The Role of Informational Texts in ELA Common Core: What Students Need to Know

By Premlata, Founder of Wisdom Point

Many students, I’ve observed, find themselves at a crossroads in their English Language Arts (ELA) journey. While the familiar narratives of fiction offer comfort and a clear path, the landscape of ELA has significantly expanded, particularly with the advent of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), to include a robust emphasis on informational texts. It's a common scenario in my classroom: students who effortlessly navigate stories often grapple with the complexities of non-fiction, whether it’s deciphering a scientific report or analyzing a historical document. This isn't merely about reading; it’s about mastering expository writing, critically analyzing facts, and synthesizing information from diverse sources. This shift is crucial, and it’s precisely what we at Wisdom Point are dedicated to addressing.

This blog post explores the vital role of informational texts in ELA Common Core, shedding light on why this emphasis is so important and what students need to know to truly excel. We’ll explore key strategies for ELA comprehension, how to dissect expository writing, and ultimately, how to empower students to become confident and capable readers of the real world.

The Shifting Sands of ELA: Why Informational Texts Matter More Than Ever

For generations, ELA classrooms predominantly focused on literary works – novels, poems, plays, and short stories. While these remain incredibly important for fostering creativity, empathy, and an understanding of the human condition, the modern world demands more. The Common Core State Standards recognized this need, advocating for a significant increase in the proportion of informational texts students encounter across all grade levels.

Why this profound shift? The answer lies in the demands of the 21st century. Whether in higher education, the workplace, or simply as informed citizens, individuals are constantly bombarded with non-fiction – news articles, scientific reports, historical documents, technical manuals, and countless other forms of expository writing. The ability to comprehend, evaluate, and utilize this information is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

The Common Core's emphasis on informational texts in ELA aims to:

• Prepare students for college and career: Most college courses and professional roles require extensive engagement with academic and technical informational texts.

• Foster critical thinking and analytical skills: Informational texts demand a different kind of reading – one that involves evaluating evidence, identifying arguments, and discerning fact from opinion.

• Cultivate informed citizens: Understanding complex societal issues requires the ability to interpret data, analyze arguments, and comprehend diverse perspectives presented in non-fiction.

• Develop strong research and writing skills: Engaging with informational texts provides the foundation for conducting research and crafting well-supported arguments.

This expanded focus on Common Core non-fiction is not about diminishing the value of literature; rather, it’s about creating well-rounded readers who are adept at understanding both the imaginative and the factual worlds.

Decoding Expository Writing: Understanding the Landscape of Non-Fiction

Understanding expository writing is fundamental to mastering informational texts. Unlike narrative writing, which tells a story, expository writing aims to explain, inform, describe, or clarify. It presents facts, shares knowledge, and often employs specific organizational structures to convey information clearly and efficiently.

I've found that students often struggle with identifying these structures, which can hinder their comprehension. Here are some common types of expository writing structures and what students need to look for:

• Description: Provides details to create a mental picture for the reader. Students should look for sensory details, adjectives, and comparisons.

• Sequence/Order: Presents events or steps in a specific order. Keywords include "first," "next," "then," "after," "before," and dates. This is common in historical accounts or instructions.

• Comparison/Contrast: Highlights similarities and differences between two or more subjects. Students should pay attention to words like "similarly," "likewise," "on the other hand," "however," and "in contrast."

• Cause and Effect: Explains why something happened (cause) and what resulted (effect). Look for words such as "because," "since," "as a result," "consequently," and "therefore."

• Problem/Solution: Presents a problem and then offers one or more solutions. Students should identify the problem statement and the proposed resolutions.

• Main Idea and Supporting Details: The most prevalent structure, where a central idea is presented and then supported by evidence, examples, and facts. Students must learn to distinguish the main idea from the supporting information.

Teaching students to recognize these structures provides them with a powerful toolkit for approaching any informational text. It's like giving them a map to navigate unfamiliar terrain.

Essential ELA Comprehension Strategies for Informational Texts

Navigating informational texts effectively requires a specific set of ELA comprehension strategies. These go beyond simply reading the words on the page; they involve active engagement with the text. Here are some of the strategies I emphasize in my lessons:

1. Previewing and Predicting

Before even starting to read, students should preview the text. This involves:

• Reading the title and headings: These often provide clues about the main idea and structure.

• Looking at visuals: Photographs, charts, graphs, and diagrams can convey significant information.

• Scanning the first and last paragraphs: These often contain the introduction and conclusion, giving a snapshot of the content.

• Identifying keywords: Bolded terms, definitions, or repeated words can highlight important concepts.

Based on this preview, students can make predictions about what the text will be about, activating their prior knowledge and setting a purpose for reading.

2. Identifying Main Ideas and Key Details

This is perhaps the most critical skill for understanding expository writing. Students need to be able to distinguish between the central message of a paragraph or section and the specific details that support it.

• Paragraph-level focus: Encourage students to ask, "What is this paragraph mostly about?"

• Summarizing: Practicing summarizing paragraphs or sections in their own words helps solidify their understanding of the main idea.

• Highlighting/Underlining: Teach strategic highlighting of main ideas and key supporting facts, rather than just random sentences.

3. Analyzing Text Features

Informational texts are rich with features designed to aid comprehension. Students must learn to effectively utilize these:

• Headings and Subheadings: Guide the reader through the text's organization.

• Captions: Explain visuals and provide context.

• Bolded or Italicized Words: Indicate important terms or concepts.

• Glossaries and Indexes: Provide definitions and help locate specific information.

• Charts, Graphs, and Maps: Present data visually and require interpretation.

