Don’t be this guy. Don’t be this guy. Understand Understand TEXT STRUCTURE.TEXT STRUCTURE.

A “structure” is a A “structure” is a building or a building or a framework. framework.

Text structure refers Text structure refers to how a piece of text to how a piece of text

is built. is built.

Builders & designers create different Builders & designers create different structures to express themselves.structures to express themselves.

Writers use different text structures to Writers use different text structures to build their ideas. build their ideas.

Each Each structure structure communicatcommunicates ideas in a es ideas in a different different way.way.

Chronological Order Chronological Order (Chronology)(Chronology)Texts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure tell the order

of steps in a process or the order of events.

Features: Features: timelines, temporal/sequential order words, dates and times

Questions to ask as you read:Questions to ask as you read:~ Is the author showing a sequence to something?~ How are the steps organized?~ What is the time span from the 1st event to the last?~ How does the author signal the change from one

event to the next? (look for dates, order words)

Chronology Signal WordsChronology Signal Words

after afterward as soon as before

during finally first following

immediately initally later meanwhile

next not long after now on (date)

preceding second soon then

third today until when

Which paragraph is in chronological Which paragraph is in chronological order? What signal words gave you order? What signal words gave you that idea?that idea?

Pennsylvania has many Pennsylvania has many historic sites. You can historic sites. You can visit Revolutionary War visit Revolutionary War sites, like Valley Forge. sites, like Valley Forge. You can also visit You can also visit important locations important locations from the Civil War, like from the Civil War, like Gettysburg. Finally Gettysburg. Finally you can also see the you can also see the site of the first oil well site of the first oil well in Titusville. in Titusville. Pennsylvania has many Pennsylvania has many interesting places to interesting places to visit.visit.

Through the ages, Through the ages, Pennsylvania has Pennsylvania has seen many seen many interesting events. interesting events. The state was The state was founded in 1681 by founded in 1681 by William Penn. Later William Penn. Later Pennsylvania was Pennsylvania was the site of the site of important important Revolutionary War Revolutionary War battles. Many battles. Many years later, the years later, the state became home state became home to new factories to new factories during the during the Industrial Industrial Revolution. Today Revolution. Today Pennsylvania Pennsylvania continues to relish continues to relish in their history. in their history.

But what if an author doesn’t But what if an author doesn’t want to show how something want to show how something happened in chronological happened in chronological order?order?

Say what?!

Ok. Stick with me. Suppose an author Ok. Stick with me. Suppose an author wanted to explain how two birds are wanted to explain how two birds are alike and different. Chronological order alike and different. Chronological order wouldn’t work in this case. wouldn’t work in this case.

The author would need to use a The author would need to use a compare and contrast compare and contrast

text structuretext structure to build her ideas.to build her ideas.

READ THIS COMPARE & CONTRAST READ THIS COMPARE & CONTRAST TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE.

WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?

The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads, and both are often seen at birdfeeders. But the birds do have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

Compare and ContrastCompare and ContrastTexts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure tell about

the relationship of two or more objects, places, events or topics by grouping their traits for comparing and contrasting.

Features: Features: compare & contrast, details of similarities and differences, relationships

Questions to ask as you read:Questions to ask as you read:~ What’s the relationships between these two...?~ How are things the same? How are things different?~ How are the similarities and differences important to the

main idea?

Compare and Contrast Signal Compare and Contrast Signal WordsWords

although as well as as opposed to both

but compared with different from either...or

even though however instead of in common

yet otherwise similar to similarly

stillon the other hand

Let’s check our learning Let’s check our learning today.today.

What is text What is text structure?structure?

What is the What is the difference difference between between

chronology and chronology and comparecompare//contrast contrast

structures?structures?

How can signal How can signal words help you as words help you as

a reader? a reader?

Can those same Can those same signal words help signal words help you as a writer?you as a writer?

Let’s magnify Let’s magnify our understanding our understanding of text structure of text structure

today.today.

READ THIS TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. READ THIS TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE? WHAT DO YOU NOTICE? WHAT IS THE AUTHOR DOING HERE? WHAT IS THE AUTHOR DOING HERE? Most families plan at least one trip during their lifetime to the biggest theme park complex in the world, Disney World. Four major theme parks make up Disney World, along with dozens of other attractions and parks, and even evening entertainment districts. The Magic Kingdom is possibly the most loved of them all, with Cinderella Castle as its centerpiece. Epcot is another that showcases world culture and technology in a unique mix of attractions and educational exhibits. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests can gain knowledge of the inner workings of movie studios in an extremely amusing fashion. And finally Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a blend of nature and adventure packaged with all the imaginative touches that Disney has to offer.

