Text Structures One Story-Five Ways

Okay, we know by now that when an author writes a passage or text, he or she chooses a text structure. That is the specific way that the author organizes his or her text. Let’s talk about 5 different kinds of text structures. Which should we start with?

Okay! Sequential order! Sequential order uses transition words to tell a story in TIME ORDER. It just tells a story in a logical order. Let’s tell a story about a puppy getting lost and his owner finding him using sequential order. Look for key words that help you recognize that this the author is using the sequential order text structure.

First, the puppy ran out the door suddenly. Grant tried to stop little Sparky, but Sparky was too fast. After waiting for hours for Sparky to return, Grant finally decided to make lost dog posters. Then all he could do was wait.

Did you find any words that helped you to see that this was written using sequential order? Look at the story again and list them.

What words did you find? First, suddenly, after, finally, and then These are called TRANSITION WORDS. They help you to see the order of time. They are used often when writing in sequential order. There are many others: ABRUPTLY, NEXT, BEFORE, WHILE,etc. Can you think of any others that you have seen in your reading texts?

Text Structure #2-Descriptive! This text structure uses vivid words to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. The more specific and vivid, the better the writer explains and uses as many senses as possible to explain, the better! Let’s retell the same story using a descriptive text structure. Look for vivid, descriptive words that put that picture in your mind! List them as you read.

The fuzzy brown and white puppy scampered quickly out the front door. Young Grant tried to stop little Sparky, but Sparky was too fast. Grant anxiously awaited Sparky’s return. He sobbed quietly in the rocking chair until the golden sun finally set. But still there was no sweet Sparky. That’s when Grant made the bold decision to create many lost dog posters. Then all he could do was wait patiently.

Which words did you find that helped you identify this text structure as descriptive? Fuzzy, brown, white, scampered, quickly, front door, young, little, too fast, anxiously awaited Sparky’s return, sobbed quietly, rocking chair, golden sun, sweet Sparky, bold decision, create, many, wait patiently There are many, many descriptive words! Can you think of any? Look for them in your own text when identifying your text structure.

Now, let’s talk about a third text structure: Cause and Effect. Cause and effect is when something happens and it makes or causes something else to happen as a result. It is a 1-2 event. The cause always happens first, and the result always happens next. Again, there are certain key words that can help us identify this text structure. Look for them and write them down as you read. Let’s try the same story again using this text structure.

Because Grant left the door open, his dog Sparky ran out. When Sparky out ran Grant, Grant had to give up. So he made lost dog signs.

Did you find any words that helped you identify the cause and effect relationships? Because, when, and so There are others like: As a result, the effect was, when and then, and many more Look for them as you read your own stories.

Our next text structure is simple procedure or procedural. This text structure lists the steps of something. Think of the steps to making a cake! Most procedural text is informational text because it is written to inform the reader using facts. The reader usually learns or can do something after reading something written in this text structure. For example, in our lost puppy story, Grant made a lost dog poster. How could we turn this into a simple procedure?

1. Get a poster board. 2. Write “lost dog” in big letters. 3. Describe your dog. 4. Put your phone number on the sign. 5. Hang the sign where many people can see it.

What are some other examples of simple procedures an author could write about?

Our last text structure is compare and contrast. When we compare and contrast we are saying how things are alike (compare) and how they are different (contrast). If our author were writing dialogue between Grant and people who may have seen his puppy, she might use this text structure. Look for key words that help you to identify this text structure, too.

“Is this your puppy?” asked one older lady, standing in her door way, holding a small fuzzy bundle. “No,” replied Grant. “That puppy is all white. My puppy is white, too. On the other hand, my puppy also has brown on him.” “Are you sure? I just found it in your neighborhood.” “He is small and fuzzy like my puppy, however, unlike my dog, he has short ears and a short tail.”

Could you find key words that express how the two puppies were compared and contrasted? Too, like, unlike, on the other hand There are others. See how many you can find in your own reading!

One last important note about text structures When reading, look for text structures, or how the author organizes his or her writing, but beware: you may find more than one type of text structure in a passage or book. You might find all five! Confused? If you are trying to decide which one the author has used, just look for key words and think about OVERALL how did the author try to organize things.

OVERALL, if the author was trying to teach you something using steps, which text structure would that be?

SIMPLE PROCEDURE! If the author were really trying to put a picture in your mind, which text structure would that be?

DESCRPTIVE If the author wanted you to understand that something happened that made something else happen, which text structure would that be?

CAUSE AND EFFECT If the author were trying to show you how things were alike and/or different, which text structure would that be?

COMPARE AND CONTRAST If the author were trying to show you that something happened in a specific and logical time order, which text structure would that be?

SEQUENTIAL ORDER Have fun analyzing text structures in your own reading and using them in your writing. Don’t forget those key words to help you!