Text Structure
What is text structure? Text structure is the way the author organizes information in the text. Fiction: The author will use story elements… -characters -setting -plot -problem/solution Non-Fiction The author will use… -cause/effect -sequence -description -compare/contrast
How do I know? How do you know what the author is using? Here are some signal questions and words that can help you?
What happened? Why did it happen? What caused it to happen? Cause & Effect Compare & Contrast Sequence Problem & Solution Description Cause is why something happened. Effect is what happened. Shows how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different. Describes items or events in order or tells the steps to follow to do something or make something Tells about a problem (and sometimes says why there is a problem) then gives one or more possible solutions. A topic, idea, person, place, or thing is described by listing its features, characteristics, or examples. What happened? Why did it happen? What caused it to happen? What things are being compared? In what ways are they alike? In what ways are they different? What items, events, or steps are listed? Do they have to happen in this order? Do they always happen in this order? What is the problem? Why is this a problem? Is anything being done to try to solve the problem? What can be done to solve the problem? What specific topic, person, idea, or thing is being described? How is it being described (what does it look like, how does it work, what does it do, etc.)? What is important to remember about it? So Because Since Therefore If…then This led to Reason why As a result May be due to Effect of Consequently For this reason Same as Similar Alike As well as Not only…but also Both Instead of Either…or On the other hand Different from As opposed to First Second Next Then Before After Finally Following Not long after Now Soon Question is… Dilemma is… The puzzle is… To solve this… One answer is… One reason for the problem is… For instance Such as… To begin with An example To illustrate Characteristics
Example of Text Structure Cause and Effect: 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... What words show cause and effect? Compare and Contrast: 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. What words show compare and contrast?
Examples of text Structure… Sequence: Archaeologists have helped us to understand that the evolution of the crocodile began with .. What words show sequence? Problem/Solution: 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? What words show Problem/Solution? Description: The crocodile is the master of deception in the water. It stalks its prey and then swiftly closes in for the kill. What words show description?
What next? Text Features After determining the author’s purpose for a text, take a look at the text features. Text Features Fiction Non-Fiction -Title -Chapter Index (for chapter books) -Illustrations -Bold Print -Paragraphing -Dialogue -Table of Contents -Index -Photos &Captions -Diagrams -Glossary -Headings -Sub Titles
Fiction- Get out your AR books. See if you can find these things. Title Chapter Index Illustrations Bold Print Paragraphing Dialogue
Non Fiction- Using your Imagine It. Book and stories Non Fiction- Using your Imagine It! Book and stories. See if you can find these things. Index Table of Contents Title Photos and Captions Diagrams Glossary Bold Prints Heading Sub Titles
Fiction Vs Non Fiction Fiction Non Fiction Structure Features -characters -setting -plot -problem/solution -Title -Chapter Index (for chapter books) -Illustrations -Bold Print -Paragraphing -Dialogue Structure Features -cause/effect -sequence -problem/solution -description -compare/contrast -Title -Table of Contents -Index -Photos &Captions -Diagrams -Glossary -Headings -Sub Titles