Which type of text structure answers the questions what happened and why?

Which type of text structure shows how two or more things are alike and different?

Which type of text structure describes events in sequential order?

Read Passage #1, and identify the text structure.  Take your time!

Read Passage #2, and identify the text structure.  Take your time!

Which key word(s) helped you figure out the text structure for Passage #2?

Read Passage #3, and identify the text structure.  Take your time!

Which key word(s) helped you identify the text structure for Passage #3?

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. Some toys even have buttons to push so prerecorded messages can be played to begin scripted adventures that require no imagination. No imagination? No wonder some children today have short attention spans.

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.

Lightning and thunder are related events. Lightning is a sudden, violent flash of electricity that occurs between a cloud and the ground or between two clouds in the sky. A lightning bolt can be several miles long and can be straight or forked. Lightning bolts are extremely hot. They have an average temperature of 20,000 degrees Celsius. Thunder is the sound that is caused by lightning. The heat from lightning causes the air to expand rapidly. This creates the sonic wave that we hear as thunder. The sound can be a loud crack or a slow rumble.

Although they are sisters, Jennifer and Jessica are complete opposites. Jennifer enjoys playing sports, while Jessica would rather watch. Jennifer has no interest in playing a musical instrument, while Jessica is the first chair violinist. Jennifer listens to new age music, while Jessica prefers country. Jennifer’s favorite subject is English, and Jessica’s favorite is math. Jennifer likes to curl up in a chair on a rainy day and read a good book , but Jessica would rather sleep all day. No one would ever guess that they are actually twins.

Tsunamis are very long waves in the ocean, sometime 100 miles long. Usually a tsunami starts suddenly. It will be as a normal wave, but quickly change into a very large, strong wave. The wave travels at a great speed across the ocean. Tsunamis can be very damaging when they come into contact with land. The can remove sand from beaches, destroy trees, damage houses, destroy entire towns, and take the lives of people.