refers to the ways that authors organize information in text

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.


Builders can use different kinds of structures to build different things

A skyscraper, for example, is a different kind of structure from a house


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


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!




This is the cause




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?



Here is the problem



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


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.



Main idea



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

http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/aSGuest11441-142494-text-structure-power-point-entertainment-ppt-powerpoint/




http://www.prc.k12.ms.us/docs/.../Teaching%20Text%20Structure.ppt







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