---
title: "Non-Fiction Text Features"
description: "Recognise different non-fiction text structures and features (headings, contents, glossary, index), understanding how texts are organised to present information"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/non-fiction-text-features-mt_ZhUuT__i2H
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/non-fiction-text-features-mt_ZhUuT__i2H.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Non-Fiction Text Features

Recognise different non-fiction text structures and features (headings, contents, glossary, index), understanding how texts are organised to present information

Subject: English · Area: Reading Comprehension · Ages 6 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/non-fiction-text-features-mt_ZhUuT__i2H

## Ready when they can

- Use a contents page to find information on a specific topic in a non-fiction book
- Identify the purpose of headings, glossary, and index in an information text
- Recognise that non-fiction books can be structured as lists, time order, or question-and-answer

## Lesson: Finding Facts Fast in Non-Fiction Books

Say you want shark facts without reading every page. Non-fiction books share true facts, so they use special tools to find things fast: a contents page, headings, a glossary, and an index. The contents page at the front lists big topics with page numbers. The index at the back lists single words in ABC order with page numbers.

*(drawing: The contents page sits near the front. The index is the very last part of the book.)*

**Example.** Zara wants to read about sharks. She opens the contents page at the front. It says 'Sharks ... page 14,' so she turns straight there instead of flipping page by page.

Some tools sit on the page. A heading is the title of a part and tells what it is about. A caption sits next to a picture and tells about it. A label joins one part of a picture by a line and names it. Dark, thick words are bold words. They are important, and the glossary tells what each means.

Non-fiction books are organised in different ways too. Some list facts one after another, some follow time order like steps in a recipe, and some ask a question then give the answer right after.

**Tip.** For a whole topic, try the contents. For one word, try the index.

**Recap.** Contents pages, headings, captions, labels, glossaries, and indexes help you find facts fast, and non-fiction books can be built as lists, time order, or question-and-answer.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Main Topic of Informational Texts](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/main-topic-of-informational-texts-mt_aFvsj35QzC)
- [Book Features and Author's Reasons](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/book-features-and-authors-reasons-mt_XeMZdf2Y9W)

## Opens up

- [Using a Dictionary to Check Spellings](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/using-a-dictionary-to-check-spellings-mt_6W5zzDIGZH)
- [Text Features & Presentation](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/text-features-and-presentation-mt_aVZJhPbc_1)
- [Using Multiple Sources](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/using-multiple-sources-mt_JVVKT-_AD9)
- [Main Ideas & Note-Taking](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/main-ideas-and-note-taking-mt_sMAcZW6vWM)
- [Egyptian Tomb Paintings and Artefacts](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/egyptian-tomb-paintings-and-artefacts-mt_yNGrY9xJ8Y)