Organizational Text Structures

What are text structures? Text structure refers to the way ideas are related to help convey a message to a reader Text structures are used to help make reading nonfiction texts easier

The patterns in text structure are: Cause/effect- showing how facts, events, or concepts happen or come into being because of other facts. Problem/solution- showing the development of a problem and the solutions to that problem. Signal words: because, since, therefore, consequently, as a result, this led to, if…then, accordingly, nevertheless, so that, thus

The patterns in text structure are: Comparison/contrast- pointing out similarities and differences among facts, people, events, and concepts. Signal words: however, but, as well as, on the other hand, not only…but also, either…or, in spite of, although, yet, unless, while, except Generalization- A statement about a whole group Signal words: all, always, in fact

The patterns in text structure are: Chronological/sequential- putting facts, events, or concepts into a sequence or into an order Signal words: on (date), not long after, now, as, before, after, when first, second, then, finally Enumeration or listing- listing of facts or events in no special order Signal words: also, another, several Concept/definition- providing an explanation of a concept or topic by using synonyms to describe it Signal words: described as, synonymous with, is, equals, means, in other words

Internal Text Structures Chronological or sequential Ex: timelines, records or historical events Comparison and contrast Ex: looking at the similarities and differences between two things such as a novel to the movie Cause and effect Ex: history and science books Problem and solution Generalization Ex: advertisements and editorials Enumeration or listing Ex: grocery listing of examples Concept and definition Ex: textbooks and encyclopedias Process Ex: cookbooks and how-to books

External Text Structures External text structures are the additions added to texts to help the reader understand information with more ease. They are found outside the main body of the text. Examples: Italics Bold or colored print Underlining Indention Sidebars (columns on the sides of pages) Illustrations, graphics, and photography Headings and subheadings Footnotes and annotations

Identify which type of text structure each of the below passages are examples of Compare/contrast, Problem/solution, Cause and effect, Sequence ________ John F. Kennedy was a Democratic candidate for President when in October 1960 he first suggested there should be a Peace Corps. After he was elected, Kennedy asked his brother-in-law, Sergeant Shriver, to help set up a Peace Corps. Not long after, in March 1961, Kennedy gave an order to create the organization. It wasn’t until September of that year that the Congress approved the Peace Corps and appropriated money to run it for one year. ________ Castles were built for defense, not comfort. In spite of some books and movies that have made them attractive, castles were cold, dark, gloomy placed to live. Rooms were small and not the least bit charming. Except for the great central hall or the kitchen, there were no fires to keep the rooms heated. Not only was there a lack of furniture, but also what there was tended to be uncomfortable.

Identify which type of text structure each of the below passages are examples of Compare/contrast, Problem/solution, Cause and effect, Sequence ________ The fire was started by sparks from the campfire left by a careless camper. Consequently, thousands of acres of important watershed burned before the fire was brought under control. As a result of the fire, trees and the grasslands on the slopes of the valley were gone. Therefore, smoking black stumps were all that remained of tall pine trees. ________ The skyrocketing price of oil in the 1970s created a serious problem for many Americans. The oil companies responded to the high cost of purchasing oil by searching for new oil supplies. This resulted in new deposits being found in some Third World nations, such as Nigeria. Oil companies also began drilling for oil in the ocean floor; thus, scientists discovered ways to extract oil from a rock known as oil shale.