Structure & Perspective

Structure & Perspective

RI/L 10.5 & RI/L 10.6

• Name & define 6 structural choices authors make when organizing their writing

• ​Analyze an author's word choice for its effect on the message, mood, and tone.

• ​Analyze an author's word choice to reveal their perspective on a topic, issue or idea.

​You will be able to....

Understanding Text Structure...

• ...can help you better understand what you are reading.

• ...can help you organize the information from a text.

• ...can help you write about what you read.

Text Structure:

• Authors of informational texts arrange and connect events and ideas in their writing.

​

• Sometimes two or more text structures are present in one text, although one usually dominates. 

​

​6 Common Types of Structures:

narrative, chronological/sequence, description, compare/contrast, cause/effect, and problem/solution

Chronological or Sequential

• Authors present information about events or steps in a process, in the order in which they take or have taken place.

• Look for words that indicate time order.

• The use of dates and words such as then and finally indicate a sequential text structure. 

• Ask yourself: What events are listed and discussed?  Do the events have to happen in this precise order? 

Multiple Choice

Sequential text structure:

• gives a problem and then a solution to the problem

• presents events in the order the took place

Multiple Select

Things that signal sequential order are:

(Select all that apply)

• words like then and finally

• paragraphs

• dates

• effect

Problem and Solution:

• A writer presents a problem or a series of problems, and offers solutions on how to solve them.

• Ask yourself: Does this part of the text revolve around a problem that must be solved? 

• 
  

Multiple Choice

To help identify problem and solution text structure, ask yourself:

• Do the events have to happen in this precise order?

• How many paragraphs are there?

• Does the text revolve around a problem that must be solved?

Cause and Effect:

• Authors who specialize in history or science topics often use this structure to explain how or why something happened.

• Words and phrases such as therefore, because, and for this reason point to a cause-and-effect structure. 

Multiple Select

Cause and effect text structure will:

(Choose two)

• explain reasons why something happened

• explain the effects of something

• solve a problem

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.

• Ask yourself: Are two or more things being compared? 

Multiple Select

Comparison and contrast structure will tell you:

(Choose two)

• how things are the same

• why something happened

• an important date

• how things are different

Multiple Choice

Choose the clue words that indicate compare and contrast

• therefore, cause, effect, consequently

• later, then, next, Monday

• similar, different, common, on the other hand

• possibility, struggle, hope, problem

  HIDE ANSWER

Multiple Choice

Choose the clue words that indicate cause and effect.

• next, after, then, first, last

• struggle, promise, problem, solution

• consequently, as a result of, so, therefore

• similar, common, compare, contrast

  HIDE ANSWER

Multiple Choice

Choose the clue words that indicate problem and solution.

• first, last, next, after

• cause, as a result of, consequently

• compare, similar, both, alike

• threat, difficulty, possibility, hope

Multiple Choice

A fuel cell is a kind of battery. It makes electricity. One side of the cell is filled with hydrogen. The other is filled with oxygen that comes from the air. The hydrogen separates into electrons and protons. The electrons supply the power for the motor. The protons mix with the oxygen to make water. The water passes out of the cell.

• problem /solution

• cause and effect

• description

• compare and contrast

Multiple Choice

The dodo bird used to roam in large flocks across America. Interestingly, the dodo wasn’t startled by gun shot. Because of this, frontiersmen would kill entire flocks in one sitting. Unable to sustain these attacks, the dodo was hunted to extinction.

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Sequence

• Compare and Contrast

Multiple Choice

This morning was crazy. My alarm clock was set for PM instead of AM, so I woke up really late. I just threw on some clothes and ran out the door. I rode my bike as fast as I could and thought that I was going to be late for sure, but when I got there everyone was outside and there were firetrucks all lined up in front of school. I guess somebody pulled the fire alarm before class started. It worked out though, because nobody really noticed or minded that I was tardy.

• Chronological/sequence

• Cause and Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Compare and Contrast

  SHOW ANSWER

​When you analyze a text for how it's structured, you are also holding a place in your mind to organize, remember, and understand what you read.

Open Ended

Describe how knowing text structures can 1- help you understand what you read and also 2- help you improve your writing.

To figure out an author's purpose, ask yourself:

• what message do they want to share with the audience?

• why did they use the words/phrases they did?

Remember, point of view isn't just who is telling the story, it can also mean

• the narrator's position in relation to a story being told.

Let's take a look at Sober by Demi Lovato!

Sober Lyrics

I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know why

I do it every, every, every time

It's only when I'm lonely

Sometimes I just wanna cave and I don't wanna fight

I try and I try and I try and I try and I try

Just hold me, I'm lonely

Momma, I'm so sorry, I'm not sober anymore

And daddy, please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor

To the ones who never left me, we've been down this road before

I'm so sorry, I'm not sober anymore

Multiple Choice

What kind of rhetoric strategy does she use in her song?

• ethos

• logos

• pathos

What words/phrases signify pathos?

I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know why

I do it every, every, every time

It's only when I'm lonely

Sometimes I just wanna cave and I don't wanna fight

I try and I try and I try and I try and I try

Just hold me, I'm lonely

Momma, I'm so sorry, I'm not sober anymore

And daddy, please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor

To the ones who never left me, we've been down this road before

I'm so sorry, I'm not sober anymore

Multiple Choice

Which word describing size has the most negative connotation?

• skinny

• slim

• slender

• trim

Multiple Choice

Which word, used to describe someone's appearance, has the most positive connotation?

• pleasant

• gorgeous

• cute

• attractive

Multiple Select

Students with unique talents or documented learning differences will be exempted.

Which words could replace unique to imply a negative connotation?

• special

• remarkable

• peculiar

• weird

• rare

Multiple Select

The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares.

Which words could best replace crying to create a more positive connotation?

• bellowing

• announcing

• screaming

• shrieking

• declaring

Multiple Select

Which words from the Eleanor Roosevelt piece have a positive connotation?

• successful

• champion

• privileged

• productive

• activist

Multiple Choice

The majority of the words in this piece about Eleanor Roosevelt are primarily....?

• positive connotation

• negative connotation

Multiple Choice

The author of this piece on Eleanor Roosevelt is biased toward her in which way?

• favorable

• unfavorable

Multiple Choice

Based upon your analysis of the article, what is the author's perspective toward Eleanor Roosevelt?

• He/she believes that Eleanor Roosevelt lived a busy life.

• He/she believes that Eleanor Roosevelt's life is an inspiration to us all.

• He/she believes that Eleanor Roosevelt was a great help to her husband.

• He/she believes that Eleanor Roosevelt can be a model for all First Ladies.