Which instructional focus is most crucial for supporting students' use of informational texts for personal research?

The most crucial instructional focus for supporting students' use of informational texts for personal research is centered around using text features to locate specific information in a text. Informational texts often include various elements such as headings, subheadings, indexes, glossaries, charts, graphs, and sidebars, which serve as important navigational tools. Teaching students how to utilize these text features equips them with the necessary skills to quickly locate relevant information, making their research process more efficient and effective.

When students become proficient in using these features, they can navigate through complex texts, discern which sections contain the information they need, and synthesize information from multiple sources. This skill is especially essential for personal research, as it empowers students to engage more deeply with the material, find answers to their questions, and develop a clearer understanding of the topics they are investigating. While understanding the main idea and other elements of the text have their importance, the ability to effectively use text features is foundational for successful research using informational literature.