NON-FICTION TEXT STRUCTURE Notes

Writing that organizes events in their order of occurrence in time 1. CHRONOLOGICAL Writing that organizes events in their order of occurrence in time

EXAMPLE This morning was crazy. My alarm clock was set for PM instead of AM, so I woke up really late. I just threw on some clothes and ran out the door. I rode my bike as fast as I could and thought that I was going to be late for sure, but when I got there everyone was outside and there were fire trucks all lined up in front of school. I guess somebody pulled the fire alarm before class started. It worked out though, because nobody really noticed or minded that I was tardy.

2. COMPARE AND CONTRAST Writing that shows the similarities and differences between two or more things, events, ideas, etc.

EXAMPLE  Apples and oranges are both fruits, which means that they have seeds inside of them. Each has a skin, but orange skins are thick and easy to peel. Apple skins are thinner and do not peel easily. Oranges also contain more acid than apples, but both fruits are delicious.

3. SEQUENCE/ LIST Writing that organizes a series of events or a process in order. Unlike chronological writing, sequence does not focus on time. An example of sequence writing would be a list of directions or how to follow a recipe.

EXAMPLE Here is the note my grandmother gave me to bake her famous chocolate chip cookies. First, get your materials at the grocery store. Then, make your dough. While you are making the dough, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. After the over is preheated, place the dough in the oven for 15 minutes. Let the cookies cool before eating.

Writing that provides reasons and outcomes for things and events 4. CAUSE AND EFFECT Writing that provides reasons and outcomes for things and events

EXAMPLE Many people think that they can get sick by going into cold weather improperly dressed; however, illnesses are not caused by temperature- they are caused by germs. So while shivering outside in the cold probably won’t strengthen your immune system, you’re more likely to contract an illness indoors because you will have a greater exposure to germs.

5. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION Writing that provides problems or difficulties and then provides solutions or answers to those problems

EXAMPLE Thousands of people die each year in car accidents involving drugs or alcohol.  Lives could be saved if our town adopts a free public taxi service. By providing such a service, we could prevent intoxicated drivers from endangering themselves or others.

Writing that focuses on description 6. SPATIAL Writing that focuses on description

EXAMPLE Volcanoes are a feared and destructive force for good reason.  A volcano is like a pressure valve for the inner earth, but they can also be very beautiful.  One part of the volcano that people rarely see is the magma chamber. The magma chamber is way beneath the Earth’s bed rock.  It is tremendously hot. Running from the magma chamber to the crater of the volcano is the conduit. The conduit connects the magma chamber to the outer world.  At the top of the volcano is the the crater. This is where the magma exits. Volcanoes are a beautiful yet dangerous natural phenomenon.