Text Structures

Text Structures

Authors use specific text structures when
organizing their ideas.

•“Pattern of Organization” refers to how a piece of text
is organized.
•Writers use different structures to build their ideas.
•Each structure of organization communicates ideas in
a different way.
•Help readers understand their main idea.
•Show relationships between ideas.

Different ways to organize your writing:

• Sequential/Chronological Order
• Compare and Contrast
• Cause and Effect
• Problem and Solution
• Order of Location/Spatial
• Order of Importance

Sequential/Chronological

Pattern

Description

Signal Words /
Transitions

Types of Writing

Sequential

or

Chronological Order

( Sequence or Time)

Details arranged in
numerical or
chronological order.

•First
•Second
•Third
•Soon
•Later
•Meanwhile
•Immediately
•After
•Finally

•Autobiographical and
biographical essays
•Science and history
articles or reports

Which paragraph is in chronological order?

•Pennsylvania has many historic sites. You can visit Revolutionary War sites, like Valley Forge. You can also visit important locations from the Civil War, like Gettysburg. Finally, you can also see the site of the first oil well in Titusville. Pennsylvania has many neat places to visit!

• Through the ages, Pennsylvania has seen many interesting events. The state was founded in 1681 by

William Penn. Later, Pennsylvania was the site of important Revolutionary War battles. After that, Pennsylvania was home to

new factories during the Industrial Revolution. Today, Pennsylvania continues to make history.

Poll

Which parapgraph is in chronological order?

• Paragraph 1

• Paragraph 2

Which paragraph is in chronological order?

This is the
paragraph in
chronological
order. Can you
find the clue
words that show
this order?

• Through the ages, Pennsylvania has seen many interesting events. The state was founded in 1681 by

William Penn. Later, Pennsylvania was the site of important Revolutionary War battles. After that, Pennsylvania was home to

new factories during the Industrial Revolution. Today, Pennsylvania continues to make history.

Open Ended

What is a text structure?

Another text structure

• ​Suppose an author wanted to explain how these two birds are similar and different

• Chronological order wouldn’t work---there is no order of events

• The author would need to use compare and contrast.

Compare and Contrast

Pattern

Description

Signal Words /
Transitions

Types of Writing

Compare and Contrast

Or

Similarities and

Differences

-Developing two or more subjects by showing how they are alike and how
they are different.
-Written either block form
or point by point

•Also
•In the same way
•Similarly
•Like
•But
•Although
•Otherwise
•On the other hand
•Even though

•Article
•Editorial
•Letter
•Persuasive Essay

Another text structure

The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads. Both are common at birdfeeders. But the birds have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

Compare and contrast clue words

When authors use the text
structure of compare and
contrast, they often use special clue words to show this text structure.

Can you find the clue words in
the paragraph?

Can you find the clue words?

The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads. Both are common at birdfeeders. But the birds have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

Here they are!

The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads. Both are common at birdfeeders. But the birds have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

Open Ended

Can you explain the difference between chronological order and compare and contrast?

Another text structure

• Sometimes, a writer will want to explain how one event leads to another

• This kind of text structure is called cause and effect.

Cause and Effect

Pattern

Description

Signal Words /
Transitions

Types of Writing

Cause and Effect

Writing is started with a
general statement giving
the cause of a problem
and then a number of
specific effects following.

•Because
•Cause
•Effect
•As a result
•If/then
•Therefore
•Consequently
•Since
•For this reason
•Thus

•Often based on current
events.
•Editorial
•Article
•Letter

Can you find the clue words?

The night’s snowstorm had many effects. People were out shoveling snow from their sidewalks. The power lines were draped with ice. Snow plows drove down every street. Children were the happiest of all. The unexpected snow caused school to be cancelled!

Can you find the clue words?

The night’s snowstorm had many effects. People were out shoveling snow from their sidewalks. The power lines were draped with ice. Snow plows drove down every street. Children were the happiest of all. The unexpected snow caused school to be cancelled!

More with cause and effect

Baby-painted turtles spend all winter in their nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby-painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!