DescriptionDescriptionTexts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure

presents a main topic (person, place, thing, or idea) is described in elaborate detail.

Features: Features: descriptive adjectives, strong verbs and adverbs, imagery, similes, and metaphors

Questions to ask as you read:Questions to ask as you read:~What’s being described?~ What are its qualities?~ What images come into my mind?

The Chesapeake Bay faces an uncertain future. Issues such as pesticides, too many nutrients, and habitat loss all threaten the Bay’s waters quality and animal life. However scientists are hopeful that the future may be brighter. If everyone in the Chesapeake Bay watershed area works together, a solution may be found.

READ THIS TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. READ THIS TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE? WHAT DO YOU NOTICE? WHAT IS THE AUTHOR DOING HERE? WHAT IS THE AUTHOR DOING HERE?

Problem-SolutionProblem-Solution

Texts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure presents a problem then solution or response is explained.

Features: Features: there’s a problem and a solution

Questions to ask as you read:Questions to ask as you read:~ What is the problem? ~ What are the possible solutions? ~ Which solution is best?

Problem-Solution Signal Problem-Solution Signal WordsWords

the question is one answer is one reason for

recommendations include

because cause

since therefore consequently

was found this led to thus

so that nevertheless accordingly

if . . . then to solve this dilemma

Let’s check our learning Let’s check our learning today.today.

What is text What is text structure?structure?

What is the What is the difference difference between between

comparecompare//contrast contrast and and

problemproblem//solution solution structures?structures?

What does the What does the description description

structure look structure look like? like?

Finger rate your Finger rate your understanding of understanding of text structure so text structure so

far.far.

We have only one more We have only one more text structure to study... text structure to study... ‘‘causecause that’s how we roll! that’s how we roll!

Cause and EffectCause and EffectTexts that follow this structure Texts that follow this structure show

an event and reasons why it happened.

Features: Features: strong time element – don’t confuse with chronology, may be several causes and several effects, can be mistaken for problem/solution

Questions to ask as you read:Questions to ask as you read:~What are the effects (what happened)?~ What are the causes of this (why did this

happen)?

Cause and Effect Signal Cause and Effect Signal WordsWords

accordingly as a result of because begins with

consequently effects of finally first

for this reason

how to how if...then

in order to is caused by leads/led tomay be due to

next so thatsteps involved

therefore

thus when...then

When the temperature rises deep under the Earth’s crust, When the temperature rises deep under the Earth’s crust, it becomes hot enough to melt rock and turn it into magma. it becomes hot enough to melt rock and turn it into magma. Sometimes this melted rock blasts through the Earth’s Sometimes this melted rock blasts through the Earth’s surface, which causes rock, ash, and deadly gases to fly into surface, which causes rock, ash, and deadly gases to fly into the air. As a result, the lava that flows out of the volcano can the air. As a result, the lava that flows out of the volcano can disintegrate trees, destroy houses, and even bury whole disintegrate trees, destroy houses, and even bury whole towns. Although volcanoes can cause lots of destruction, the towns. Although volcanoes can cause lots of destruction, the volcano’s eruption also creates new land. Many times this volcano’s eruption also creates new land. Many times this new land forms an island in the ocean. You might even live new land forms an island in the ocean. You might even live on land created by a volcano!on land created by a volcano!

READ THIS CAUSE/EFFECT TEXT STRUCTURE READ THIS CAUSE/EFFECT TEXT STRUCTURE EXAMPLE. EXAMPLE. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE? WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?

Let’s check our learning Let’s check our learning today.today.

What is text What is text structure?structure?

What are the 5 What are the 5 structures we structures we have studied?have studied?

How could How could cause/effect and cause/effect and problem/solution problem/solution

structures be structures be easily confused?easily confused?

Examples of various text Examples of various text structures using the same topic… structures using the same topic…

ChronologyChronologyExample: "Archaeologists have helped us to understand that the evolution of the crocodile began with...”

Comparison/ContrastComparison/ContrastExample: "The power of the crocodile is like that of a monstrous machine. With one lunge it can destroy its prey and protect the kill from other predators.“

DescriptionDescriptionExample: "The crocodile is the master of deception in the water. It stalks its prey and then swiftly closes in for the kill.”

More ExamplesMore Examples

Problem/SolutionProblem/SolutionExample: "One problem to resolve in crocodile watching is transportation. How can an observer get close enough to watch without scaring it away or being attacked?”

Cause/Effect Cause/Effect Example: "We observed the crocodile as it stalked a raccoon moving through the moonlight toward the edge of the water. As a result of a noise we made, the raccoon bolted…”