Text Structure Signal Words and Examples

Front

What are signal words?

Back

Signal words are words or phrases that indicate the organization of a text and help readers understand the relationships between ideas.

Front

What signal words indicate chronological order?

Back

First, next, then, finally.

Front

What signal words indicate a problem and solution structure?

Back

Problem, solution, difficulty, hope.

Front

What signal words indicate compare and contrast?

Back

Similar, different, both, however, on the other hand.

Front

What is the purpose of using signal words in writing?

Back

Signal words help guide the reader through the text, clarifying the author's organizational pattern and the relationships between ideas.

Front

What signal words indicate cause and effect?

Back

Because, therefore, as a result, consequently.

Front

What is chronological order?

Back

Chronological order is the arrangement of events in the order they occur in time.

Front

What is compare and contrast?

Back

Compare and contrast is a text structure that examines the similarities and differences between two or more subjects.

Front

What signal words indicate a sequence of events?

Back

First, second, next, after, finally.

Front

What is the difference between 'cause' and 'effect'?

Back

A cause is an event or action that leads to another event (the effect).