Reading Informational Texts: Patterns of Organization

Informational Texts: Patterns of Organization Reading any type of writing is easier once you recognize how it is organized. Several common patterns of organization include: oMain Idea and Supporting Details oChronological Order oCause-Effect oCompare/Contrast oProblem-Solution

Informational Texts Main Idea and Supporting Details

Main Idea - The most important idea about a topic that a particular text or paragraph conveys. Supporting Details – Words, phrases, or sentences that tell more about the main idea.

Remember the Main Idea House? A paragraph is a group of sentences related to one main idea. The main idea is like the roof of a house. The roof of the house is made up of two parts: the word or phrase that the paragraph discusses; the message (what the author wants you to know about that word or phrase).

Create a main idea house for the three paragraphs on page R8. Don’t forget that the roof must be supported (proven, exemplified, described, etc.) with supporting details.

Chronological Order The arrangement of events in the order in which they happen.

Chronological Order Look for words that signal this arrangement: Before After Next Later The next day That evening First Afterward Then During Finally

Chronological Order Look for words and phrases that identify times, such as “in a year,” “three hours earlier,” “in 202 B.C.,” or “the next day.” Read “A Butterfly Gets Its Wings,” p. R9, and answer the questions on page R10.

Cause-Effect Organization A pattern of organization that shows causal relationships between events, ideas, and trends.

Cause Effect

Cause

Cause-Effect Because Since Had the effect of Led to As a result Resulted in For that reason Due to Therefore If … then Consequently

Cause-Effect Organization Read “How a Tsunani Forms,” pp. R10-R11, and answer the questions.

Compare-and-Contrast Organization A pattern of organization that provides a way to look at similarities and differences in two or more subject.

Compare-and-Contrast

Use a graphic organizer, such as a Venn diagram, to record points of comparison and similarities or differences.

Compare-and-Contrast Look for words and phrases that signal this type of organization: Like Similarly Both All Every Also In the same way Unlike But On the other hand More Less In contrast However

Compare-and-Contrast POINT-BY-POINT ORGANIZATION: The writer discusses one point of comparison for both subjects, then goes on to the next point. SUBJECT-BY-SUBJECT ORGANIZATION: The writer covers all points of comparison for one subject and then all points of comparison for the next subject.

Subject OneSubject Two Point 1 Point 2 Point3

Compare-and-Contrast Read “Living in Outer Space,” R11-R12, and answer the questions that follow.

Problem-Solution Order A pattern of organization in which a problem is stated and analyzed, and then one or more solutions are proposed and examined.

Prolem-Solution Order Look for an explanation of the problem in the first or second paragraph. Look for words, such as problem and reason, that may signal an explanation of the problem. To find the solution, ask: What suggestion does the writer offer to solve the problem? Look for words, such as propose, conclude, and answer, that may signal a solution.

Problem-Solution Order Read the model on page R13 and answer the questions that follow.