More with cause and effect

Baby-painted turtles spend all winter in their nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby-painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!

​This is the cause!

More with cause and effect

Baby-painted turtles spend all winter in their nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby-painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!

​This is the effect!

Open Ended

Which text structure tells about how things are similar and different?

Open Ended

Which text structure explains how things happen in time order?

Another kind of text structure

• Sometimes, an author will want to explain a
problem, and then
show one or more
solutions.

• This kind of text structure is called
problem and solution

Problem and Solution

Pattern

Description

Signal Words /
Transitions

Types of Writing

Problem and Solution

(Closely related to Cause and Effect)

First a problem is
explained, and then one
or more solutions are
presented.

•Problem
•Solution
•If/then
•To solve the problem

•Editorial
•Article
•Letter

An example of problem and solution

Park School had a terrible problem. Every day at recess,
students would argue over the slides. Teachers had to spend time every day taking care of the
arguments. Finally, one teacher
came up with a great solution. They bought another set of slides that everyone could enjoy.

An example of problem and solution

Park School had a terrible problem. Every day at recess,
students would argue over the slides. Teachers had to spend time every day taking care of the
arguments. Finally, one teacher
came up with a great solution. They bought another set of slides that everyone could enjoy.

​Can you find the problem and the solution in this paragraph?

An example of problem and solution

Park School had a terrible problem. Every day at recess,
students would argue over the slides. Teachers had to spend time every day taking care of the
arguments. Finally, one teacher
came up with a great solution. They bought another set of slides that everyone could enjoy.

​Here's the problem!

An example of problem and solution

Park School had a terrible problem. Every day at recess,
students would argue over the slides. Teachers had to spend time every day taking care of the
arguments. Finally, one teacher
came up with a great solution. They bought another set of slides that everyone could enjoy.

​Here's the problem!

​Here's the solution!

Order of Location/Spatial

Pattern

Description

Signal Words /
Transitions

Types of Writing

Order of Location

Or

Spatial

A subject described by its
characteristics, features,
attributes, and/or
examples. Details are
arranged in the order in
which they are located.

•Above
•Among
•Around
•Below
•Beneath
•In particular
•For example
•For instance
•Such as

•Descriptions
•Observation reports
•Certain explanation
(such as giving directions)

Order of Importance

Pattern

Description

Signal Words /
Transitions

Types of Writing

Order of Importance

Details arranged from the
most important to the least or
from the least important to
the most, preferably least to
most.

•Also
•As well
•Another
•Along with
•Additionally
•In Addition
•Next
•Finally

•Persuasive essay
•Editorial
•Persuasive letter
•Review
•Article

​(Your audience will

remember your last

argument. So leave them with

the strongest/most important

one to think about.)

To determine the correct overall pattern of organization, you must:

• Focus on the supporting details
• Identify the main idea(detail + detail + detail = main idea)
• Think about the author's purpose
• Learn the transitional phrases/signal words associated with each pattern

Let’s practice identifying
the correct organization pattern.

Example #1

1. Identify the topic.

2. State the main idea.

3. Identify the major details.

Practice identifying the correct organization pattern.

EXAMPLE #1

Among the many reasons why the American colonists sought
independence from Britain are the series of acts that Great Britain
enforced upon the colonists. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 restricted the
westward settlement of territory in the Colonies, and the Currency Act of
1764 prohibited the use of paper money. From 1754 to 1763, the British
fought the French in the French and Indian War, an expensive war that left
them deeply in debt. To replenish their deficit, the British government
turned to the Colonies as a source of revenue. They enacted the Sugar Act
of 1764 as a way to restructure the collection of duties on sugar and
molasses. They also enforced the Quartering Act of 1765, which obliged
Colonists to provide housing and supplies to British troops in America.

Open Ended

What is the topic?

