ERIC Number: EJ885378
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0270-2711
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Available Date: N/A
Student-Accessible Science Texts: Elements of Design
McTigue, Erin M.; Slough, Scott W.
Reading Psychology, v31 n3 p213-227 2010
Within this article, we introduce our conception of text accessibility. First, we synthesize recent research on informational text quality and present key attributes proven to contribute to comprehension of science texts beyond the readability formula. These features include (a) the concreteness of text, (b) the voice of the author, (c) coherent writing structure, (d) selective use of visual information, and (e) integrated verbal and visual information. Throughout our presentation of text accessibility, we illustrate with excerpts from current middle school science texts.
Descriptors: Readability Formulas, Science Instruction, Textbooks, Textbook Content, Middle Schools, Secondary School Science, Textbook Evaluation, Readability, Student Interests, Student Motivation, Visual Stimuli, Illustrations, Photography
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A