TEXTUAL AIDS charts.
These aids have two main functions, namely: first, to direct the
Textual aids refer to non-textual elements that help readers readers’ attention to important ideas in the text and second, to provide more
understand the content of the text. They also refer to elements that stand-out information as a supplement to what is already written.
from the main text such as titles and subtitles, bold, italicized and underlined Textual Aid Description
texts. Non-textual elements include illustrations, maps, tables, graphs and Provide initial idea on what the text is all about
charts. These aids have two main functions, namely: first, to direct the Represent the key concepts (title) and supporting
readers’ attention to important ideas in the text and second, to provide more Titles and
ideas (subtitles) in the paper” (Elite Editing, 2015)
information as a supplement to what is already written. Subtitles
Layering or positioning of these aids convey the
Textual Aid Description ideas’ level of importance
Provide initial idea on what the text is all about Visual representation of a subject
Represent the key concepts (title) and supporting Illustration Facilitates better retention of the information
Titles and
ideas (subtitles) in the paper” (Elite Editing, 2015) presented
Subtitles
Layering or positioning of these aids convey the Information (facts and figures) that are organized
ideas’ level of importance and arranged in columns and rows
Visual representation of a subject Tables Used to show patterns and relationships that still
Illustration Facilitates better retention of the information appeals to the readers’ verbal system, meaning tables
presented are supposed to be read like a text
Information (facts and figures) that are organized Used “when a simple table cannot adequately
and arranged in columns and rows demonstrate important relationships” of and within data
Tables Used to show patterns and relationships that still (Mind Tools Content Team, 2020)
appeals to the readers’ verbal system, meaning tables A. bar graph- uses either vertical or horizontal bars to
are supposed to be read like a text show the data it represents
Used “when a simple table cannot adequately Graphs B. line graph- used to show how numerical data have
demonstrate important relationships” of and within data changed over time and it is best used to show trends
(Mind Tools Content Team, 2020) C. pie graph- shows “how a whole is divided into
A. bar graph- uses either vertical or horizontal bars to different parts”
show the data it represents D. pictograph- “similar to bar chart but use pictures to
Graphs B. line graph- used to show how numerical data have symbolize a countable unit of items”
changed over time and it is best used to show trends Visual representations of selected characteristics of
C. pie graph- shows “how a whole is divided into a place, usually drawn on a flat surface
different parts” A. physical map - includes labels for features such as
D. pictograph- “similar to bar chart but use pictures to Maps mountain ranges and bodies of water
symbolize a countable unit of items” B. political map - usually includes labels for features
Visual representations of selected characteristics of such as cities and major towns, units such as states or
a place, usually drawn on a flat surface provinces, and bodies of water
A. physical map - includes labels for features such as A concept map is a general organizer that shows a
Maps mountain ranges and bodies of water central idea with its corresponding characteristics.
B. political map - usually includes labels for features Concept maps can take many different shapes and can
such as cities and major towns, units such as states or Concept Map
be used to show any type of relationship that can be
provinces, and bodies of water labeled. These maps are excellent for brainstorming,
A concept map is a general organizer that shows a activating prior knowledge, or generating synonyms.
central idea with its corresponding characteristics. Flow Diagram/ A flow diagram or sequence chart shows a series of
Concept maps can take many different shapes and can Sequence steps or events in the order in which they take place.
Concept Map
be used to show any type of relationship that can be Chart
labeled. These maps are excellent for brainstorming, A compare and contrast or Venn diagram is used to
activating prior knowledge, or generating synonyms. Venn Diagram identify the similarities and differences between two or
Flow Diagram/ A flow diagram or sequence chart shows a series of more concepts.
Sequence steps or events in the order in which they take place. Cause-and- A cause-and-effect diagram highlights the direct
Chart Effect Diagram relationship between different events or concepts.
A compare and contrast or Venn diagram is used to A main idea and details chart shows the hierarchical
Venn Diagram identify the similarities and differences between two or Main Idea and
relationship between major concepts and their
more concepts. Details Chart
subordinate elements.
Cause-and- A cause-and-effect diagram highlights the direct T charts allow students to study two facets of a
Effect Diagram relationship between different events or concepts. T Charts topic. For example, disadvantages and advantages,
A main idea and details chart shows the hierarchical pros and cons, differences, and similarities, etc.
Main Idea and
relationship between major concepts and their KWL chart is used for gathering information from
Details Chart
subordinate elements. student’s prior knowledge or experience. This 3-column
T charts allow students to study two facets of a KWL Chart chart captures the before (what the reader already
T Charts topic. For example, disadvantages and advantages, knows), during (what the reader wants to learn) and
pros and cons, differences, and similarities, etc. after (what the reader learned) stages of reading.
KWL chart is used for gathering information from
student’s prior knowledge or experience. This 3-column
KWL Chart chart captures the before (what the reader already
knows), during (what the reader wants to learn) and
after (what the reader learned) stages of reading.
TEXTUAL AIDS
Textual aids refer to non-textual elements that help readers
understand the content of the text. They also refer to elements that stand-out
from the main text such as titles and subtitles, bold, italicized and underlined
texts. Non-textual elements include illustrations, maps, tables, graphs and
