is found at :
English Across the Curriculum: Language Demands of a Text Book


Teachers can use activities/worksheets such as the one at the following link to this Text book feature Analysis to help students explore the text and discuss how each text feature may hold meaning.


SQ4R.
The text layout can also be explored using the reading strategy SQ4R.


Graphic Organizers Listed by Text Structure
The teacher and students may also select a graphic organizer that best represents the type of text structure in the text (e.g., causal, compare/contrast)



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