Nonfiction Notice and Note Signposts

Signpost Name and

Anchor Questions Signal Words and Clues
Definition
Contrast and Contradictions But, Although, Even though, on the other
A difference between 2 or more What is the difference, hand, nevertheless, still, by contrast, yet,
things in a text (ideas, perspectives, and why does it matter? unlike, otherwise, etc.
events, situations etc.)
Extreme or Absolute Language All, always, indisputably, arguably, never,
Use of language that leaves no none, totally, unquestionably, hardest,
Why does the author use meanest, hungriest, perfectly, completely,
doubt about a situation or event,
this language? absolutely, unconditionally, entirely,
perhaps exaggerates or overstates a exclusively
case.
Numbers and Stats Dates, specific numerical amounts,
Author uses numbers or words to Why did the author use majority, some, everyone, many, half,
show comparisons or create an these numbers and stats? several, ratio, percent
image in the reader’s mind.
Quoted Words Why was this person
Quoting others directly as an expert quoted or cited and what “__________________”
or personal perspective. does this add?
1) If the word looks familiar look for
Does this seem like context clues*
Word Gaps
technical talk for this 2) If the word is completely unknown look
Author uses words or phrases that
topic? Can I use clues in it up.
the reader does not recognize or
the sentence to help me *Context clues: look at the surrounding sentences to
know yet. infer a definition
understand the word?
-definitions -examples -non-examples