Just the Facts
How can you recognize informational text?
Goal:
Goal:
Unlike fictional stories, informational texts tell you about the real world. Usually the writer of an informational text wants to tell you something new. The "story" will include facts, descriptions of real places or events, and real people rather than fictional characters.
The writer of Letters from a Cat used some factual details about cats. (Some cats do like to eat flies.) However, other details were made up. (Cats can't really write letters.) If you want to learn some facts about cats, though, an informational text is a better source.
Read this excerpt from a piece called "Caring for a Cat", and think about how it's different from Letters from a Cat.
Not too long ago, I visited an animal shelter and fell in love with a playful black and white kitten. My dad told me I could have her if I promised to take care of her. I've had Oreo for about a month now, and I've learned a few things about caring for cats.
Before bringing Oreo home, I went with my mom to the store and bought several things that Oreo would need. We got food and water bowls, some toys, and a cat bed. We also picked up cat food and a cat carrier. I thought we would buy cat litter, but my mom had a better idea. Since we have a fenced yard, she wanted to install a cat door. She called my dad, and he had the door installed before we got home.
Next, we picked up Oreo and took her to the vet. He gave us some medicine to help control fleas and ticks. Then he checked Oreo over, and told us when she needed to come back and see him again. We took Oreo home after that and turned her loose in the house. She was scared at first and hid under the bed. I was finally able to coax her out with a bowl of milk.
Soon Oreo was looking around the house. After she tried to climb the curtains, my dad closed off the bedroom doors. He told me to keep an eye on her at all times to keep her out of trouble. Oreo caused problems for three days. She explored everything, knocked over plants, and tried to use the bathroom in a corner. I discovered that taking care of a cat can be a full-time job, at least when it's a kitten.
Question
What does the writer of this informational text want to tell her readers?
Question
Reread this part of the article:
After she tried to climb the curtains, my dad closed off the bedroom doors. He told me to keep an eye on her at all times to keep her out of trouble. Oreo caused problems for three days. She explored everything, knocked over plants, and tried to use the bathroom in a corner.
What does this passage tell you about kittens?