1. Text Structure
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2. 5 Common Text Structures

3. Sequence
The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order. Describes the order of events or how to do or make something.
What do numerical and chronological mean?
First event Second Event Third Event Fourth Event

4. You might see words like this in sequential texts:
Clues
You might see words like this in sequential texts:
First, second, third
Next
Then
After
Before
Prior to
Not long after
While, meanwhile
Simultaneously
At the same time
Following
Finally
At last
In the end
On (date)
At (time)
Directions
Timeline
Steps/Directions

5. Text Example

6. Practice using the graphic organizer for this text.

7. Description
The author explains a topic, idea, person, place, or thing by listing characteristics, features, and examples. Focus is on one thing and its components.

8. You might see words like this in descriptive texts:
Clues
You might see words like this in descriptive texts:
For example
Characteristics are
Such as
Looks like
Consists of
For instance
Most important
Fact
*Look for topic word (or synonym) to be repeated throughout the text.

9. Text Example
The Olympic symbol consists of five interlocking rings. In fact, the rings represent five of the seven continents. Continents such as Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America send athletes to compete in the games. Their symbol is considered quite colorful and includes the colors black, blue, green, red, and yellow. At least one of these colors is found in the flag of every country sending athletes to compete in the Olympic games.

10. Practice using the graphic organizer for this text.

11. Compare/Contrast
The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.

12. You might see words like this in comparative texts:
Clues
You might see words like this in comparative texts:
Differs from
Similar to
In contrast
Alike
Same as
As well as
On the other hand
Both
Either , or
Not only, but also
Yet
Although
But
However
While
On the other hand
* Also look for “- est” words: best, fewest, tallest, etc.

13. Text Example

14. Practice using the graphic organizer for this text.

15. Cause and Effect
The author lists one or more causes or events and the resulting consequences or effects.
Effect = What happened? Cause = What made it happen?
*Often there will be an “if/then” pattern

16. You might see words like this in cause and effect texts:
Clues
You might see words like this in cause and effect texts:
Reasons why
Reasons for
If…then
As a result of
Therefore
Because of So
Since
In order to
Leads or leads to
Effects of
Caused by
Result
Outcome
Impact
Influenced by
Brought about by

17. Text Example
In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth’s population lives in urban areas. There are several reasons for this occurrence. First, the increasing industrialization of the nineteenth century resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in cities. These jobs attracted many people from rural areas. Second, there were many schools established to educate the children of the new factory laborers. Finally, as the cities grew, people established places of leisure, entertainment, and culture, such as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums. For many people, these facilities made city life appear more interesting than life on the farm, and therefore drew them away from rural communities.

18. Problem Solution
The author states a problem and lists one or more possible solutions to the problem. May also include the pros and cons for the solutions.

19. You might see words like this in problem solution texts:
Clues
You might see words like this in problem solution texts:
Problem is…
Dilemma is…
Puzzle is…
Solved
Question
Answer
Because
Since
This led to
The main difficulty
One possible solution is…
One challenge…
Therefore,
This led to, so that
If…then, thus

20. Text Example
One problem with the modern Olympics is that it has become very big and expensive to operate. A stadium, pools, and playing fields must be built for the athletic events and housing is needed for the athletes who come from around the world, and all of these facilities are used for only 2 weeks! In 1984, Los Angeles solved these problems by charging a fee for companies who wanted to be official sponsors of the games. Companies, like McDonald's, paid a lot of money to be part of the Olympics. Buildings that were already built in the Los Angeles area were also used. The Coliseum where the 1932
games were held was used again and many colleges and universities in the area became playing and living sites.