TEXT STRUCTUREREFERS TO THE WAYS THAT AUTHORS
ORGANIZE INFORMATION IN TEXT.
What is a text structure?
A way for the author to organize the text so the reader understands the message.
What is a text structure?
Builders can use different kinds of structures to build different things
A skyscraper, for example, is a different kind of structure from a house
What is a text structure?
Writers use different structures to build their ideas
Each text structure communicates ideas in a different way
Examples
Fiction Story Elements:
Character Setting Conflict/Resolution Plot
Non – Fiction Cause and Effect Sequence Problem/Solution Description Compare and Contrast
Because nonfiction texts are not built like
narrative texts (no rising action, plot, etc.)T-Chart
Why do we need to learn about Text Structures?
Venn Diagram
How text is organized.
ALL stories are chronological. Nonfiction has lots of text structures. Each paragraph may be different.
We’ll learn 5 types.
Text Structure
Chronological Sequence Compare and Contrast Cause and Effect Problem and Solution
What are the 5 Kinds of Text Structures?
What are the 5 Kinds of Text Structures?
Sequence (Chronological and Order of Importance)
Compare and Contrast Cause and Effect Problem and Solution Descriptive
Chronological order Authors use
chronological order to explain how things happen in order
Chronological order is also called sequence or time order
Chronological order You will know that
you are reading a text in chronological order because you will see words like first, next, later, then, and finally
In order of time
Chrono = timeStories are told chronologically
Chronological Example
Moved Away
Met GirlFell in Love
Born in 1882
Marriedin 1906
Diedin 1948
Steps described in the order they occur.
Sequence / Order of Importance
Put on Shoe
Make Two Loops
Tie Loops Together
TightenLaces
Get bread
Open jars
Spread peanut butter
Spread jelly
Combine slices
Enjoy.
Does not take place at any specific point in time.
What is Sequence?Text
StructureDescription Signal Words
Sequence Describes events in the order that they happened or tells the steps of how to do something
• first before• second since• later now• next previously• then • finally• dates• after• when
Texts that follow this structure tell the order in
which steps in a process or series of events occur.
Questions to Consider◦ What happened? ◦ What is the sequence of events? ◦ What are the sub-stages?
Graphic Organizers◦ Flow Map◦ Multi-flow Map◦ Timeline
Sequential Order
after afterward as soon as before
during finally first following
immediately initally later meanwhile
next not long after now on (date)
preceding second soon then
third today until when
Sequential Order Signal Words
Sequence
Event 1 Event 2 Event 3
Event 4 Event 5
Appendix 3
Another text structure
Sometimes, a writer will want to explain how one event leads to another
This kind of text structure is called cause and effect
What is Cause and Effect?Text
StructureDescription Signal Words
Cause and Effect
The causes of an event and its resulting effect(s) are presented.
• if/then• as a result• therefore• consequently• since• because• hence• thus• this led to
Cause and Effect
Explains reasons why something happened.
Or explains the effects of something.
Not feeding it.
Not petting it.
Not loving it.
Why Dog Ran Away
Lots of Karate Movies in 60’s
Many Karate Schools Opened.
Nun chuck sales Increased 400%
Hospital caseswent up.
What are some signal words for Cause and Effect?
on account of as a result due to consequently since because thus this led to
More with cause and effect
Baby painted turtles spend all winter in their
nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!
More with cause and effect
Baby painted turtles spend all winter in their
nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!
This is the cause
More with cause and effect
Baby painted turtles spend all winter in their
nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!
This is the effect
Cause and EffectAppendix 5
Review
Which text structure tells about how things are similar and different?
Compare and contrast Which text structure explains how things
happen in time order? Chronological order
Problem and SolutionAuthor states a problem and solution(s).
Similar to cause and effect.
MissingBooks
Putting inthe Closet
GettingLockers
Eagles wereendangered.
Make laws to protect them.
Basically & Effect With an Opinion.
And an answer.
Another kind of text structure
Sometimes, an author will want to explain a problem, and then show one or more solutions
This kind of text structure is called problem and solution
What is Problem and Solution?
Text Structure
Description Signal Words
Problem and Solution
A problem and one or more solutions to the problem are presented.
• problem is• solution is• if/then• to solve the problem…
An example of problem and solution
Park School had a terrible problem. Every day at recess, students would argue over the slides. Teachers had to spend time every day taking care of the arguments. Finally, one teacher came up with a great solution. They bought another set of slides that everyone could enjoy.
Can you find the problem and the solution in this paragraph?
An example of problem and solution
Park School had a terrible problem. Every day at recess, students would argue over the slides. Teachers had to spend time every day taking care of the arguments. Finally, one teacher came up with a great solution. They bought another set of slides that everyone could enjoy.
Here is the problem
An example of problem and solution
Park School had a terrible problem. Every day at recess, students would argue over the slides. Teachers had to spend time every day taking care of the arguments. Finally, one teacher came up with a great solution. They bought another set of slides that everyone could enjoy.
Here is the problem
Here is the solution
Problem and SolutionAppendix 4
Another text structure
Suppose an author wanted to explain how these two birds are similar and different
Chronological order wouldn’t work---there is no order of events
The author would need to use compare and contrast
What is Compare and Contrast?
Text Structure
Description Signal Words
Compare and Contrast
Two or more events, objects or places that are being compared and shown how they are alike and/or different
• but• however• nevertheless• similarly• in contrast• different from• the same• like• unlike
Compare and ContrastCompare = find similarities Contrast = find
differences
Shows what’s in common and what’s different.Apples &
Oranges
Fruits
Have Seeds
Healthy
Colors
Tastes
Locations
What are some signal words for Compare and Contrast?
Bothbuthowever nevertheless on the other hand in contrast different from the same like unlike
Compare and contrast graphic organizer
To organize details from a paragraph in compare and contrast, use a Venn diagram
Comparison
Differences Differences
Similarities
Appendix 1
What is Description?Text
StructureDescription Signal Words
Description A topic is described by listing characteristics, features, attributes, and examples.
• for example• for instance• such as • is like• in addition • also• including• in particular
Description paragraphs
In this kind of paragraph, the author offers a main idea statement, and then supports that statement with several details
Descriptive paragraphs
The pond was a beautiful place to visit. The falling leaves, all different colors, decorated the surface of the water. At the edges of the pond, small wildflowers grew. The golden forest glowed faintly in the distance.
Description paragraphs
The pond was a beautiful place to visit. The falling leaves, all different colors, decorated the surface of the water. At the edges of the pond, small wildflowers grew. The golden forest glowed faintly in the distance.
Main idea
Description paragraphs
The pond was a beautiful place to visit. The falling leaves, all different colors, decorated the surface of the water. At the edges of the pond, small wildflowers grew. The golden forest glowed faintly in the distance.
Main idea
All of the other sentences explain why the main idea is true
DescriptionAppendix 2
Emily Kissner http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/aSGuest
11441-142494-text-structure-power-point-entertainment-ppt-powerpoint/
highmail.highlands.k12.fl.us/~deanc/textstructure.ppt
www.prc.k12.ms.us/docs/.../Teaching%20Text%20Structure.ppt
Resources