Text Structures

While oranges and lemons are both citrus fruits that grow on trees, they are different colors and have very different tastes.

• description
• compare & contrast
• order & sequence 
• problem & solution

The school hallway carried the smell of wax, varnish, and cleaning supplies. Bright,yellow light glared into the hall through the freshly cleaned windows. This highlighted the deep scrapes in the lockers, the chips in the wall tiles, and the spider webs hanging in the corner.

• description
• compare & contrast
• order & sequence
• problem & solution

This type of writing gives information step-by-step.

• cause & effect
• problem & solution
• order & sequence 
• compare & contrast

This type of writing considers similarities and differences.

• description
• compare & contrast
• order & sequence
• cause & effect

The sun shone bright yellow in a cloudless blue sky. A faint haze rose from the glistening pavement, suggesting steam rising off a hot surface.

• description
• compare & contrast
• order & sequence
• problem & solution

Every year, thousands of car accidents occur because of drivers distracted by their phones. Safe drive Corporation developed a product that will disable cell phones inside a car, and many people feel this product will help save lives.

• description
• compare & contrast
• order & sequence
• problem & solution

Choose the clue words that indicate problem and solution.

• first, last, next, after
• cause, as a result of, consequently
• compare, similar, both, alike
• threat, difficulty, possibility, hope

Choose the clue words that indicate compare and contrast.

• therefore, cause, effect, consequently
• later, then, next, Monday
• similar, different, common, on the other hand
• possibility, struggle, hope, problem

Students who are frequently absent often have lower average grades than those who have good attendance. When they are out of the classroom, students do notget to see a teacher’s lessons. Even if they attend extra help, it’s usually much shorter and less detailed than the actual lesson. In addition, frequently absent students often miss tests or other assignments and don’t always make up the work.

• problem & solution
• order & sequence 
• compare & contrast
• cause & effect

This type of writing includes many adjectives, examples, or characteristics.

• description
• compare & contrast
• order & sequence
• problem & solution