1. Informational Text Structure
Where else have you heard the word structure?

2. What’s Text Structure?
Just like there were different ways to build buildings, there are different ways to build nonfiction writing.
This is called Text Structures. Some times it is called Organizational Patterns.
Hey! What’s
nonfiction?

3. Why does Text Structure matter?
When writing you might have many facts swirling around in your head. Choosing a text structure will help your organize any essay and help make sense of your ideas.
If you are reading, recognizing the text structure will help you understand your reading.

4. 5 Types of Text Structure

5. White Board Practice Get a white board and a marker from the back.
We are going to practice reading the 5 different types of text structure. Each paragraph is about Alcatraz, which is an island that America sent its most dangerous criminals from
Here’s a video to see the island as it is now.
Read paragraphs together. Ask students to copy the graphic organizer on to their white boards and complete it using the information from the paragraph. Post the answers on the board with the P-pen.

6. Al Capone was a notorious gangster.
Description
During the 1920’s, Al Capone was a notorious gangster with a tight grip on the city of Chicago. He was a known criminal, specifically selling and distributing alcohol during Prohibition. He also committed other crimes such as gambling, drug trafficking, and murder.
Al Capone was a notorious gangster.
Highlight signal words. What specific person, place, things, event, or concept being described?

7. Problem and Solution
During the 1930’s, a crime wave hit the U.S. Robberies and murders were on the rise. Some criminals had become incredibly powerful; they were as famous as celebrities. The public felt that a “super-prison” was just what the country needed to solve the problem. Abandoned and isolated, Alcatraz seemed like the perfect place to lock up these criminals. So officials set out to build the most escape-proof prison in the nation.
Highlight signal words. What’s the problem? What solutions are recommended or attempted?

8. Compare and Contrast Prison
Before Alcatraz
Al Capone’s prison life changed drastically once he entered Alcatraz. In other prisons, he was used to special treatment and had luxurious furniture in his cell. He kept cash to bribe and tip guards and received frequent visits from friends, family, and even fellow gangsters. However, in Alcatraz, Capone was treated like every other prisoner and was only allowed limited visits from family members.
Prison
Highlight signal words. What is being compared? How are they the same? Different?
Alcatraz

9. Sequence/Chronological
Alcatraz first opened as a federal prison in August Prisons across the country were notified that Alcatraz was ready to take troublemakers off their hands. Then on August 19, 1934, 53 prisoners boarded a train in Atlanta, Georgia, for the long ride to California jail. By the end of the year, Alcatraz was housing more than 200 of America’s worst criminals. 1 2 3
Highlight signal words. Is this event happening over time? 4

10. The prison became to expensive to operate.
Cause and Effect
By 1963, the island prison Alcatraz had become too expensive to operate, so the government decided to shut it down. As a result, Alcatraz is now a landmark managed by the national park service. More than a million tourists visit each year, and about 100 species of birds call the island home.
Effect #1
Cause
The prison became to expensive to operate.
Effect #2
Highlight signal words. What happened? What are the effects?
Effect #3

11. Turn and Talk
How can you tell the difference between the 5 types of text structure?
Why might it be important to notice text structure while you are reading?

12. Text Structures Flipbook
Use the posters to help you create your text structures flipbook.
Then shade each large rectangle a different color. Cut the large rectangles apart. You will have 6 separate pieces of paper.
See the example for gluing instructions.

13. Task Card Scoot
Read each task card carefully. Identify the type of text structure and mark it on your sheet.
Listen to directions to SCOOT to the next desk.
Leave the task card at the desk! Take only your paper and your pencil with you as you rotate.

14. Extra, Extra! Think all about it!
Choose 3 topics that you would like to read.
Read each of the paragraphs on the page. Then answer the 4 questions on your sheet.
This will be a class work grade, so try your best.