Text Structure Review

Analyzing the structure of an informational text helps

1. the reader understand how facts and details are related,
2. improves comprehension, and
3. helps the reader determine the central idea.

Why does this matter?

Skilled readers will pay attention to how one section of text builds on and connects to other sections by doing the following:

• chunk the article by using subheadings

• determine the purpose of each section

• ask how the sections connect

• ask how sections build on each other

#1 Description

Texts that use this structure simply describe characteristics of something.

A text using this structure might also:

Tell you why something is being described

Tell you why the described topic is important

Provide examples of the described topic(s)

Key words include: In fact, another, for example, such as, in addition,

#2 Sequence (step by step order) & Chronological (Time Order)

This text structure covers a few purposes:

1- Sequential instructions-- like a recipe; step by step order

2- Chronological events-- like a time line; time order

3- Arguments that use evidence to support a claim

Key words include: First, next, then, last, not long after, before, during, then, finally, overall

#3 Compare and Contrast

This text structure involves a comparison involving multiple things, revealing how they are similar and/or how they are different.

Sometimes authors might only be looking at similarities or at differences.

Key words include: likewise, unlike, similarly, just as, however, alike, both, different, in contrast, on the other hand

#4- Problem and Solution

This text structure involves two parts:

1- The author identifies a problem

2- The author details a one or more solutions to this problem

Key words include: issue, cause, since, therefore, leads to, problem, solution, as a result of, solve, the answer is

#5 Cause and Effect

Describes an event or events (cause) and the events (effects) that follow as a result.

Key words include: cause, led to, because, accordingly, as a result, consequently, so then

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct text structure: "Her mother gave Margaret her first camera in 1921, when she was 17 years old. In 1929, Henry Luce invited Margaret to work at Fortune Magazine. She jumped at the chance and became the first woman in a new field called photojournalism. In 1930, she was the first photographer from a Western country to be allowed into the Soviet Union (now Russia). When World War II broke out in 1939, Margaret became the first female war correspondent. This is a journalist who covers stories first hand from a war zone. In 1941, she traveled to the Soviet Union again and was the only foreign photographer in Moscow when German forces invaded."

• Chronological Order

• Compare and Contrast

• Descriptive

• Problem and Solution

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct text structure: "​Both Jackie Robinson and Margaret Bourke-White were motivated by the challenge of fitting in. Robinson was the first African American in the major leagues. Bourke-White was the first woman photojournalist. Both convinced critics that they belonged by using their skills and abilities. Like Donna O’Meara, Bourke-White also derived motivation from a sense of adventure.Powers and Bourke-White were also motivated by the advice and support they received. Powers was able to succeed in part because of the lesson Petzoldt taught him. Bourke-White was able to succeed in part because Henry Luce believed in her. Bourke-White appears to have dreamed of adventure from childhood. O’Meara, on the other hand, developed her passion for dangerous volcanoes later in life."

• Chronological Order

• Compare and Contrast

• Descriptive

• Problem and Solution

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct text structure: "​ first, several people at the company wondered if a woman could stand up to the intense heat and generally dirty and gritty conditions inside a steel mill. When Margaret finally got permission, the technical problems began. Black-and-white film at that time was sensitive to blue light, not the reds and oranges of hot steel. The pictures came out all black. Margaret solved this problem by bringing along a new style of flare (which produces white light) and having assistants hold them to light her scenes. Her abilities resulted in some of the best steel factory pictures of that era, and these earned her national attention."

• Chronological Order

• Cause and Effect

• Descriptive

• Problem and Solution

Multiple Choice

Read the passage: Avalanches (when a lot of snow falls from a mountain) may bury people under them. If the people are not found rapidly enough by rescue teams they will die of suffocation (not getting enough air) or of hypothermia (freezing cold). The chance of surviving an avalanche is as follows: • 92% if found within 15 minutes • 30% if found within 35 minutes (victims die of suffocation) • nearly zero after two hours (victims die of injuries and hypothermia)

• Description

• Sequence

• Problem and Solution

• Compare and Contrast

• Cause and Effect

Multiple Choice

Students who are frequently absent often have lower average grades than those who have good attendance. When they are out of the classroom, students do not get to see a teacher’s lessons. Even if they attend extra help, it’s usually much shorter and less detailed than the actual lesson. In addition, frequently absent students often miss tests or other assignments and don’t always make up the work.

