NON-FICTION NOTICE AND NOTE POST-ITS
CONTRAST AND CONTRADICTION:
When an author presents different sides of the subject.
Look for signal words like: Alternatively, By Contrast, However, Nonetheless, Otherwise, Then Again, Unlike, Although, Different From, Instead, On The Other Hand, Still, Yet ‘
Sample Post It:
Pg 1 Contrast and Contradiction
“But things went downhill in a hurry”
The author discusses Seattle’s accomplishments over the past 3 years, but then talks about their recent struggles. This is important because it is setting up the main point of the article by illustrating that Seattle isn’t the team they once were. I wonder what side the author falls on.
NUMBER AND STATS:
When an author uses values to illustrate a point.
Look for signals like numbers, percentages, fractions, graphs, charts, and words like “many”, “more”, “fewer” and “lesser.”
SAMPLE POST-IT
PG 1 Numbers and Stats
“…impressive 38-7 dismantling of Minnesota”
The author tells us the score of the Seattle/Minnesota game. This is important because Seattle has been struggling lately, but they beat a good team by a wide margin. I think this might be Seattle’s big turning point. I wonder if they play again if the result would be the same.
EXTREME OR ABSOLUTE LANGUAGE
The author uses strong or vivid words that leave no doubt, exaggeration, or question in the readers mind.
SAMPLE POST-IT
PG 1 Extreme or Absolute Language
“…impressive 38-7 dismantling of Minnesota”
The author uses the word dismantling to describe the result of the Seahawks/Vikings game. The author is trying to show me that the Seahawks really crushed them. I know the Seahawks haven’t been doing well and the author is trying to show me that they are changing. I wonder if this was a fluke.
QUOTED WORDS:
Three different types:
Personal Perspectives: A person’s personal thoughts, feelings, or experience on a topic.
Voice of Authority: An EXPERT’S thoughts, feelings, facts or experience on a topic.
Others’ Words: Citation of someone’s words they have written about a topic
Authors quote people to make their text more interesting or to prove a point.
SAMPLE POST-IT
Pg 1 Quoted Words (VOA)
“It really starts right there…They’re doing a great job.”
The head coach of the team is talking about Athyba Rubin, a new player on their defense. This is important because by quoting the coach, the author gives an expert’s perspective. The author is trying to prove his point and we know the coach knows his players better than anyone. I think Rubin has been the Seahawks best addition this year. I wonder what they’d look like without him.
WORD GAPS:
When the author uses words we are unfamiliar with or don’t understand.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself:
Do I know this word from some place?
Does this seem like technical talk for this topic?
Can I find clues in the sentence to help me understand?
SAMPLE POST IT
Pg 1 Word Gaps
“Elo”
“Nearly back in their familiar perch atop our NFL Elo ratings”
I don’t know this word from anywhere else. It does seem like a technical word because it might be an abbreviation. It also reminds me of other football terms, and it appears to rate teams. I found the word “rating”, “atop”, and “healthy 83% chance” to be helpful tools found around this word. I think that it is some sort of team rating tool used by this site. I will click the link that says Elo rating.