Don’t be this guy. Understand TEXT STRUCTURE.

A “structure” is a building or a framework. Text structure refers Text structure refers to how a piece of text is built.

Builders & designers create different structures to express themselves. Writers use different text structures to build their ideas. Each structure communicates ideas in a different way.

Chronological Order (Chronology) Texts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure tell the order of steps in a process or the order of events. Features: Features: timelines, temporal/sequential order words, dates and times Questions to ask as you read: Questions to ask as you read: ~ Is the author showing a sequence to something? ~ How are the steps organized? ~ What is the time span from the 1 st event to the last? ~ How does the author signal the change from one event to the next? (look for dates, order words)

Chronology Signal Words afterafterwardas soon asbefore duringfinallyfirstfollowing immediatelyinitallylatermeanwhile nextnot long afternowon (date) precedingsecondsoonthen thirdtodayuntilwhen

Which paragraph is in chronological order? What signal words gave you that idea? Pennsylvania has many historic sites. You can visit Revolutionary War sites, like Valley Forge. You can also visit important locations from the Civil War, like Gettysburg. Finally you can also see the site of the first oil well in Titusville. Pennsylvania has many interesting places to visit. Through the ages, Pennsylvania has seen many interesting events. The state was founded in 1681 by William Penn. Later Pennsylvania was the site of important Revolutionary War battles. Many years later, the state became home to new factories during the Industrial Revolution. Today Pennsylvania continues to relish in their history.

But what if an author doesn’t want to show how something happened in chronological order? Say what?!

Ok. Stick with me. Suppose an author wanted to explain how two birds are alike and different. Chronological order wouldn’t work in this case. The author would need to use a compare and contrast text structure to build her ideas.

READ THIS COMPARE & CONTRAST TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE? The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads, and both are often seen at birdfeeders. But the birds do have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

Compare and Contrast Texts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure tell about the relationship of two or more objects, places, events or topics by grouping their traits for comparing and contrasting. Features: Features: compare & contrast, details of similarities and differences, relationships Questions to ask as you read: Questions to ask as you read: ~ What’s the relationships between these two...? ~ How are things the same? How are things different? ~ How are the similarities and differences important to the main idea?

Compare and Contrast Signal Words althoughas well asas opposed toboth butcompared withdifferent fromeither...or even thoughhoweverinstead ofin common yetotherwisesimilar tosimilarly still on the other hand

Let’s check our learning today. What is text structure? What is text structure? What is the difference between chronology and compare / contrast structures? What is the difference between chronology and compare / contrast structures? How can signal words help you as a reader? How can signal words help you as a reader? Can those same signal words help you as a writer? Can those same signal words help you as a writer?

Let’s magnify our understanding of text structure today.

READ THIS TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE? WHAT IS THE AUTHOR DOING HERE? Most families plan at least one trip during their lifetime to the biggest theme park complex in the world, Disney World. Four major theme parks make up Disney World, along with dozens of other attractions and parks, and even evening entertainment districts. The Magic Kingdom is possibly the most loved of them all, with Cinderella Castle as its centerpiece. Epcot is another that showcases world culture and technology in a unique mix of attractions and educational exhibits. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests can gain knowledge of the inner workings of movie studios in an extremely amusing fashion. And finally Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a blend of nature and adventure packaged with all the imaginative touches that Disney has to offer.

Description Texts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure presents a main topic (person, place, thing, or idea) is described in elaborate detail. Features: Features: descriptive adjectives, strong verbs and adverbs, imagery, similes, and metaphors Questions to ask as you read: Questions to ask as you read: ~What’s being described? ~ What are its qualities? ~ What images come into my mind?

The Chesapeake Bay faces an uncertain future. Issues such as pesticides, too many nutrients, and habitat loss all threaten the Bay’s waters quality and animal life. However scientists are hopeful that the future may be brighter. If everyone in the Chesapeake Bay watershed area works together, a solution may be found. READ THIS TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE? WHAT IS THE AUTHOR DOING HERE?

Problem-Solution Texts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure presents a problem then solution or response is explained. Features: Features: there’s a problem and a solution Questions to ask as you read: Questions to ask as you read: ~ What is the problem? ~ What are the possible solutions? ~ Which solution is best?

Problem-Solution Signal Words the question isone answer isone reason for recommendations includebecausecause sincethereforeconsequently was foundthis led tothus so thatneverthelessaccordingly if... thento solve thisdilemma

Let’s check our learning today. What is text structure? What is text structure? What is the difference between compare / contrast and problem / solution structures? What is the difference between compare / contrast and problem / solution structures? What does the description structure look like? What does the description structure look like? Finger rate your understanding of text structure so far. Finger rate your understanding of text structure so far.

We have only one more text structure to study... ‘cause that’s how we roll!

Cause and Effect Texts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure show an event and reasons why it happened. Features: Features: strong time element – don’t confuse with chronology, may be several causes and several effects, can be mistaken for problem/solution Questions to ask as you read: Questions to ask as you read: ~What are the effects (what happened)? ~ What are the causes of this (why did this happen)?

Cause and Effect Signal Words accordinglyas a result ofbecausebegins with consequentlyeffects offinallyfirst for this reasonhow tohowif...then in order tois caused byleads/led tomay be due to nextso thatsteps involvedtherefore thuswhen...then

When the temperature rises deep under the Earth’s crust, it becomes hot enough to melt rock and turn it into magma. Sometimes this melted rock blasts through the Earth’s surface, which causes rock, ash, and deadly gases to fly into the air. As a result, the lava that flows out of the volcano can disintegrate trees, destroy houses, and even bury whole towns. Although volcanoes can cause lots of destruction, the volcano’s eruption also creates new land. Many times this new land forms an island in the ocean. You might even live on land created by a volcano! READ THIS CAUSE/EFFECT TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?

Let’s check our learning today. What is text structure? What is text structure? What are the 5 structures we have studied? What are the 5 structures we have studied? How could cause/effect and problem/solution structures be easily confused? How could cause/effect and problem/solution structures be easily confused?

Examples of various text structures using the same topic… Chronology Chronology Example: "Archaeologists have helped us to understand that the evolution of the crocodile began with...” Comparison/Contrast Comparison/Contrast Example: "The power of the crocodile is like that of a monstrous machine. With one lunge it can destroy its prey and protect the kill from other predators.“ Description Description Example: "The crocodile is the master of deception in the water. It stalks its prey and then swiftly closes in for the kill.”

More Examples Problem/Solution Problem/Solution Example: "One problem to resolve in crocodile watching is transportation. How can an observer get close enough to watch without scaring it away or being attacked?” Cause/Effect Cause/Effect Example: "We observed the crocodile as it stalked a raccoon moving through the moonlight toward the edge of the water. As a result of a noise we made, the raccoon bolted…”