Non-fiction text structures

Cause and effect Tells why something happened, and the result of it happening.

Sequential Describes the order or tells the steps to follow to do or make something.

Description Tells about a topic, idea, person, place, or thing by listing its features, characteristics or examples.

Compare and Contrast Shows how two things are alike, and how they are different.

Chronological order Time order in which events occur.

Main idea and details Key concept and information that supports that concept.

Problem and solution Describes a problem and lists one or more possible solutions. Signal words: As a result, resolve, solve Questions to ask: What is the problem? What are some possible solutions?

What structure should you use for…? *A recipe *A list of battles of WWII *An article about how exercise and weight loss are related *A biography of Abraham Lincoln *An article arguing that a law should be passed *An article comparing 2015 to 1915