Text Structures Day 3

●

I can identify and explain different text structures used in
informational text.

●

I can describe how events, ideas, concepts, or information are
structured in a text.

Text Structures

Authors organize non-fiction text

5 different ways

Description

Chronological Order/Sequence

Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution

Compare and Contrast

Sometimes authors will organize a text by describing all about one topic or idea.

-Another example...

-Some characteristics are...

Description

Ask yourself, “Is this telling me all about something?”

Clue Words:

-One example...

-Is like

1

Idea/Topic

Key Detail

Key Detail

Key Detail

Key Detail

Key Detail

Sharks do not

have bones.

A shark’s skin

feels like

sandpaper.

Sharks
are fish.

Most sharks are

carnivores.

All about sharks.

Cause(s)

Effect(s)

The girl went to school and studied a lot.

Because of this, she graduated from college.

Cause and Effect

Sometimes authors will organize a text by describing the effect or outcome of
something and explain the causes or reasons for the effect.

Cause(s)

Effect(s)

Ask yourself, “Is this explaining what and why something happened?”

Clue Words:

-Due to...

-Because of...

-Since...

-This caused...

-For this reason...

-solution

-solve

Problem and Solution

Sometimes authors will organize a text by describing a problem or problems and ways
to solve it.

Ask yourself, “Is this all about a problem? Does it tell how to fix it?”

Clue Words:

-problem

-struggle

-fix

-challenge

Mrs. Gavlin has a problem. She spilled her ice cream. She will fix this by cleaning up her mess.

Problem
Solution

-Help

-If… then….

Sometimes authors will organize a text by describing the steps or order of how
something is done.

-later

-after

Chronological Order/Sequence

Ask yourself, “Is this listing the steps to do something?”

Clue Words:

-first

-next

-Finally

-lastly

To make a pizza, first roll the dough. Then, prepare all of the toppings you want. Last, bake the pizza and eat it!

1.

2.

3.

4.

Sometimes authors will organize a text by describing how two or more things are alike
and different.

-however

-same as

Compare and Contrast

Ask yourself, “Is this explaining how two or more things are the same and different?”

Clue Words:

-like

-unlike

-similarly

-both

Tigers and lions are both felines. However, tigers tend to live alone and lions live in groups called prides.

Lions live in

prides.

Tigers live

alone.

Felines

Let’s Practice

Multiple Choice

What is text structure?

• A building made out of books

• The way authors of non-fiction text organize their writing so that it is helpful to readers.

• The way authors of fiction text organize their writing so that it is helpful to readers.

• The way authors of non-fiction and fiction text organize their writing so that it is helpful to readers.

Multiple Choice

This text structure provides details or characteristics of a topic. 

• Chronological

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Sequence

Multiple Choice

Drake's new album "More Life" came out. You wanted to write about how it is similar and different from his Album "Views". Which text structure would you use to write this?

• Sequence

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

Multiple Choice

This type of writing considers similarities and differences.

• description

• compare & contrast

• order & sequence

• cause & effect

Multiple Choice

In this type of writing, the reader will see words/phrases such as because, as a result of, and due to.

• cause & effect

• problem & solution

• order & sequence

• compare & contrast

Multiple Choice

Every morning, I wake up at about 7:00 AM. The first thing I do is make my bed and pick out the clothes I’m going to wear. Then, I brush my teeth and take a shower. After my shower, I dry my hair and get dressed.

• description

• compare & contrast

• order & sequence

• problem & solution

Multiple Choice

Which type of text structure describes an issue and at least one way to solve it?

• Chronological

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Compare & Contrast

Multiple Choice

Sam lost his lunch money. Due to this, Fred shared his sandwich with Sam? This text structure is...

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Description

• Compare & Contrast

Multiple Choice

A teacher wants you to explain the similarities and differences of air pollution and water pollution. You would use what text structure?

• Compare & Contrast

• Description

• Order & Sequence

• Cause & Effect

Multiple Choice

As a result of losing its leg, a starfish grows a new one: this is an example of what text structure?

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Description

• Compare & Contrast

Multiple Choice

The following words are signals for what type of text structure: due to, since, as a result, because of, and for this reason?

• Compare & Contrast

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

Multiple Choice

What text structure organizes something in the order in which it happened?

• Cause and Effect

• Problem and Solution

• Order and Sequence

• Description

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and select the correct text structure:

The first chocolate drink was believed to first been created by the Aztecs 2,000 years ago. After that, it was brought from Mexico to Europe. Later, hot chocolate was used to treat some diseases. Today, hot cocoa is enjoyed around the world and in the US.

• description

• compare and contrast

• chronological order

• problem and solution

• cause and effect

Multiple Choice

Why do authors use cause and effect?

• to explain how things happen in order

• to explain how 2 things are similar or different

• to explain how one event leads to another

• to explain a problem, and then show one or more solutions

• to describe a location idea or event