An author sometimes gives you clues which help you
learn information. Look for some of these clues when reading material
in your classes.
Some Author's Clues:
Uses an introductory or thesis paragraph (first paragraph, which
introduces what the entire reading will be about).
Places main ideas in the form of questions (usually in bold print and beginning the reading selection).
Author answers these questions in the first sentence (referring to the clue above).
Uses bold print.
Pictures and charts are used to explain the vocabulary.
Uses italicized words.
Important vocabulary words are in bold print.
The author uses transition words to write clearly (first, second, third). Ex:
The first zone
is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
The second is
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
The third is .
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. . . . . . . . . .