ELA Assignment: Text Structure – Chronology (Sequence of Events)

What are some sequence words authors use to show the order of events?

• first, next, then, finally, after, before, during

• however, although, but, yet, unless, despite

• quickly, slowly, silently, loudly, gently, harshly

• red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple

What happens first in the passage?

• The butterfly starts as an egg.

• The butterfly lays eggs.

• The butterfly becomes a caterpillar.

• The butterfly forms a chrysalis.

What happens next? ____________________________

• The egg hatches into a tiny caterpillar.

• The egg turns into a flower.

• The egg becomes a small bird.

• The egg disappears completely.

What happens last?

• The butterfly breaks free and flies away.

• The caterpillar spins a cocoon.

• The butterfly lays eggs on a leaf.

• The caterpillar eats leaves.

What sequence words did the author use to show the order of events?

• After, Then, Inside, Finally

• Before, Quickly, Under, Soon

• First, Over, Near, Last

• During, Above, Next, Early

Put the steps in order (1–5):

• Water the soil.

• Wait for the plant to grow.

• Wait for the plant to grow.

• Place the seed inside.

• Dig a hole.

• Water the soil.

• Cover the seed with dirt.

• Dig a hole.

• Place the seed inside.

• Cover the seed with dirt.

Which sequence words should you use to show the order of things you do every morning before school?

• First, next, then, finally

• Yesterday, today, tomorrow, always

• Morning, afternoon, evening, night

• Quickly, slowly, loudly, quietly

It is important for an author to use sequence words when writing about events because:

• they help readers understand the order in which events happen.

• they make the story longer.

• they add more characters to the story.

• they make the story more confusing.