Reading Nonfiction Aloud Clearly

Headings, numbers, and facts need a clear, steady voice.

Reading an article aloud is different from reading a story. Instead of character voices, you need a clear, steady, interested voice that helps listeners follow facts. Read headings as small announcements, then pause before the paragraph begins. Slow down for numbers, dates, and new terms so listeners can catch them. Read captions and labels when they add information. For example: 'Desert Animals.

The fennec fox has ears up to 15 centimeters long. Its large ears release heat and help it hear prey under the sand. ' Read 'Desert Animals' as a title, pause, then read the facts steadily, giving a little stress to '15 centimeters' and the two jobs the ears do. If a science word is new, like 'nocturnal', say it carefully once you've practiced it.

• 1Use a clear, steady voice for facts.
• 2Read headings like announcements, then pause.
• 3Slow down for numbers, dates, and new terms.