1. How is the text organized?
Text Structures
How is the text organized?

2. Text structure Helps the reader comprehend the text.
Organizes information
Helps to determine author’s purpose so you know how the text functions
Helps the reader analyze the information.

3. Seven main types of text structure Patterns of Organization
Chronological order
Sequential
Cause/Effect
Compare/Contrast
Problem/Solution
Description
Spatial

4. Chronological Order What is it?
The author lists items or events in numerical order or the author writes about events in the order they happened

5. To describe the order of events or how to do or make something
Chronological Order
How do authors use it?
To describe the order of events or how to do or make something
Look for it in short stories and novels, historical writing, biographies, and autobiographies

6. Is there any extra information that will help me?
Chronological Order
Is there any extra information that will help me?
Hint: “Chron” means “time”
May be called “sequence”

7. Chronological Order Key Words I
First, second, third
Next
Then, after
Before, prior to
Not long after
While, meanwhile
Simultaneously
At the same time

8. Chronological Order Key Words II
Following
Finally
At last
In the end
On (date)
At (time)
Directions
Words that indicate when (during the summer)

9. Sequential What is it?
Sequential order, or process writing as it is sometimes called, is when information in a passage is organized by the order in which it occurs.
Unlike chronologically ordered texts, information organized sequentially does not occur at any specific time but, rather, anytime. 

10. Sequential or Sequence How do we use it?
Sequence is often a shorter period of time than chronological.
Sequence is often used for instructions.
Could be used in order of importance.

11. Sequential
This method of organizing text is generally used for instructions or directions, but it can also be used to explain processes in nature or society, such as how a president is elected. 

12. Key words First, second, etc. Next Then Before Last
Words preceded by bullets, numbers, or letters

13. Cause and Effect What is it?
The author lists one or more causes (or events) and the resulting consequences (or effects)

14. To explain why or how something happened, exists, or works
Cause and effect
How do authors use it?
To explain why or how something happened, exists, or works

15. Is there any extra information that will help me?
Cause and Effect
Is there any extra information that will help me?
Effect = What happened?
Cause = What made it happen?
Often there will be an “if/then” pattern

16. Cause and effect Key words I
Reasons why
Reasons for
If…then
As a result of
Therefore
Because of So
Since

17. Cause and effect Key words II
In order to
Leads or leads to
Effects of
Caused by
Result
Outcome
Impact
Influenced by
Brought about by

18. Compare/Contrast What is it?
The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different

19. Compare/Contrast How do authors use it?
To show specific similarities and differences in the characteristics of two or more items

20. Is there any extra information that will help me?
Compare/Contrast
Is there any extra information that will help me?
You can use a Venn diagram as a graphic organizer to understand the text

21. Compare/contrast Key words I
Differs from
Similar to
In contrast
Alike
Same as
As well as
On the other hand

22. Compare/contrast Key words II
Either…, or…
Not only…, but also…
Yet, although, but
However
Also look for “- est” words: best, fewest, tallest, etc.

23. Problem/Solution What is it?
The author states a problem and lists one or more possible solutions to the problem

24. To persuade, such as an editorial or proposal
Problem/Solution
How do authors use it?
To persuade, such as an editorial or proposal

25. May also include the pros and cons for the solutions
Problem/Solution
Is there any extra information that will help me?
May also include the pros and cons for the solutions

26. Problem/solution Key words I
Problem is…
Dilemma is…
Puzzle is…
Solved
Question
Answer
Because
Since

27. Problem/solution Key words II
This led to
The main difficulty
One possible solution is…
One challenge…
Therefore,
This led to, so that
If…then, thus

28. Description What is it? Uses descriptive language to
paint vivid pictures in your mind.
Descriptive texts highlight features, qualities, distinctive aspects, in order to furnish a clear, complete image.

29. Key words
Uses adjectives and adverbs to provide a clear picture of an object or person or idea in exposition or narrative.
Also found in dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, and guides.
Words like for example, in particular, specifically, such as.

30. Spatial What is it?
Spatial organization is when information in a passage is organized in order of space or location when the narrator describes how something looks.

31. Spatial
If you were to describe the room in which you are sitting right now, you would be using spatial organization.
Spatial organization may also be called descriptive writing, and it is most frequently used when the narrator describes how something looks.

32. Key words for spatial text structure
Top
Bottom
Left
Right
Front Back
Higher than or lower than
In front of or behind

33. Key Words II for Spatial
Between
In the East, West, etc.
Turning left or right
Beneath
Inner/outer

34. The end!
Hope this presentation helps you understand text structure.