Every time you read a recipe, operating instructions for a new gadget, a terms-of-use agreement, a warranty, or any type of directions, you are reading informational text. These kinds of documents often include lots of visual elements--such as charts, graphs, diagrams, schematics, and tables--to explain something in as clear a way as possible.
When you read informational texts, you must define and analyze jargon based on the context, understand acronyms, analyze charts and other visual elements, and determine the typographical markers for text structure to understand how ideas fit together.
Click the Read Me button to read another excerpt from the COSR Military Training Manual. Then answer the close reading questions below.
What typographical markers does this manual use?
- numbers and letters of the alphabet
- sections and numbers
- parts and letters of the alphabet
- Roman numerals and letters of the alphabet
The section topics are designated differently than the points under them.
The section topics are designated differently than the points under them.
The section topics are designated differently than the points under them.
The section topics are designated differently than the points under them.
Read this quote from the COSR Training Manual:
1-33. The reactions that are listed in Table 1-4 do not necessarily mean that the person must be relieved from duty, but warrant immediate evaluation and help by leadership. If not provided support, Soldiers may become COSR casualties.
Based on context, what is meant by the technical jargon "COSR casualties"?
- Soldiers may suffer from COSR.
- Soldiers may be relieved from duty because of COSR.
- Soldiers may require a break from duty because of COSR.
- Soldiers may die or be wounded because of COSR complications.
Casualties in war refer to soldiers who have been wounded or killed.
Casualties in war refer to soldiers who have been wounded or killed.
Casualties in war refer to soldiers who have been wounded or killed.
Casualties in war refer to soldiers who have been wounded or killed.
Based on the contents in this section, what would the next section most likely address?
- an introduction to COSR
- a detailed explanation of what COSR is
- how to treat COSR effectively
- how to avoid COSR
Often manuals such as this one list the symptoms and then give suggestions for how to treat them.
Often manuals such as this one list the symptoms and then give suggestions for how to treat them.
Often manuals such as this one list the symptoms and then give suggestions for how to treat them.
Often manuals such as this one list the symptoms and then give suggestions for how to treat them.
Why are mild and severe stress reactions included in table form?
- to save space
- to keep the manual organized
- for easy reference
- to eliminate confusion
Information presented as visual elements is often of great importance and needs to be easily accessible and/or it is clearest when represented visually.
Information presented as visual elements is often of great importance and needs to be easily accessible and/or it is clearest when represented visually.
Information presented as visual elements is often of great importance and needs to be easily accessible and/or it is clearest when represented visually.
Information presented as visual elements is often of great importance and needs to be easily accessible and/or it is clearest when represented visually.
How are the bulleted lists organized, and why are they listed in this way?
- under body systems or ailments, so users can easily find the information they need
- from most severe to least severe, so users can see the most important information first
- from least severe to most severe, so users can see how COSR might get worse over time
- starting with external reactions and moving to internal reactions, to show how this problem escalates
The list includes the most common stress reactions.
The list includes the most common stress reactions.
The list includes the most common stress reactions.
The list includes the most common stress reactions.
This manual includes positive reactions to stress, too. What question would you ask and answer about this to help you fully understand the manual?
- Why are positive reactions to stress included in this section?
- Why do soldiers react positively to stress when they are in such horrible circumstances?
- How do soldiers react positively to stress, particularly on the battlefield?
- Why is it important to know the positive reactions to stress as well as the negative?
If a commanding officer is trying to identify COSR, he or she needs to know all of its symptoms.
If a commanding officer is trying to identify COSR, he or she needs to know all of its symptoms.
If a commanding officer is trying to identify COSR, he or she needs to know all of its symptoms.
If a commanding officer is trying to identify COSR, he or she needs to know all of its symptoms.
Summary
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