1. Text Structure

2. What is text structure?
Text structure is the way the author organizes information in the text.
Fiction:
The author will use story elements…
-characters
-setting
-plot
-problem/solution
Non-Fiction
The author will use…
-cause/effect
-sequence
-description
-compare/contrast

3. How do I know? How do you know what the author is using?
Here are some signal questions and words that can help you?

4. What happened? Why did it happen? What caused it to happen?
Cause & Effect
Compare & Contrast
Sequence
Problem & Solution
Description
Cause is why something happened.
Effect is what happened.
Shows how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.
Describes items or events in order or tells the steps to follow to do something or make something
Tells about a problem (and sometimes says why there is a problem) then gives one or more possible solutions.
A topic, idea, person, place, or thing is described by listing its features, characteristics, or examples.
What happened? Why did it happen? What caused it to happen?
What things are being compared? In what ways are
they alike? In what ways are they different?
What items, events, or steps are listed? Do they have to happen in this order? Do they always happen in this order?
What is the problem? Why is this a problem? Is anything being done to try to solve the problem? What can be done to solve the problem?
What specific topic, person, idea, or thing is being described? How is it being described (what does it look like, how does it work, what does it do, etc.)? What is important to remember about it? So
Because
Since
Therefore
If…then
This led to
Reason why
As a result
May be due to
Effect of
Consequently
For this reason
Same as
Similar
Alike
As well as
Not only…but also
Both
Instead of
Either…or
On the other hand
Different from
As opposed to
First
Second
Next
Then
Before
After
Finally
Following
Not long after
Now
Soon
Question is…
Dilemma is…
The puzzle is…
To solve this…
One answer is…
One reason for the
problem is…
For instance
Such as…
To begin with
An example
To illustrate
Characteristics

5. Example of Text Structure
Cause and Effect:
We observed the crocodile as it stalked a raccoon moving through the moonlight toward the edge of the water. As a result of a noise we made, the raccoon bolted...
What words show cause and effect?
Compare and Contrast:
The power of the crocodile is like that of a monstrous machine. With one lunge it can destroy its prey and protect the kill from other predators.
What words show compare and contrast?

6. Examples of text Structure…
Sequence:
Archaeologists have helped us to understand that the evolution of the crocodile began with ..
What words show sequence?
Problem/Solution:
One problem to resolve in crocodile watching is transportation. How can an observer get close enough to watch without scaring it away or being attacked?
What words show Problem/Solution?
Description:
The crocodile is the master of deception in the water. It stalks its prey and then swiftly closes in for the kill.
What words show description?

7. What next? Text Features
After determining the author’s purpose for a text, take a look at the text features.
Text Features
Fiction
Non-Fiction
-Title
-Chapter Index (for chapter books)
-Illustrations
-Bold Print
-Paragraphing
-Dialogue
-Table of Contents
-Index
-Photos &Captions
-Diagrams
-Glossary
-Headings
-Sub Titles

8. Fiction- Get out your AR books. See if you can find these things.
Title
Chapter Index
Illustrations
Bold Print
Paragraphing
Dialogue

9. Non Fiction- Using your Imagine It. Book and stories
Non Fiction- Using your Imagine It! Book and stories. See if you can find these things.
Index
Table of Contents
Title
Photos and Captions
Diagrams
Glossary
Bold Prints
Heading
Sub Titles

10. Fiction Vs Non Fiction Fiction Non Fiction Structure Features
-characters
-setting
-plot
-problem/solution
-Title
-Chapter Index (for chapter books)
-Illustrations
-Bold Print
-Paragraphing
-Dialogue
Structure
Features
-cause/effect
-sequence
-problem/solution
-description
-compare/contrast
-Title
-Table of Contents
-Index
-Photos &Captions
-Diagrams
-Glossary
-Headings
-Sub Titles