Among the many reasons why the American colonists sought
independence from Britain are the series of acts that Great Britain
enforced upon the colonists. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 restricted the
westward settlement of territory in the Colonies, and the Currency Act of
1764 prohibited the use of paper money. From 1754 to 1763, the British
fought the French in the French and Indian War, an expensive war that left
them deeply in debt. To replenish their deficit, the British government
turned to the Colonies as a source of revenue. They enacted the Sugar Act
of 1764 as a way to restructure the collection of duties on sugar and
molasses. They also enforced the Quartering Act of 1765, which obliged
Colonists to provide housing and supplies to British troops in America.

Open Ended

State the main idea.

Among the many reasons why the American colonists sought
independence from Britain are the series of acts that Great Britain
enforced upon the colonists. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 restricted the
westward settlement of territory in the Colonies, and the Currency Act of
1764 prohibited the use of paper money. From 1754 to 1763, the British
fought the French in the French and Indian War, an expensive war that left
them deeply in debt. To replenish their deficit, the British government
turned to the Colonies as a source of revenue. They enacted the Sugar Act
of 1764 as a way to restructure the collection of duties on sugar and
molasses. They also enforced the Quartering Act of 1765, which obliged
Colonists to provide housing and supplies to British troops in America.

Open Ended

Identify the major details.

Among the many reasons why the American colonists sought
independence from Britain are the series of acts that Great Britain
enforced upon the colonists. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 restricted the
westward settlement of territory in the Colonies, and the Currency Act of
1764 prohibited the use of paper money. From 1754 to 1763, the British
fought the French in the French and Indian War, an expensive war that left
them deeply in debt. To replenish their deficit, the British government
turned to the Colonies as a source of revenue. They enacted the Sugar Act
of 1764 as a way to restructure the collection of duties on sugar and
molasses. They also enforced the Quartering Act of 1765, which obliged
Colonists to provide housing and supplies to British troops in America.

Answers to Example #1

1.  Always begin by identifying the topic.  (British Acts on the Colonies)

 

2.  State the main idea.  Among the many reasons why the American colonists sought independence from Britain was the series of acts that Great Britain enforced upon the colonists.

 

3.  Identify the major details.

Each of the acts described is a major detail. 

Multiple Choice

What is the text structure?

• they are showing a comparison and contrast of ideas

• they are showing a cause-effect relationship

• they are stating a problem and showing a solution

• they are in chronological order

Example #2

1. Identify the topic.

2. State the main idea.

3. Identify the major details.

Example 2

Children in our public school systems are failing at an alarming rate. Educators have spent a considerable amount of time and money trying to discover the causes of their lack of success and determining what will be needed to remediate this problem. Due to the increase in single-parent families, the family structure in America has changed. Parents who work full time have less time to spend with their children on reviewing homework and supervising their studies. Children today have schedules that are as jam-packed as adults had a generation ago. Besides school, many are involved in sports, youth groups, and social clubs. Another factor is that families today are much more transient than in past generations. Moving from place to place has become the norm rather than the exception, and consequently, children's education is disrupted and fragmented. Finally, students and parents do not view educational study as important as it was in previous generations.

Open Ended

What is the topic?

Children in our public school systems are failing at an alarming rate. Educators have spent a considerable amount of time and money trying to discover the causes of their lack of success and determining what will be needed to remediate this problem. Due to the increase in single-parent families, the family structure in America has changed. Parents who work full time have less time to spend with their children on reviewing homework and supervising their studies. Children today have schedules that are as jam-packed as adults had a generation ago. Besides school, many are involved in sports, youth groups, and social clubs. Another factor is that families today are much more transient than in past generations. Moving from place to place has become the norm rather than the exception, and consequently, children's education is disrupted and fragmented. Finally, students and parents do not view educational study as important as it was in previous generations.

Open Ended

What is the main idea?

Children in our public school systems are failing at an alarming rate. Educators have spent a considerable amount of time and money trying to discover the causes of their lack of success and determining what will be needed to remediate this problem. Due to the increase in single-parent families, the family structure in America has changed. Parents who work full time have less time to spend with their children on reviewing homework and supervising their studies. Children today have schedules that are as jam-packed as adults had a generation ago. Besides school, many are involved in sports, youth groups, and social clubs. Another factor is that families today are much more transient than in past generations. Moving from place to place has become the norm rather than the exception, and consequently, children's education is disrupted and fragmented. Finally, students and parents do not view educational study as important as it was in previous generations.

