Text Structure

Text Structure

Authors arrange and connect events and ideas in informational writing. Sometimes, two or more text structures might be present in one text, although one structure usually dominates. 

Types of Informational Text Structure

• Sequential: Authors present information about events or steps in a process, in the order in which they take or have taken place. Look for these transition word clues: first, next, then, finally, before, not long after, soon, meanwhile 

• Cause and effect: Authors who specialize in history or science topics often use this structure to explain how or why something happened. The writer uses one or two events to show cause and effect. Look for these transition word clues: cause, effect, because, since, as a result, so, if ...then 

• Problem and Solution: A writer presents a problem or a series of problems, and offers solutions on how to solve them. Look for these transition word clues: problem, solution, the question is, one answer is 

• Comparison and Contrast: Authors use this structure to present information about things that are different but have something in common, such as two points of view on a subject. Look for these transition word clues: alike, in the same way to compare; unlike, but, yet to contrast 

Multiple Select

An informational text may include

• only one text structure

• several text structures

Multiple Select

Meanwhile, workers on the eighth floor rang furiously for the two passenger elevators. Safety experts have always advised against using elevators in a fire. Heat can easily damage their machinery, leaving trapped passengers dangling in space, to burn or suffocate. Despite the danger, the operators made several trips, saving scores of workers before heat bent the elevators’ tracks and put them out of action.

Which of the following correctly identify the cause and effects in the above passage? Mark all that apply.

• Shows cause and effect of why people should not use an elevator in a fire

• Shows cause and effect of the actions of the elevator operators.

• Shows the effect of fire on elevators.

• Shows how safety experts could have predicted the outcome of the fire.

Multiple Select

There were no lights in the stairway, so they had to grope their way in darkness.

Identify the transition word that signifies a cause and effect in the sentence above.

• There

• so

• way

• darkness

Multiple Choice

Which of the following text types describes events in the order in which they take place?

• cause and effect

• problem and solution

• compare and contrast

• sequential

Multiple Choice

Which of the following text types describes how things are similar and different?

• cause and effect

• problem and solution

• compare and contrast

• sequential

Multiple Choice

Which of the following text types describes the relationship between something that happens and why it happens?

• cause and effect

• problem and solution

• compare and contrast

• sequential

Multiple Choice

Which of the following text types presents a problem or a series of problems, and offers solutions on how to solve them?

• cause and effect

• problem and solution

• compare and contrast

• sequential