In several different ways. Knowing the text structure (or the way something was written) will help you to read it. Each structure has KEY words, or clue words so you know what you need to get out of it. That includes your math, science, or other textbooks. Of course, one way (which I have not included in detail) is narrative structure. Much of what we read is written as a story, even if it’s nonfiction. That is maybe the easiest to identify, so I did not include it here… Nonfiction is written…

Provides information about a topic, concept, event, object, person, idea, etc. Connects ideas by listing important characteristics of the topic. This is the most common textbook organization. Clue Words: Several points most important Also in fact For instance for example Is involves Can be defined an example What descriptive texts can you name? Let’s write a descriptive paragraph together… Description

Description worksheets might look like this…

Puts facts, events, or concepts into a sequence, or time order. Gives steps in a process, or tells events in the order they happened (chronological order). Clue Words: On (date) not long after Now as Before after First when Second, third, etc. then Finally next Last during What examples can you think of? Let’s write a paragraph together… Sequence

Sequence worksheets might look like this…

Points out likenesses (comparing) and/or differences (contrasting) among facts, people, events, or concepts. Clue Words: Different from same as Alike (or like, unlike) similar to Unless but As well as on the other hand Although similarly Yet however Not only... but also either... or The difference between What examples can you think of? Let’s write a paragraph together… Comparison and Contrast

Compare & Contrast worksheets might look like this…  com

Shows how facts, events, or concepts (effects) happen or come into being because of other facts, events, or concepts (causes). Clue Words: So that because of Thus therefore Since in order to As a result of this led to Then reasons for If... then consequently An explanation for for this reason This led to on account of What examples can you think of? Let’s write a paragraph together… Cause and Effect

Cause & Effect worksheets might look like this…

Shows the development of a problem and one or more possible solutions. Clue Words: A problem is a solution is The problem is solved by An alternate is a possible answer A solution might be What examples can you think of? Let’s write an example together… Problem and Solution

Problem/Solution worksheets might look like this…

Poses a question for the reader and then proceeds to answer it. Clue Words: How when What where Why who How many the best estimate It could be that one may conclude What examples can you think of? Let’s write a paragraph together… Q & A

Q&A worksheets might look like this…

Name the text type for each sentence group… Let’s practice! Goose bumps make me shiver. When the temperature drops below 45 degrees, my skin crinkles into goose bumps. Goose bumps make me shiver. But they disappear as soon as I cover up with a jacket or sweater. What happens to people when they shiver? They get goose bumps. Some people get goose bumps from fear. Others get goose bumps when they are touched emotionally. Goose bumps make me shiver. I get little bumps on my skin. They look like sesame seeds. Goose bumps make me shiver. First I get cold. Then I shake all over.

THEN, use what you know about the text structures to write your own examples. I will assign you the structure. The topic is Love in Junior High… Your turn! First, in groups, look through one of your text books. Find an example of at least TWO of the text structures. What clue words did you see?