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Cause and Effect

• Problem and Solution

• Sequence/Order

Multiple Choice

Moths and butterflies often look similar. Both have large wings and long, thin bodies, and both start their lives as caterpillars. However, butterflies usually have brighter colors on their wings than moths. Also, butterflies are most active during the day, while moths are generally creatures of the night.

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Cause and Effect

• Problem and Solution

• Sequence/Order

Match

Match each text structure with its definition

• Description

• Chronological

• Compare & Contrast

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

Tells about a topic and its characteristics

Tell about events in the order that they happened

Explains how something is similar to and different from something or someone else

​Explains something that happened and the reasons why

Describes a problem and how it was solved

• Tells about a topic and its characteristics

• Tell about events in the order that they happened

• Explains how something is similar to and different from something or someone else

• ​Explains something that happened and the reasons why

• Describes a problem and how it was solved

Match

Match each text structure with its signal phrases:

• Description

• Chronological

• Cause & Effect

• Compare & Contrast

• Problem & Solution

for instance, for example, such as

first, then, finally

because, as a result, therefore

same, different, however, alike

issue, answer, question

• for instance, for example, such as

• first, then, finally

• because, as a result, therefore

• same, different, however, alike

• issue, answer, question

Multiple Choice

The Vancouver Island marmot is a kind of large rodent that lives high in the mountains of Vancouver Island in Canada. Climate change and logging have caused a large decrease in their population. Scientists believe that there are less than a hundred left of them in the wild.

• Compare & Contrast

• Cause & Effect

• Description

• Chronological

Multiple Choice

I do my chores each Saturday. First, I fold the laundry and put it away. Then I sweep and mop the kitchen floor. After that, I empty all the garbage cans and the recycling. Finally, when all of my chores are finished, I can go outside to play.

• Compare & Contrast

• Problem & Solution

• Description

• Chronological

Multiple Choice

Spending too much time in the sun can lead to sunburn, dehydration, and even skin cancer. One way to help prevent these problems is to make sure that you wear sunscreen whenever you are outside. It is also a good idea to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day, between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

• Compare & Contrast

• Chronological

• Description

• Problem & Solution

Multiple Choice

The Space Needle was built in 1962 in Seattle, Washington for the World's Fair. It is 607 feet tall from the ground to the aircraft warning beacon at the very top. Visitors can ride an elevator to the observation deck at 520 feet. They can also dine in a revolving restaurant near the top of the needle.

• Compare & Contrast

• Chronological

• Description

• Problem & Solution

Multiple Choice

Malaria is a serious problem in many developing countries. Thousand of people get sick with Malaria every year. Because Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, one way to help solve the problem is for people to use mosquito nets over their beds. If the mosquitoes cannot get to the people, they cannot infect them!

• Compare & Contrast

• Cause & Effect

• Description

• Problem & Solution

Multiple Choice

Beagles are medium-sized members of the hound family. Beagles generally make good pets because they are intelligent, good-natured, and good with children. Beagles are also quite playful and need a great deal of exercise.

• Cause & Effect

• Chronological

• Description

• Problem & Solution

Multiple Choice

Today more people are connected to the internet than ever before, not only at home, but also on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Many of these people now get their news from the internet rather than reading newspapers. As a consequence, many newspapers have gone out of business.

• Cause & Effect

• Chronological

• Description

• Problem & Solution

Multiple Choice

In a text with a sequence text structure, the author 

• describes a topic and its characteristics.

• tells about events in the order they happened.

• explains how things are similar and different.

• describes a problem and then explains how someone solved it.

Multiple Choice

In a text with a cause and effect text structure, the author 

• describes a topic and its characteristics.

• tells about events in the order they happened.

• describes a problem and then explains how someone solved it.

• explains something that happened and the reasons why.

Multiple Choice

In a text with a description text structure, the author 

• describes a topic and its characteristics.

• tells about events in the order they happened.

• describes a problem and then explains how someone solved it.

• explains something that happened and the reasons why.

Multiple Choice

Which text structure might use words and phrases like: because, so, since, due to, as a result of?

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence

Multiple Choice

Which text structure might use words and phrases like: meanwhile, at the same time, before, during, after?

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence

Multiple Choice

Which text structure might use words and phrases like: problem, issue, solution, question?

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence

Multiple Choice

Which text structure might use words and phrases like: similar, same, alike, both, in contrast?

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence

Multiple Choice

Which text structure might use words and phrases like: for instance, for example, such as, looks like?

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence