+

Text Structures

8th Grade ELARI 8.5 and RL 8.5

+What does “text structure” mean?

When authors organize passages in certain ways to help readers better understand the text.Informational (how ideas are

organized)Fiction (compare/contrast literature)

+Fiction

Compare and contrast literature

Analyzing the similarities and differences of the passages can help the reader have a broader understanding of literature.

Text structure of fiction includes literary elements such us characterization, setting, plot, and theme, as well as organizational devices such as foreshadowing and flashback.

+Informational Texts

Text features have an impact on how nonfiction text looks on the page and are important to guide us in reading through the text.

Nonfiction is usually written with specific, or specialized, text features and text structures. These text structures usually include helpful text cues or signal words.

+Nonfiction Text Features

Sub headings

Bullets

Fonts

White space

Charts/Diagrams/Pictures

Labels

Captions

+Common Text Structures for Nonfiction In order to find out important information when

reading nonfiction, it helps to identify the text structure, i.e., how ideas have been developed and organized within the text.

Cause and EffectProblem and SolutionQuestion and AnswerCompare and ContrastDescriptionSequence/Chronology

+Nonfiction Cues/Signal WordsCause and Effect and Problem and Solution

CE: Why something happens is the cause. What happens because of the cause is the effect.

PS: The author’s purpose is to write about a problem and give a solution. Because Since Therefore Consequently As a result This led to Nevertheless If this….then For this reason

+Question and AnswerThe author asks a question and then gives an answer.

How

What

When

Where

Why

How many?

+Compare and ContrastA comparison tells how things, people, places or events are alike. A contrast tells how they are different.

However

Like/unlike

Both

On the other hand

Although

Similarly

In contrast

As opposed to

Whereas

+DescriptionAll the facts and details make up the description part of nonfiction writing. There aren’t any specific text cues/signal words. Strong description depends on sensory details.

Five Senses What we hear What we see What we feel What we taste What we touch

+Sequence/Chronology

All the facts are arranged in a special sequence or are listed in chronological or time order.

Now/At the same time

After/following

Before

When

Since

Until

First/To begin with

Finally

In addition