Understanding Text Structures K. Carey

The purpose of Informational Text is to share knowledge about a particular subject. Most Informational Texts tell you who did something and why something has happened. Some examples, also called Functional documents, tell you how to do something. When preparing to research topics, you need to consult Informational Texts. Nonfiction works such as history and science textbooks, reference books, news articles, and reports are examples of Informational Texts. The Purpose of Informational Text

Text Elements Text Structures refer to the way a writer arranges ideas and information within a piece of writing. There are several common patterns of organization.

Sequential Order/Chronological The arrangement, or sequence, of events, in the order in which they happen. 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 Signal Words afterafterwardas soon asbefore duringfinallyfirstfollowing immediatelyinitiallylatermeanwhile nextnot long afternowon (date) precedingsecondsoonthen thirdtodayuntilwhen

Compare and Contrast Described the similarities and differences between two or more items. Questions to Consider ◦ What are the similar and different qualities of these things? ◦ What qualities of each thing correspond to one another? In what way? Graphic Organizers ◦ Double Bubble Map ◦ Venn Diagram

Compare and Contrast Signal Words althoughas well asas opposed toboth butcompared withdifferent fromeither...or even thoughhoweverinstead ofin common on the other handotherwisesimilar tosimilarly stillyet

Description Presents the key idea of a topic and additional information to back it up. Questions to Consider ◦ What are you describing? ◦ What are its qualities? Graphic Organizers ◦ Bubble Map

Description Signal Words aboveacrossalongappears to be as inbehindbelowbeside betweendownin back ofin front of looks likenearon top ofonto outsideoversuch asto the right/left under

Problem-Solution Examines specific issues and presents one or more possible solutions. Questions to Consider ◦ What is the problem? ◦ What are the possible solutions? ◦ Which solution is best? ◦ How will you implement this solution? Graphic Organizers ◦ Circle Map ◦ Flow Map ◦ Multi-flow Map

Problem-Solution Signal Words the question isone answer isone reason for recommendations includebecausecause sincethereforeconsequently as a result ofthis let toco so thatneverthelessaccordingly if... thenthus

Cause and Effect Explores the connecting or relationships between events and ideas. Questions to Consider ◦ What are the causes and effects of this event? ◦ What might happen next? Graphic Organizers ◦ Multi-flow Map

Cause and Effect Signal Words accordinglyas a result ofbecausebegins with consequentlyeffects offinallyfirst for this reasonhow tohowif...then in order tois caused byleads/led tomay be due to nextso thatsteps involvedtherefore thuswhen...then

Examples of Text Structure Description Example: "The crocodile is the master of deception in the water. It stalks its prey and then swiftly closes in for the kill.“ Problem/Solution Example: "One problem to resolve in crocodile watching is transportation. How can an observer get close enough to watch without scaring it away or being attacked?“ Sequential Order Example: "Archaeologists have helped us to understand that the evolution of the crocodile began with...”

More Examples Comparison/Contrast Example: "The power of the crocodile is like that of a monstrous machine. With one lunge it can destroy its prey and protect the kill from other predators.“ Cause/Effect Example: "We observed the crocodile as it stalked a raccoon moving through the moonlight toward the edge of the water. As a result of a noise we made, the raccoon bolted...“ Directions Example: "When observing a crocodile, first you must...”

Resources t_structures.htm t_structures.htm htm htm ns.html ns.html a_literacy/pages/understanding_text_struct.html a_literacy/pages/understanding_text_struct.html

More Resources nfiction/fiveTextStructures.pdf nfiction/fiveTextStructures.pdf ix_B.pdf ix_B.pdf lybeanScientist.pdf lybeanScientist.pdf the%20Content%20Areas%20Files/Recognizing%20 Text%20Structures.pdf 20the%20Content%20Areas%20Files/Recognizing%20 Text%20Structures.pdf