Chronological Order in Informational Text

Informational Text Structure

by Mrs. Chris Cahill

​Informational Text Structures

​Looking at how an author organizes information in a text

• ​Problem and Solution - the author describes a problem and how it was solved

• ​Compare and Contrast - the author explains how something is similar to and different from something or someone else

• ​Sequence - also called time order or chronology - authors tell about events in the order that they happened (chronological order)​

• ​Cause and Effect - the author explains something that happened (effect) and the reasons why (cause)

• ​Description - an author tells about a topic and its characteristics

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 compare and contrast 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

In a text with a problem and solution 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.

How will I know which text structure is being used?​

Here are some signal or cue words you might find in the text for each text structure...

• ​Problem and Solution - problem, issue, solution, question, answer, since, result, so, leads to

• ​Compare and Contrast - similar, same, alike, in contrast, unlike, both, on the other hand, however

• ​Sequence - first, next, then, before, during, after, meanwhile, finally, at the same time

• ​Cause and Effect - because, so, since, due to, therefore, as a result of, if...then

  ​Description - for example, such as, looks like, for instance, many, some, including, most

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

Now let's try to put what we have learned into practice...

Multiple Choice

Which text structure is this?

John decided to play GTA all night instead of study for his vocabulary test. As a result, John failed his test.

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence

Multiple Choice

Which text structure are the books in the "Who Would Win" series?

EXAMPLE:

Who Would Win?

Lion vs. Tiger

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence

Multiple Choice

Which text structure would explain the steps in the writing process?

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence

Multiple Choice

Which text structure is this?

Frank was doing poorly in ELA and failing almost every vocabulary test. When he spoke with Henry, he told him that he should start studying for these tests on Monday and then continue throughout the week. Henry suggested reviewing his words using the vocab chart, Quizlet, Wonders, and Kahoot! to prepare each week. Frank followed his advice and aced his next test. 

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence

Multiple Choice

Which text structure might tell you everything you ever wanted to know about volcanoes?

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Sequence

​Informational Text Structures

​Looking at how an author organizes information in a text

• ​Problem and Solution - the author describes a problem and how it was solved

• ​Compare and Contrast - the author explains how something is similar to and different from something or someone else

• ​Sequence - also called time order or chronology - authors tell about events in the order that they happened (chronological order)​

• ​Cause and Effect - the author explains something that happened (effect) and the reasons why (cause)

• ​Description - an author tells about a topic and its characteristics