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U.1 Explore and understand visual elements in stories

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What are visual elements?

Visual elements are the pictures, diagrams, charts, and other images that authors include in texts to help readers understand information better. These elements work with the words to give a clearer meaning.

Examples:
  • A picture of a frog next to an article about frogs
  • A map in a story showing where events take place
  • A diagram showing the life cycle of a butterfly
Note

Visual elements are not just decorations; they give important clues and details that help you understand the text more deeply.

Why are visual elements important?

Visual elements support the main ideas in a passage. They make information easier to understand and remember. They also help readers picture what they are learning.

Examples:
  • A timeline helps you see when events happened in order.
  • A labeled diagram helps you know the parts of a plant or animal.
  • A photograph shows what something looks like in real life.
Note

Always ask yourself: “How does this picture, chart, or map help me understand the text?”

Types of visual elements

There are many different types of visual elements that you may see while reading. Each one has a different purpose.

Examples of types:
  • Photographs – show what something really looks like
  • Illustrations – drawings that explain or decorate a story
  • Diagrams – labeled pictures that show how things work
  • Maps – show locations and places where events happen
  • Charts/Graphs – organize facts and numbers
Note

Different visual elements give different kinds of information. Pay attention to captions, labels, and titles to learn more from them.

How do visual elements help readers?

Visual elements help readers make connections, see details clearly, and understand the author’s message. They often show what words alone cannot fully explain.

Examples:
  • A chart in a science book shows how fast plants grow in different conditions.
  • A diagram of the water cycle helps explain evaporation and rainfall.
  • A map in a history book shows where important battles happened.
Note

When you study a text, look closely at the visual elements before and after reading. They will prepare your mind and guide your understanding.

Using visual elements while reading

To use visual elements effectively, connect them to the words in the passage. Ask questions about what they show and how they add to your knowledge.

Examples:
  • “This diagram shows the parts of the heart. How does that connect to the text?”
  • “This picture shows how people lived long ago. How does it help me picture the story?”
  • “This graph shows the weather changes. How does that support the main idea?”
Note

Good readers pay attention to both the words and the visual elements. Together, they give the full meaning of the text.