8th Grade Text Organization

Which type of text structure is based on time and uses years, dates, etc. 

• Chronological Order
• Cause & Effect
• Problem & Solution
• Compare/Contrast

Several students receive poor grades on writing assignments, not because they lack the ability to communicate, but because they can not seem to manage their time when it comes to a large project. They do not know where to begin, and therefore put things off until the last minute. To solve this problem, students need to develop a timeline for completing the project. If they divide the assignment into manageable “chunks” or parts and then set a schedule for completing each part, they will be able to finish the entire project before the deadline. Without the pressure of not knowing where to begin, the students will be able to focus on the assignment and communicate their ideas effectively.

• description
• chronological order
• compare and contrast
• problem and solution

Because toys have become electronic devices, some children today are unable to entertain themselves. Gone are the days when children invented their own adventures and used sticks as swords. cookie sheets as armor, and refrigerator box as a fortress to defend. The electronic age has delivered children all sorts of gadgets and gizmos that are supposed to be realistic. However, one possible effect might be that children are lacking imagination because they don't have the opportunity to be creative outside of their devices. 

• description
• cause and effect
• chronological
• problem and solution

It seemed like an ordinary day when she got up that morning, but Lynda was about to embark on the worst day of her life. First, she fell in the bathtub because her mother forgot to rinse out the bath oil. Then she spilled orange juice on the outfit she had spent hours putting together for school pictures. When she changed, she messed up the French braid her mother had put in her hair. As she walked out the door, she dropped all of her school books and her math homework flew away. Once she made it to the car she thought everything would be all right. She was wrong; her father didn't look before he backed out of the driveway and ran into the neighbor’s truck. Lynda’s side of the car was damaged the most, and she ended up with a broken arm. Finally, that night, she cried herself to sleep.

• description
• cause and effect
• Sequence
• problem and solution

2. Frogs and toads can live in the water and on the land. They both catch food with long, sticky tongues. They also eat insects and small animals. On the other hand, they differ in many ways. You can tell them apart by their bodies. Frogs have long, strong back legs and thin, moist skin. Toads have shorter back legs and drier skin. 

• problem and solution
• compare and contrast
• cause and effect
• description

Exercising is very important. It is good for your body. It makes your heart, muscles, and bones strong. It makes you feel better if you have a bad day. If you exercise, you will stay at a healthy weight. Make sure to exercise everyday. 

• Chronological Order
• description
• problem and solution
• sequence

Chimpanzees and humans are alike in many ways. A baby chimp laughs when its mother tickles it. After chimpanzees fight, they kiss and make up. When one chimpanzee comforts another, it gives it a hug or pat on the back. There are, of course, many ways that chimpanzees and humans are different. Chimpanzees are smaller and stronger than humans. An adult male chimpanzee stands three or four feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. But a chimpanzee can lift more weight than a man who is six feet tall.

• Compare/Contrast
• Sequence
• Problem/Solution
• Cause/Effect

Wouldn't you like a scary dinosaur model on your desk to protect your pencils and textbooks?  You can easily make one by following these simple directions.  First, bend the clay to make the frame of your dinosaur.  I suggest you create a tyrannosaurus frame by using one long pipe cleaner as his neck, spine, and tail, and then bend another into a u-shape to make his feet.  Wrap the feet around the spine piece.  Next, roll out clay to wrap around the pipe cleaners.  Let the clay dry overnight.  The next day you may want to paint your dinosaur using non-toxic paint.  His eyes should be white, but feel free to color your dinosaur as you wish.  Nobody really knows how dinosaurs were colored, so don't let anyone tell you that your dinosaur can't be pink.  Lastly, put him on your desk and watch as he or she scares away bullies and pencil thieves.

• Sequence 
• Compare and Contrast
• Problem and Solution 
• None of the above

Dr. Miller doesn't want the tigers to vanish.  These majestic beasts are disappearing at an alarming rate.  Dr. Miller thinks that we should write to our congress people.  If we let them know that we demand the preservation of this species, maybe we can make a difference.  Dr. Miller also suggests that we should donate to Save the Tigers.  Our donations will help to support and empower those who are fighting the hardest to preserve the tigers.  We owe it to our grandchildren to do something.

• Chronological Order
• Compare and Contrast
• Problem and Solution
• None of the above 

Hurricanes and tornadoes are both amazing yet deadly natural phenomena.  Both generate deadly conditions, but in different ways.  Tornadoes differentiate from hurricanes because they are likely to damage people and property with their high winds, which go up to 300 miles per hour, whereas hurricanes are generally more feared for their flooding.  Also, hurricanes can produce tornadoes, which makes them quite dangerous indeed. 

• Chronological Order 
• Problem and Solution 
• Sequence 
• Compare and Contrast