Why is teaching text features important?

Teaching text features is crucial because it equips students with the skills needed to effectively navigate and comprehend non-fiction texts. Text features, such as headings, subheadings, tables of contents, indexes, captions, graphs, and illustrations, serve as tools that guide readers through the text. By learning how to identify and utilize these features, students can locate information quickly, understand the organization of the material, and make connections between different parts of the text. This understanding not only enhances their ability to interpret factual content but also empowers them to critically analyze and synthesize information, which is essential in academic and real-world contexts. Emphasizing text features, therefore, directly supports students' reading comprehension, particularly for the genres that rely heavily on these organizational aids.