1. Understanding Text Structure
©Mauri Fava 2014
Understanding Text Structure
©Mauri Fava 2014

2. What is a text structure?
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What is a text structure?
Buildings are constructed and so are texts!
Text structure refers to the framework for a text or how it is organized.

3. Why is text structure important?
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Why is text structure important?
As a reader:
Understanding of text structure improves understanding of text.
As a writer:
Knowing the different ways to organize your ideas is an essential skill for a writer.

4. Six Most Common Text Structures
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Six Most Common Text Structures
Description/ Definition
Chronological order
Compare/Contrast
Cause/Effect
Problem/Solution
Sequential/ process

5. How can you identify text structure?
©Mauri Fava 2014
How can you identify text structure?
Signal Words
On the other hand…
For example…
Not long after
As a result…
One solution is…

6. Description / definition
Topic
Characteristic #1 1. 2. 3.
Characteristic #2

7. Descriptive Structure
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Descriptive Structure
Topic information is organized by characteristics, features, and examples.
Signal Words:
for example
in front of
for instance
beside
most important
near

8. Descriptive: find the signal words.
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Descriptive: find the signal words.
Chimpanzees are extremely intelligent. For example, they can use tools, shaping sticks to pull insects from logs and termite mounds. They also have a fairly complex system of communication. For instance, they use 30 different calls. Some chimps have even been taught to express their thoughts and feeling through American Sign Language.

9. Descriptive:
©Mauri Fava 2014
Chimpanzees are extremely intelligent. For example, they can use tools, shaping sticks to pull insects from logs and termites mounds. They also have a fairly complex system of communication. For instance, they use 30 different calls. Some chimps have even been taught to express their thoughts and feeling through American Sign Language.

10. Chronological order

11. Chronological Structure
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Chronological Structure
Topic information is organized by steps.
Signal Words:
Dates
Before that
Times
Several years later
Later

12. Chronological: find the signal words.
©Mauri Fava 2014
Chronological: find the signal words.
Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees has changed the world’s attitudes towards our closest cousins. In 1957, she first went to Africa to observe chimpanzees in the wild and discovered their ability to make tools. Several years later, Goodall learned more about chimp society, documenting its complexity and even its brutality. After many years of research, Goodall presented her observations in a the book, Shadow of Man. Her work showed the world the intelligence of chimpanzees.

13. ©Mauri Fava 2014
Chronological:
Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees has changed the world’s attitudes towards our closest cousins. In 1957, she first went to Africa to observe chimpanzees in the wild and discovered their ability to make tools. Several years later, Goodall learned more about chimp society, documenting its complexity and even its brutality. After many years of research, Goodall presented her observations in a the book, Shadow of Man. Her work showed the world the intelligence of chimpanzees.

14. Compare and Contrast
Things being compared
Differences
similarities

15. Compare/Contrast Structure
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Compare/Contrast Structure
Similarities and differences are presented.
Signal Words:
like
too
also
in contrast
unlike
however
as well as
both
but

16. Compare/Contrast: find the signal words.
©Mauri Fava 2014
Compare/Contrast: find the signal words.
Chimpanzees and humans are alike in many ways. Both humans and chimps have large brains and opposable thumbs. Similar to humans, chimps can use their intelligence and dexterity to create and use tools. But there are key differences between chimpanzees and humans. Chimpanzees are much stronger and lift more weight. Also, humans have a spoken language unlike chimps which do not have a vocal tract to produce speech.

17. ©Mauri Fava 2014
Compare/Contrast:
Chimpanzees and humans are alike in many ways. Both humans and chimps have large brains and opposable thumbs. Similar to humans, chimps can use their intelligence and dexterity to create and use tools. But there are key differences between chimpanzees and humans. Chimpanzees are much stronger and lift more weight. Also, humans have a spoken language unlike chimps which do not have a vocal tract to produce speech.

18. Robert James Fischer was born in Chicago but unlocked the secrets of chess in a Brooklyn apartment right above a candy store. At the age of 6 he taught himself to play by following the instruction booklet that came with his chess board. After spending much of his childhood in chess clubs, Fischer said that, “One day, I just got good.” That may be a bit of an understatement. At age 13, he won the U.E. Championship and became the youngest Junior Champion ever. At age 14, he won the U.S. Championship and became the youngest U.S. Champion in history

19. Test Yourself
What type of text structure was used to write the passage on Bobby Fischer?
Compare and contrast
Chronological
descriptive

20. All matter, all things can be changed in two ways: chemically and physically. Both chemical and physical changes affect the state of matter. Physical changes are those that do not change the make-up or identity of the matter. For example, clay will bend or flatten if squeezed, but it will still be clay. Changing the shape of clay is a physical change and does not change the matter’s identity. Chemical changes turn the matter into a new kind of matter with different properties. For example, when paper is burnt, it becomes ash and will never be paper again. The difference between them is that physical changes are temporary or only last for a little while, and chemical changes are permanent, which means they last for ever.

21. Test Yourself
What type of text structure was used to write the passage on chemical reactions?
Compare and contrast
Chronological
descriptive

22. The Space Needle was built in 1962 in Seattle, Washington for the World’s Fair. It is 605 feet tall from the ground to the aircraft warning beacon at the very top. Visitors can ride an elevator to the observation deck at 520 feet. They can also dine in a revolving restaurant near the top of the needle.

23. Test Yourself
What type of text structure was used to write the passage on the Space Needle?
Compare and contrast
Chronological
descriptive

24. Electricity can flow through some kinds of materials, but not through others. Materials that electricity can flow through are called conductors. By contrast, materials that electricity cannot flow through are called insulators. Plastic, glass, fabric, and wood are all insulators.

25. Test Yourself
What type of text structure was used to write the passage on electricity
Compare and contrast
Chronological
descriptive

26. Practice Time You will be assigned a group.
Each group will rotate through the stations.
At each station, you will read the passage and complete the graphic organizer.