Informational Text Structures

Why? Informational text can generally be split into one of FIVE categories. Let’s take a look at each one and its purpose. Image: Public Domain (source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/140989741@N04/26916280813/)

Cause and Effect Used to show why things happen The “cause” makes the “effect” happen. No cause, no effect! Can also include Problem and Solution (no problem, no solution!) Example: The New Deal (effect) was a direct response to the problems of the Great Depression (cause).

Description Used to simply give information about a particular topic Often provides lots of facts about a person, place, thing, or idea Just the facts! Example: an informational book on frogs that gives facts about their lives, diets, habitats, etc.

Chronological Used to show events happening over time This kind of text usually uses a timeline to display order Example: Most biographies are presented in chronological order

Sequence Used to show things in order by steps Often confused with chronological structure Often contains: first, second, next, then, finally, etc. Examples: recipes, directions, science experiments

Compare and Contrast Used to show similarities (compare) and differences (contrast) among various topics Uses descriptions of each to show comparisons Often contain a T-Chart to illustrate differences Example: books discussing different kinds of the same type of animal (Snakes- Constrictors versus Venomous)

But, what if my text uses more than one structure??? Relax! Many informational texts will use some part of several of these text structures. Some will switch amongst them from chapter to chapter.

Congratulations! Now you are ready to identify informational text structures. Next? Creating your own….