1. INFORMATIONAL TEXT
Unit 2: Grade 8 ELA
Text Structure

2. Structure of Informational Text
Text structure refers to how the information within a written text is organized. 
Main Idea and Supporting Details – Presents key ideas and additional information to back it up.
Chronological Order (Sequence) – Arrangement of events in the order in which they happen in time.
Cause and Effect – Explores the connecting relationships between events or circumstances.
Questions and Answers or Problem/Solution – Poses a question, then answers in following paragraph.
Compare and Contrast – Shows how two or more, people, things, or ideas are similar and different.
Descriptive – Describes a person, place, thing or idea in great detail. There are a great deal of adjectives used and often photographs.

3. Informational Text Features
Visual Clues:
Headings and Subheadings
Boldface words
Illustrations or Maps
Graphics
Captions
Footnotes

4. Main Idea
The main idea (central idea) is the most important point that a writer is trying to make. Sometimes it’s in a topic sentence, but not always. It may appear further into the article or story or you may have to infer it.
Details will support the main idea statement.
Common transition phrases: For example, Statistics show, As in the case, A report states…

5. Every year teens spend billions of dollars shopping
Main Idea Example:
Every year teens spend billions of dollars shopping. In 2010 American teens spent $153 billion! According to one research company, the average teenager spends about $35 every time he or she goes to the mall. Experts expect more sales as the population of teens increases by 4 million by the year 2020.
Every year teens spend billions of dollars shopping
The average teenager spends about $35 every time he or she goes to the mall.
In 2010 American teens spent $153 billion.
Experts expect more sales as the teenage population increases.

6. Chronological Order
Chronological order is when a story or article in the order of events in which they happened. what happened first… what happened next… what happened last
EXAMPLE: A book about the American revolution might discuss the events leading to the war, explained in the order in which they occurred.
Common Transition Words: Before, during, next, then, finally, first, lastly

7. Cause and Effect
A cause is an action that makes something else happen.
An effect is what happens because of a certain action or event.
Cause and Effect examines what happens and why.
Common Transition Words/Phrases: Because, then, as a result, therefore

8. Cause and Effect Example #1: One Cause – Multiple Effects
Last year, my mom decided that our family should learn more about nature. For this reason, we went on a camping trip – and had an awful time! We didn’t have the right kind of tent and other supplies for the cool, damp weather at the campsite. As a result, we decided to do more research before planning another family vacation.
We went on a camping trip.
Mom decided that our family should learn more about nature.
We had an awful time.
We will do more research for future vacations.

9. Cause and Effect Example #2: Multiple Causes – One Effect
Lindsay worked hard to make this year’s talent show a success. She put up so many posters, just about everyone in the area knew about the show. Lots of people bought tickets. More people attended than ever before, which meant that the show raised more money for charity than they ever had.
Lindsay made many posters.
The talent show raised more $ than they ever had.
Lots of people bought tickets.
More people attended than ever before.

10. Question/Answer
A question is posed in the heading and answered in the following paragraph.
Example:
How are we learning more about Saturn?
Cassini, one of the largest interplanetary spaceships ever made has been orbiting Saturn since It is about the same length as a school bus and weighs about six tons with a full tank of rocket fuel. Inside are a dozen instruments capable of completing twenty-seven different scientific investigations.
Transitions/Phrases: What, when, who, where, why, how, one may conclude.

11. Compare & Contrast
Shows how two or more people, things, ideas, or events are similar and different.
Seeing Red
Look at a red sports car. Feeling excited? You may not realize it, but looking at the color red can make your heart beat faster. If you want to relax, just gaze into the pale blue sky. Every color, it seems, has a subtle effect on our bodies, whether we notice it or not.
The effect of the color red is obvious to anyone who has seen a bullfight in a movie. The matador holds out a red cape, which agitates the bull and sends him charging forward. The color red can also give shy people courage or make angry people even madder.
Blue and green, on the other hand, have the opposite effect on the body. Staring at these colors causes the body to release calming chemicals. For this reason, hospital rooms are often a soft green.

12. Descriptive
Describes a person, place, thing or idea in great detail. There are a great deal of adjectives used and often photographs.

13. Things to Consider When Reading Informational Text
Structure – How is the text organized? This will help with comprehension.
Author’s Purpose – Is the author’s purpose to Persuade, Inform, Entertain? (PIE)
Claim – What is the author’s claim or message?
Supporting Reasons/Evidence – Are the details/Evidence relevant and reliable?
Graphic Features – Preview these to get an idea about the content before reading.
In your textbook, turn to page 180.

14. Huge, Freed Pet Pythons…