1. Nonfiction Text Structures
A key to understanding nonfiction texts

2. Text structure is the way a text is organized.
What is text structure?
Text structure is the way a text is organized.

3. Text structures make the main idea & author’s purpose more clear.
Why is it important?
Authors organize information in a particular text structure to help the reader understand what they are reading.
Text structures make the main idea & author’s purpose more clear.

4. Sequence/ Chronological Order

5. What is Sequence/ Chronological Order Text Structure?
The text structure of sequence, or chronological order, tells the order in which events occur.
Clues:
Transition words such as first, next, then, last
Years
Numbers

6. Let’s Practice!
In the spring, toads lay their eggs in ponds, lakes, and puddles. Then, tiny tadpoles come out of the eggs. The tadpoles live in the water for the next several weeks. Next, the tadpoles start to develop back legs, and then front legs. Finally, the tadpoles lose their tails. They are ready to come out of the water–as tiny, tiny, toads!
How toads grow up
Turn & Talk: What is the main idea of this text?
Be sure to provide evidence.

7. Let’s Practice!
In the spring, toads lay their eggs in ponds, lakes, and puddles. Then, tiny tadpoles come out of the eggs. The tadpoles live in the water for the next several weeks. Next, the tadpoles start to develop back legs, and then front legs. Finally, the tadpoles lose their tails. They are ready to come out of the water–as tiny, tiny, toads!
Then,
How toads grow up
Next,
Finally,
Identifying Text Structure: What words does the author use to connect the information in the text? Highlight & discuss with partner.

8. Thinking Maps to Identify Text Structure
Remember: Thinking Maps are a resource that readers can use to help better understand a text.
Which thinking map best organizes the information in this sequence/chronological text?

9. Cause & Effect

10. What is Cause & Effect Text Structure?
The text structure of cause and effect tells what happened (cause) and the result of it (effect).
Clues:
Because (of this), if, when, so, as a result

11. Changing Water Levels Destroy Sand Castles
Let’s Practice!
Sand castles do not last long on an ocean beach. The water levels change with the tide. When the tide is low, the waves don’t come all the way up the beach. When the tide “comes in” at high tide, the water comes farther up the beach. As a result, sand castles get destroyed by the strong waves.
Changing Water Levels Destroy Sand Castles
What is the main idea of this text?

12. Changing Water Levels Destroy Sand Castles
Let’s Practice!
Sand castles do not last long on an ocean beach. The water levels change with the tide. When the tide is low, the waves don’t come all the way up the beach. When the tide “comes in” at high tide, the water comes farther up the beach. As a result, sand castles get destroyed by the strong waves.
When
Changing Water Levels Destroy Sand Castles
When
As a
result
Identifying Text Structure: What words does the author use to organize the in the text? Highlight & discuss with partner.

13. Thinking Maps to Identify Text Structure
Remember: Thinking Maps are a resource that readers can use to help better understand a text.
Which thinking map best organizes the information in this cause & effect text?

14. Problem & Solution

15. What is Problem & Solution Text Structure?
The text structure of problem and solution introduces a problem and describes how it can be or is solved.
Clues:
Problem, Solution, Solved, Resolution

16. Greenhouses help farmers grow food all year
Let’s Practice!
In northern areas, the weather is too cold to grow crops all year long. But some farmers have found a way to grow food all year. A greenhouse is a special building that stays warm in the winter. Crops like lettuce and basil can grow well in the greenhouse, even when the weather is cold!
Greenhouses help farmers grow food all year
What is the main idea of this text?

17. Let’s Practice! In northern areas, the weather is too cold to
In northern areas, the weather is too cold to grow crops all year long. But some farmers have found a way to grow food all year. A greenhouse is a special building that stays warm in the winter. Crops like lettuce and basil can grow well in the greenhouse, even when the weather is cold!
In northern areas, the weather is too cold to
grow crops all year long.
Farmers grow food all year
A greenhouse
is a special building that stays warm in the winter.
Identifying Text Structure: How do you know that this text is organized in problem and solution text structure? Highlight & discuss with partner.

18. Thinking Maps to Identify Text Structure
Remember: Thinking Maps are a resource that readers can use to help better understand a text.
Which thinking map best organizes the information in this cause & effect text?