1. Organizational Text Structures

2. What are text structures?
Text structure refers to the way ideas are related to help convey a message to a reader
Text structures are used to help make reading nonfiction texts easier

3. The patterns in text structure are:
Cause/effect- showing how facts, events, or concepts happen or come into being because of other facts.
Problem/solution- showing the development of a problem and the solutions to that problem.
Signal words: because, since, therefore, consequently, as a result, this led to, if…then, accordingly, nevertheless, so that, thus

4. The patterns in text structure are:
Comparison/contrast- pointing out similarities and differences among facts, people, events, and concepts.
Signal words: however, but, as well as, on the other hand, not only…but also, either…or, in spite of, although, yet, unless, while, except
Generalization- A statement about a whole group
Signal words: all, always, in fact

5. The patterns in text structure are:
Chronological/sequential- putting facts, events, or concepts into a sequence or into an order
Signal words: on (date), not long after, now, as, before, after, when first, second, then, finally
Enumeration or listing- listing of facts or events in no special order
Signal words: also, another, several
Concept/definition- providing an explanation of a concept or topic by using synonyms to describe it
Signal words: described as, synonymous with, is, equals, means, in other words

6. Internal Text Structures
Chronological or sequential
Ex: timelines, records or historical events
Comparison and contrast
Ex: looking at the similarities and differences between two things such as a novel to the movie
Cause and effect
Ex: history and science books
Problem and solution
Generalization
Ex: advertisements and editorials
Enumeration or listing
Ex: grocery listing of examples
Concept and definition
Ex: textbooks and encyclopedias
Process
Ex: cookbooks and how-to books

7. External Text Structures
External text structures are the additions added to texts to help the reader understand information with more ease. They are found outside the main body of the text.
Examples:
Italics
Bold or colored print
Underlining
Indention
Sidebars (columns on the sides of pages)
Illustrations, graphics, and photography
Headings and subheadings
Footnotes and annotations

8. Identify which type of text structure each of the below passages are examples of Compare/contrast, Problem/solution, Cause and effect, Sequence
________ John F. Kennedy was a Democratic candidate for President when in October 1960 he first suggested there should be a Peace Corps. After he was elected, Kennedy asked his brother-in-law, Sergeant Shriver, to help set up a Peace Corps. Not long after, in March 1961, Kennedy gave an order to create the organization. It wasn’t until September of that year that the Congress approved the Peace Corps and appropriated money to run it for one year.
________ Castles were built for defense, not comfort. In spite of some books and movies that have made them attractive, castles were cold, dark, gloomy placed to live. Rooms were small and not the least bit charming. Except for the great central hall or the kitchen, there were no fires to keep the rooms heated. Not only was there a lack of furniture, but also what there was tended to be uncomfortable.

9. Identify which type of text structure each of the below passages are examples of Compare/contrast, Problem/solution, Cause and effect, Sequence
________ The fire was started by sparks from the campfire left by a careless camper. Consequently, thousands of acres of important watershed burned before the fire was brought under control. As a result of the fire, trees and the grasslands on the slopes of the valley were gone. Therefore, smoking black stumps were all that remained of tall pine trees.
________ The skyrocketing price of oil in the 1970s created a serious problem for many Americans. The oil companies responded to the high cost of purchasing oil by searching for new oil supplies. This resulted in new deposits being found in some Third World nations, such as Nigeria. Oil companies also began drilling for oil in the ocean floor; thus, scientists discovered ways to extract oil from a rock known as oil shale.