1. Informational Text Structures

2. 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:

3. Cause Effect 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).
Cause
Effect

4. 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.
Topic
detail

5. 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

6. Sequence first second third 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
first
second
third

7. Compare and Contrast dog cat Fox
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)
dog
cat
Fox

8. 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.

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