1. Text Structures
Informational Text

2. What are text structures?
Text structures are organizational patterns for informational texts.
Authors use certain text structures to help their audience better understand the information presented.

3. What are the types of informational text structures?
The most common are:
CAUSE AND EFFECT
COMPARE/CONTRAST
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
SEQUENCE/CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
DESCRIPTION

4. CAUSE AND EFFECT Definition
Author presents facts or ideas as causes and the resulting effects

5. CAUSE AND EFFECT signal words/phrases
As a result
Because
Consequently
For this reason
If…then
Since
Therefore

6. COMPARE/CONTRAST Definition
Compares and contrasts specific elements of two or more things; how are they alike and different

7. COMPARE/CONTRAST signal words/phrases
Alike
As opposed to
Different
In common
On the other hand
Similar

8. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION Definition
Describes a problem and its solution(s)

9. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION signal words/phrases
Affect
As a result
Because
Consequently
For this reason
If…then
Since
therefore

10. SEQUENCE/ CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER Definition
Author lists events in chronological order based on time

11. SEQUENCE/CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER signal words/phrases
First
Next
Last
Then
After
Before
Later

12. DESCRIPTION Definition
Author describes a topic by listing characteristics, facts, attributes or examples

13. DESCRIPTION signal words/phrases
for example
characteristics
for instance
such as
is like
including
to illustrate

14. TEXT STRUCTURE GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS
..\1st 9 Weeks\Thinking Maps.ppt

15. Let’s Practice
Read the following passage. Determine the text structure and explain how it contributes to the overall development of ideas.

16. In the game of volleyball, players hit a ball over a long net that stretches across a court. There are twelve players on the court at one time—six players per team.
The game of tennis is similar to volleyball in that a ball is hit over a long net on a court, but this is all the two sports have in common. In tennis, the ball is hit with a racquet, and only two or four players are on the court at one time.

17. In your small groups, discuss the following prompts
In your small groups, discuss the following prompts. You may use your guided notes as a resource.
1. Determine the text structure of the passage.
2. Explain what clues led you to determine that text structure.

18. Now it’s your turn!
Your teacher will distribute an Informational Text Structures practice sheet to you.
Read each of the passages, highlight signal words/phrases, and determine the text structure for each one.
Be prepared to discuss as a class.