Reading Informational Texts Patterns of Organization – a.k.a. Text Structure

Reading any type of writing is easier once you recognize how it is organized Writers usually arrange ideas and information in ways that best help readers see how they are related There are several common patterns of organization (text structures): Main idea and supporting details Chronological order Cause-effect organization Compare-contrast organization Problem-solution order

Main Idea and Supporting Details A central idea about a topic is supported by details Main (central) idea is the most important idea about a topic Supporting details are words, phrases, or sentences that tell more about the main idea Main idea may be stated or implied Where is the main idea located in a paragraph? (p. R16)

Let’s Practice! – p.R17 #1-2

Chronological Order The arrangement of events in the order in which they happen Used in short stories, novels, historical writing, biographies, and autobiographies Look for key words such as before, after, next, and later Also look for time words and phrases such as the next morning, Tuesday, and on July 4, 1776

Let’s Practice! – p.R17-18 #1-3

Cause-Effect Organization Shows causal relationships between events, ideas, and trends May be directly stated or implied Often used in historical and scientific writing

Let’s Practice! – p.R18 #2

Compare-Contrast Organization Looks at similarities and differences in two or more subjects A writer may compare the important points or characteristics of two or more subjects – called points of comparison Point by point organization Subject by subject organization

Let’s Practice! – p.R21 #1-2

Problem-Solution Order A problem is stated and analyzed and then one or more solutions are proposed and examined Often used in persuasive writing

Let’s Practice! – p.R22 #1-2