1. Text Structure
English 7/8

2. Sequence—Also known as chronological order
The author describes a series of events or steps.

3. Sequence Questions
What sequence of events or steps is being described?
What is the beginning step or event?
What is the timespan of the sequence?
What is the final step or outcome?

4. You might also see bullets, dates, subheadings, and chapter titles.

5. Signal Words and Phrases
after (that) afterward as
at the same time
before
earlier
finally
first
following
initially
last
later on
meanwhile
next

6. not long after
now
on (day)
previously
prior to
second
soon
then
until
when
while

7. Proposition and Support
The author proposes an opinion or idea and supports it with evidence.

8. Proposition and Support Questions
What is the author proposing?
What are the author’s reasons?

9. Signal Words and Phrases
additionally
certainly
evidently
furthermore
in conclusion
in fact
in the first place
moreover
most important
not only but
of course
should surely
the facts show
without a doubt

10. Also look for statistics, expert opinions, and anecdotes
Also look for statistics, expert opinions, and anecdotes. (short stories used for evidence)

11. Compare and Contrast
The author tells how two things are like and how they are different.

12. Compare and Contrast Questions
What things are being compared?
What is it about these things that are being compared?
What do they have in common?
In what ways are they different?

13. You might also see graphs and charts, such as bar, line, and pie.

14. Signal Words and Phrases
unlike
same
similarly
whereas
while
yet
alike although
both
but
compared with
conversely
different from
even though
however
in contrast
Also look for superlatives, such as better, bigger, and fewest
in the same way likewise
on the other hand
neither nor

15. Description
The author describes a topic by listing its characteristics, features, and examples.

16. Description Questions
What person, place, thing, event, or concept is being described?
How is it described?
How would you now describe it in your own words?

17. You might also see diagrams, illustrations, and inset definitions.

18. Signal Words and Phrases
also
characteristics
for example
for instance
has/have
in addition
including
in fact
in particular
like specifically
such as
to illustrate

19. Several adjectives may be used
Several adjectives may be used. The subject, or synonyms for it, may be repeated throughout this type of text.

20. Cause and Effect
The author shows the relationship between an event and how or why it happened.

21. Cause and Effect Questions
What happened?
Why did it happen?
Is there more than one cause?
Is there more than one effect?

22. You might also see flow charts and timelines.

23. Signal Words and Phrases
as a result
because
brings about
caused by
consequently
due to
if then
in order to
led to
reason why
since
so therefore
thus

24. Problem and Solution
The author states a problem and lists one or more possible solutions to the problem.

25. Problem and Solution Questions
What is the problem?
Why is this a problem?
How can the problem be solved?

26. Signal Words and Phrases
answer
concern
difficulty
dilemma
future challenge
issue
one option
possible solution
problem
question
solve
solution
so that