What is the main focus when teaching reading strategies for informational texts?

When teaching reading strategies for informational texts, the primary focus should be on identifying the author's purpose. This skill is essential because understanding why an author wrote a particular text influences how readers interpret the information presented. Informational texts typically aim to inform, persuade, or explain, so recognizing the author’s intention helps students grasp the main ideas and the structure of the content. It allows them to evaluate the effectiveness of the arguments made, analyze the information critically, and integrate it with their prior knowledge.

In contrast, while interpreting emotional messages, exploring metaphors and similes, or recognizing narrative arcs can be important in understanding literary texts, they are less relevant when dealing with the factual and direct nature of informational texts. The goal with these texts is typically to extract and synthesize factual information rather than to analyze emotional layers or literary devices. Focusing on the author's purpose provides a more practical framework for students to engage with and understand the material effectively.