Teaching students to pause and process these features, rather than skipping over them, dramatically improves their understanding of Common Core non-fiction.

4. Determining Author's Purpose and Point of View

Unlike fiction, where the author's primary purpose might be to entertain, the purpose of informational text is usually to inform, persuade, or explain. Students should ask:

• Why did the author write this? Is it to educate, convince, or simply present facts?

• What is the author's stance on the topic? Is there any bias present?

• Who is the intended audience? This can influence the language and level of detail.

Understanding the author's purpose helps students critically evaluate the information presented.

5. Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

Even in informational texts, not all information is explicitly stated. Students need to develop their ability to make logical inferences based on the evidence provided. This involves:

• Reading between the lines: What does the text imply, even if it doesn't say it directly?

• Combining text evidence with prior knowledge: Using what they already know, along with what the text states, to form new understandings.

• Drawing conclusions: Synthesizing information from different parts of the text to form a coherent understanding.

6. Differentiating Between Fact and Opinion

This is a cornerstone of critical literacy, especially with the prevalence of misinformation. Students must be able to discern objective facts from subjective opinions.

• Facts: Can be proven true through evidence or verification.

• Opinions: Express beliefs, feelings, or judgments and cannot be objectively proven.

Teach students to look for words that signal opinion (e.g., "I believe," "in my opinion," "best," "worst") and to always question the source of information.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Students

At Wisdom Point, I firmly believe that learning extends beyond the classroom. Here are some practical steps parents can take and students can implement to strengthen their understanding of informational texts:

For Parents:

• Encourage diverse reading: Go beyond storybooks. Introduce your child to age-appropriate magazines, newspapers (or online news sources), non-fiction books on topics they find interesting, and even instructional manuals for games or hobbies.

• Talk about what they read: After they read an informational text, ask questions: "What was the main idea?" "What new facts did you learn?" "How did the pictures help you understand?"

• Connect reading to real life: If they read about animals, visit a zoo. If they read about history, visit a museum. Make the connection tangible.

• Model good reading habits: Let your child see you reading informational texts – news, articles, even recipes! Discuss what you’re learning.

• Support research projects: When your child has a research project, guide them in finding reliable sources and understanding how to extract key information.

For Students:

• Be an active reader: Don't just passively read. Ask questions as you go, highlight important points, and make notes in the margins (if allowed).

• Look for patterns: Pay attention to how the author organizes the information. Are there lists, comparisons, or sequences?

• Define unfamiliar words: Don't skip over words you don't know. Use context clues, a dictionary, or online resources to look them up. Building your vocabulary is key to understanding expository writing.

• Summarize frequently: After each paragraph or section, try to summarize it in one or two sentences. This helps consolidate your understanding.

• Question everything: Don't just accept information at face value. Ask yourself: "Is this fact or opinion?" "What evidence supports this claim?" "Is the source credible?"

• Practice with different types of texts: Read news articles, science explanations, historical accounts, and even technical instructions. The more exposure you have to Common Core non-fiction, the more comfortable you'll become.

Frequently Asked Questions About Informational Texts in ELA

Here are some common questions parents and students often ask about the role of informational texts in ELA:

1. Why is there such a strong focus on informational texts now?

The increased focus reflects the demands of college and career readiness in the 21st century. Most real-world reading, whether in academia or professional settings, involves non-fiction. It also develops crucial critical thinking and analytical skills needed to navigate a fact-heavy world.

2. Does this mean fiction is less important in ELA?

Not at all! Fiction remains incredibly important for developing empathy, creativity, understanding human experiences, and appreciating diverse perspectives. The goal isn't to diminish fiction but to create a more balanced and comprehensive ELA curriculum that prepares students for all types of reading.

3. What's the biggest difference between reading fiction and informational texts?

Fiction often focuses on narrative, character, and plot for entertainment or exploring themes. Informational texts, or expository writing, primarily aim to inform, explain, or persuade using facts, evidence, and logical structures. They require a more analytical and evaluative approach.

4. My child struggles with science and history; will this make ELA harder?

Initially, it might feel challenging, but the integration of informational texts in ELA is designed to support understanding in those subjects. By learning ELA comprehension strategies for non-fiction, students gain tools that directly apply to their science, history, and other content-area reading. It bridges the gap between subjects.

5. How can I tell if an informational text source is reliable?

This is a vital skill! Teach your child to consider the author's expertise, the publication's reputation, whether the information is supported by evidence, if there's any obvious bias, and if the information is current. Sites ending in .gov, .edu, or reputable news organizations are generally good starting points.

6. What if my child finds informational texts boring?

The key is to connect the texts to their interests. If they love animals, find engaging articles about wildlife. If they're curious about space, explore texts on astronomy. Show them how informational texts can answer their questions and expand their understanding of topics they genuinely care about. Making it relevant makes it engaging.

The Journey to Confident Comprehension

The emphasis on informational texts in ELA Common Core is not a fleeting trend; it’s a necessary evolution in how we prepare students for the complexities of the modern world. Understanding expository writing is a fundamental skill that underpins success in academics, careers, and informed citizenship.

I've seen firsthand the transformation in students when they unlock the power of informational texts. The initial struggle often gives way to a sense of empowerment as they realize they can dissect complex ideas, critically evaluate information, and become active participants in understanding the world around them. It’s a journey of growth, and it’s one that we at Wisdom Point are passionate about guiding students through.

Ready to unlock your child's ELA comprehension potential, especially when it comes to the nuances of informational texts? Join me and other passionate educators at Wisdom Point for personalized 1:1 online classes. Book a free demo today!