Five Major Text Structures Basic question to answer first: What is a structure? Imagine your story as a building. Text Structures = the way that the details of the story are “arranged” or “built”

1. Sequencing Definition: details told as a sequential chain of chronological events. One event does not directly cause a second event to occur. Key words: sequence words such as “first,” “second,” “third,” “next,” “then,” “finally…” Example in words: The sequence of brushing your teeth: First you get the brush Next you add some toothpaste Then you put water on the brush…

First you take the peanuts and you smoosh ‘em, you smoosh ‘em… Example in Pictures… First you take the peanuts and you smoosh ‘em, you smoosh ‘em… Then you get the bread and you cut it, you cut it… Then you get the jelly and you spread it, you spread it… Then you get the peanuts and you spread ‘em, you spread ‘em… Peanut, Peanut Butter and Jelly!

Example in graphic organizer: 1 2 3

2. Description Definition: the details of the story are arranged to depict something – to create a mental picture. Key words: for example, looks/tastes/feels like, any vivid adjectives Example in words: “Its trunk was but a wizened arm, its branches bony fingers grasping vainly at the winter sky.” “… a quivery head, rabid eyes, a dragon's stare, distended belly, hands like talons ready to tear… what else does it all present but a monster?”

Example in Pictures…

Example in graphic organizer What it sounds like Where it comes from What color is it item to describe How long it lasts/ lives How big it is What it feels like What it tastes like Where you can find it

3. Compare-Contrast Definition: two or more things are being compared to show how they are similar and contrasted to show how they are different. Key Words: similarities, differences, put side by side, distinction, like, unlike Example in words: Baseball is different from soccer in that players may touch the ball with their hands while in soccer they cannot. Basketball is similar to soccer in that the objective is to move a single ball into a goal.

Examples in pictures very tall very small one eyebrow two eyebrows

Examples in graphic organizers: T-Chart Venn Diagram Pros Cons

4. Cause-Effect Definition: when one event causes another to happen. The result of the first is the effect. Key Words: so then, led to happen, began, because Example in words: Because Herbert asked his parents for a new xBox, he received one for his birthday. Since Missy didn’t study for her algebra test, she completely failed. Because she completely failed, her mother grounded her forever and ever.

Because Mrs. Scott slipped on a banana peel… Example in Pictures: Because Mrs. Scott slipped on a banana peel… …she then had a broken leg and had to wear a cast… … which led to her having to quit the swim team.

Example in graphic organizers THIS caused… THAT so then… THIS

5. Problem-Solution Definition: a story which begins with a problem and ends with a solution. The solution is not necessarily happy. Key Words: conflict, resolution Example in words: A man contracts a strange Nile River disease and in the end, he takes antibiotics and survives. A girl sees a painting being stolen, and by the end of the story, has figured out whodunnit.

Example in pictures: Problem: flat tire Solution: pump it up

Example in graphic organizers: