Different Types of Texts
Recognise common types of texts (storybooks, poems, non-fiction); name the author and illustrator and define the role of each in telling or presenting a text
What a learner can do afterwards
- Distinguish between a story, a poem, and a non-fiction book
- Point to and name the author and illustrator on the cover
- Explain that the author writes the words and the illustrator makes the pictures
1 · Read
A made-up story tells events that a writer invents. A fact book, or non-fiction book, aims to teach true information. A poem uses words for sound and feeling, often in lines. Some poems rhyme and some do not. Rhyming words end with the same sound. A poem can tell a story or share facts too.
Mia reads a made-up story about a cat that speaks. Stories may also include true details or events that could happen. A true detail alone does not make a story a fact book.
A list names things you need or want to remember. A sign displays information or instructions for people who see it. Some signs address one group, such as children. A note is a short message; it need not name its reader. A recipe gives ingredients and steps for making food.
The author writes the words. The illustrator makes the pictures. One person can do both jobs. Credits may be on the cover or inside. Words by and Written by name the author. Pictures by and Illustrated by name the illustrator.
A real subject does not tell you a text's job. Check the words. Fact books can use drawings or photos. Either kind of picture can go with facts or invented events.
Check what a text does. Poems need not rhyme. Real subjects and picture types do not decide the text type. Authors write words; illustrators make pictures. One person can do both.
Lesson, questions and flashcards written for this dataset.
Adapted for younger readers from Khan Academy's "Understanding the structure of stories, poems, and plays | Guided practice". Teaching about book credits, factual writing and everyday texts was added for this dataset.
More to read
Stories, Poems, and Plays
Writers use words in different ways. A story tells about characters and what happens to them. A made-up story has invented events, but it may include true details too.
A poem uses words for their sound and feeling. Poems are often arranged in lines. Some rhyme and some do not. A poem can tell a story or share facts.
A play is written to be performed. People speak its words and act out its events.
A fact book, also called non-fiction, aims to teach true information. It may use drawings or photos. A real subject or a photo alone does not prove that a book is factual.
The author writes the words. The illustrator makes the pictures. One person can do both jobs. Their credits may be on the cover or inside the book.
Other texts have useful jobs too. A list helps you remember things. A sign gives information or instructions to its intended readers. A note carries a short message and need not name its reader. A recipe gives ingredients and cooking steps.
2 · Watch
به انگلیسیTake it off screen
Where it sits
Learn first
Nothing; this is a starting point.
Optional connections
This opens up
Where this leads
24 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.