Open Ended

What are the major details?

Children in our public school systems are failing at an alarming rate. Educators have spent a considerable amount of time and money trying to discover the causes of their lack of success and determining what will be needed to remediate this problem. Due to the increase in single-parent families, the family structure in America has changed. Parents who work full time have less time to spend with their children on reviewing homework and supervising their studies. Children today have schedules that are as jam-packed as adults had a generation ago. Besides school, many are involved in sports, youth groups, and social clubs. Another factor is that families today are much more transient than in past generations. Moving from place to place has become the norm rather than the exception, and consequently, children's education is disrupted and fragmented. Finally, students and parents do not view educational study as important as it was in previous generations.

Answers to Example #2

1.  What is the topic?  (Children failing in school.)

 

2.  What is the main idea? (Children in our schools are failing at an alarming rate.)

 

3.  What are the major details? (The author lists the reasons why children are failing.)

Multiple Choice

What is the text structure?

• chronological order

• compare and contrast

• cause and effect

• a simple listing

Example #3

1. Identify the topic.

2. State the main idea.

3. Identify the major details.

Example #3

            The mechanical processes of the human brain are dictated by the most posterior parts of the brain.  The hindmost part is the medulla, which specializes in the basic controls of breathing, heartbeat, and digestion.  Located above the medulla and toward the back of the head is the cerebellum.  It controls functions such as coordination, equilibrium, and balance. The Pons, a part of the brainstem just above the medulla, acts as a connection between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex.   The frontal lobes of the brain are located in the front of the brain, and is the center for precise voluntary movement and the use of language.  At the side of the brain, the temporal lobe processes visual information and auditory reception. 

Open Ended

What is the topic?

            The mechanical processes of the human brain are dictated by the most posterior parts of the brain.  The hindmost part is the medulla, which specializes in the basic controls of breathing, heartbeat, and digestion.  Located above the medulla and toward the back of the head is the cerebellum.  It controls functions such as coordination, equilibrium, and balance. The Pons, a part of the brainstem just above the medulla, acts as a connection between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex.   The frontal lobes of the brain are located in the front of the brain, and is the center for precise voluntary movement and the use of language.  At the side of the brain, the temporal lobe processes visual information and auditory reception. 

Open Ended

What is the main idea?

            The mechanical processes of the human brain are dictated by the most posterior parts of the brain.  The hindmost part is the medulla, which specializes in the basic controls of breathing, heartbeat, and digestion.  Located above the medulla and toward the back of the head is the cerebellum.  It controls functions such as coordination, equilibrium, and balance. The Pons, a part of the brainstem just above the medulla, acts as a connection between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex.   The frontal lobes of the brain are located in the front of the brain, and is the center for precise voluntary movement and the use of language.  At the side of the brain, the temporal lobe processes visual information and auditory reception. 

Open Ended

Identify the major details.

            The mechanical processes of the human brain are dictated by the most posterior parts of the brain.  The hindmost part is the medulla, which specializes in the basic controls of breathing, heartbeat, and digestion.  Located above the medulla and toward the back of the head is the cerebellum.  It controls functions such as coordination, equilibrium, and balance. The Pons, a part of the brainstem just above the medulla, acts as a connection between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex.   The frontal lobes of the brain are located in the front of the brain, and is the center for precise voluntary movement and the use of language.  At the side of the brain, the temporal lobe processes visual information and auditory reception. 

Answers to Example #3

1.  What is the topic? (The human brain) 

 

2.  What is the main idea?  (The brain has many various parts, and each part has a different function.)

 

3.  What are the major details? (The various parts of the brain and their functions.)

 

Multiple Choice

What's the text structure?

• a statement followed by an explanation (statement and Clarification)

• Spatial Order

• Cause and Effect

• Compare and Contrast