1. Text Structures

2. What are text structures?
Refers to how the information within a text or passage is organized.
When students understand the structure of the text, they know how ideas are arranged and know what to expect from the text. This knowledge then aids students in understanding the relationships of information within the passage. Making these connections is vital in comprehension and learning from information presented in the text.

3. Why are they important? Helps determine: What is the main idea?
What did the text say?
After reading the text for the first time, it is important to think about what the main idea of the article is. Try to think of three supporting details to that main idea. Then think, how did the text say it? Or what text structures were used. Text structures can help identify the key ideas of the passage.
Key words can signal the type of text structure the author is using, so students recognize the organization of information and relationships between ideas; however, students should also be able to make judgments about why an author chose a specific text structure. Students also need to be aware that an author may use more than one text structure in a passage.

4. Five Different Structures
Cause & Effect
Problem & Solution
Description
Compare &
Contrast
Sequence

5. Description
Ask yourself: what specific person, place, thing, or idea is being described.
Such as
For instance
In addition
Also
Specifically
This text structure is when descriptive details are being used to describe a specific person, place, thing, or idea.
Look for topic word or phrase and for synonyms.

6. Problem & Solution Solution Problem Idea Issue So Since Leads to
As a result
Solution
Idea So
Leads to
Causes
This text structure highlights a problem and then gives one or more solutions to the problem. A problem is what is wrong (a challenge or obstacle) and the solution is how the problem is fixed or resolved.
Look for the problem first, then the solution.

7. Compare & Contrast Similar Same Alike Both As well Unlike
As opposed to
On the other hand
In contrast
Instead
This text is organized in a way that you can look at two or more items to establish similarities or differences.
Ask yourself: What is being compared? How are they the same? How are they different?

8. Cause & Effect Ask yourself: What happened and why did it happen?
Since
Because If
Due to
As a result of
Causes
Leads to
Consequently
Then
Therefore
Ask yourself: What happened and why did it happen?
The cause and effect structure shows what triggers certain events to happen.
Remember you are looking for a cause, not a solution.

9. Sequence First Second Next Then Following 3. 2. 1.
Sequence text structure organizes steps or events that take place over time.
Look for steps or references to time such as dates.
Ask yourself: Is this event taking place over time?

10. Example
Today more people are connected to the internet than ever before, not only at home, but also on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Many of these people now get their news from the internet rather than reading the newspapers. As a consequence, many newspapers have gone out of business.
What text structure is used in the paragraph? Cause and Effect
What signal words help you figure out the text structure?

11. Example
Electricity can flow through some kinds of materials, but not through others. Materials that electricity can flow through are called conductors. Metal and water are both conductors. By contrast, materials that electricity cannot flow through are called insulators. Plastic, glass, fabric, and wood are all insulators.
What text structure is used in the paragraph? Compare and Contrast
What signal words help you figure out the text structure?

12. Example
I do my chores each Saturday. First, I fold the laundry and put it away. Then i sweep and mop the kitchen floor. After that, I empty all the garbage cans and the recyclings. Finally, when all of my chores are finished, I can go outside and play.
What text structure is used in the paragraph? Sequence
What signal words help you figure out the text structure?

13. Example
Beagles are medium sized members of the hound family. Beagles generally make good pets because they are intelligent, good-natured, and good with children. Beagles are also quite playful and need a great deal of exercise.
What text structure is used in the paragraph? Description
What signal words help you figure out the text structure?

14. Example
Do you ever forget to bring your completed homework to school? This can be so frustrating when you know you did your homework, but it won’t count since you can’t turn it in on time. One way to prevent this issue is to put your homework in your backpack as soon as you finish it. Another solution is to leave yourself a note on the door.
What text structure is used in the paragraph? Problem and Solution
What signal words help you figure out the text structure?