Elements of Non Fiction: Text Structures

This text explains the topic by listing characteristics and examples. They give a mental picture to the reader.

• Sequence

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Classification

The text lists the events in chronological order; describes the order in which to make things (procedure)

• Problem and Solution

• Definition

• Cause and Effect

• Sequence

The text explains how things are alike or different

• Problem and Solution

• Compare and Contrast

• Cause and effect

• Sequence

The text lists one or more causes or events and the results that occur

• description

• advantages/ disadvantages

• Compare and Contrast

• Cause and Effect

The text states a problem and lists one or more possible solutions to that problem

• Problem and Solution

• Classification

• Compare and Contrast

• Definition

The text gives you the "good" and the "bad" parts of a topic. It discusses the pros and cons

• Problem and Solution

• Cause and Effect

• Sequence

• Advantages/ Disadvantages

The text divides a topic into parts or groups and separately discusses each

• Classification

• definition

• seqeuence

• Cause and effect

The text introduces a word or concept then explains or describes it. It then provides an example

• classification

• sequence

• Compare and contrast

• definition

Signals words: for example, such as, looks like, consists of, for instance

• cause and effect

• sequence

• description

• problem and solution

Signal words: first, second, third, next, before, after, then, following, finally, later, last

• classification

• advantages/ disadvantages

• cause and effect

• sequence