Text Features of Informational Writing: Essential Guide

This printable reference chart helps fifth and sixth-grade students identify and analyze informational text features. By categorizing thirty-seven distinct elements into print features, organizational aids, graphic aids, and illustrations, the resource provides a clear visual guide that supports students as they navigate complex nonfiction texts independently.

At a Glance

• Grade: Grade 5, Grade 6 · Subject: ELA & Reading
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5 — Use text features to locate information
• Skill Focus: Informational text features
• Format: 1 page · 37 terms · Reference chart · PDF
• Best For: Reading comprehension support
• Time: 10–15 minutes

This single-page anchor chart organizes thirty-seven text features into four color-coded columns: print features, organizational aids, graphic aids, and illustrations. The layout serves as a comprehensive visual dictionary for students.

Zero-Prep Classroom Workflow

This reference sheet requires no preparation. Follow these three steps to integrate it:

• Print (1 minute): Print one copy per student, or display it as a classroom anchor chart.
• Distribute (1 minute): Hand out the sheets or have students glue them into reading notebooks.
• Review (5 minutes): Walk through the four categories as a whole group before students begin reading.

Total teacher preparation time is under two minutes.

Standards Alignment

This resource aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5, helping students analyze text structure. It also supports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.5 by helping students understand how specific text features contribute to informational writing. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

How to Use It

Use this chart during direct instruction when introducing nonfiction text structures. Have students keep the sheet visible while reading informational articles, prompting them to locate three different features. For a quick formative assessment, ask students to write down the purpose of one graphic aid. This activity takes ten to fifteen minutes.

Who It's For

This chart is designed for fifth and sixth-grade students learning to navigate informational texts. It is highly beneficial for English language learners who require visual scaffolds. Pair this reference sheet with a short informational passage to maximize student engagement.

According to the Fisher & Frey (2014) framework for close reading, explicit instruction in text features significantly enhances a student's ability to navigate complex informational texts. This reference chart directly supports this instructional goal by organizing thirty-seven key elements under CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5. Research indicates that when students can quickly identify print features, organizational aids, graphic aids, and illustrations, their cognitive load is reduced, allowing them to focus more energy on deep comprehension and critical analysis of the content. By providing a structured, color-coded visual guide, teachers can scaffold the reading process for diverse learners, helping them transition from guided practice to independent analysis. This resource serves as a foundational tool for developing the critical literacy skills necessary for academic success in middle school and beyond.