What is the recommended approach to analyzing informational texts?

• A. Read once and summarize without citations.
• B. Annotate vocabulary words only.
• C. Determine central idea, evaluate evidence, analyze structure and rhetoric, and compare viewpoints across sources with textual citations.
• D. Ignore diagrams and tables.

Answer: (C)

Analyzing informational texts effectively means looking beyond what is said on the surface to understand how the author builds and supports a claim. Start by identifying the central idea or main claim. Then examine the evidence: what data, examples, statistics, quotes, or authorities are used, and how credible and relevant they seem. Notice how the text is structured—whether it follows a problem/solution, cause/effect, or compare/contrast pattern—and what that structure reveals about the author’s purpose. Pay attention to rhetoric and tone—any appeals to logic, emotion, or credibility, and any signs of bias. Finally, bring in other sources to compare viewpoints, noting where authors agree or diverge and how each uses citations to ground their claims. This approach helps you assess reliability, understand different perspectives, and synthesize information in your own writing.

Choices that focus only on a quick read and a summary miss evaluating evidence and sources; focusing solely on vocabulary ignores the larger ideas, structure, and argumentative moves; and ignoring diagrams or tables overlooks important data and visual information that inform understanding.