1. Text Organization

2. Writers organize text in different ways, depending on their purpose. Sequence Description Problem and Solution Question and Answer Cause and Effect Comparison and Contrast First, open the jar. Next, take out a pickle. Last, eat the pickle. Sweet pickles and dill pickles taste different, but both are made from cucumbers. When Lee bit into the pickle, the sour taste made his face pucker. What is a pickle? It is a cucumber soaked in vinegar and spices. The lid of the pickle jar was stuck. Amanda had to use the jar opener to pry it open. The pickle booth at the fair was incredible. Hundreds of glass jars lined the shelves, containing every possible shade of green.

3. Text Organization Sequence (chronological order) is a way to organize text where the writer places events in the order in which they happen. The writer often uses words such as first, then, next, later, after, before, and finally. Text organized by Sequence We started getting ready for the reunion picnic yesterday. First, I made coleslaw. After I was finished, I made the iced tea. Next, my mother made fried chicken. Then we put all of the swimming gear in the car. Finally, we loaded the picnic basket in the car and we were on our way.

4. Text Organization Comparison and Contrast is a way to organize text where things are compared to show how they are alike and contrasted to show how they are different. Writers often use words such as best, better, more, less, worse, easier, as, and than. Text organized by Comparison and Contrast My brothers and I have always gone swimming in the lake, but some kids say it’s more fun to go to the new swimming pool. They think the pool is better because it’s newer and cleaner. But we think it’s worse because too many people go to the pool. Kids who go to the new pool say it’s easier to get there, but we still think swimming in a lake is more fun.

5. Text Organization Cause and Effect is a way to organize text so it tells how or why one thing leads to another. A cause is the reason something happens, and an effect is the result of the cause. Text organized by Cause and Effect My mother comes from a big family, so it’s difficult to get everyone in the same place at the same time. Because they like to still stay in touch, each year they plan a big family reunion picnic. Since everyone attends, we always have a huge group at the picnic. Writers often use words like since, because, so, therefore, and as a result.

6. Text Organization Question and Answer is a way to organize text where the writer presents the topic in the form of a question and tries to answer the question. Text organized by Question and Answer Is keeping up the tradition of a family reunion worth all the effort? Some people have to come from far away, which is expensive. The reunion is a lot of work because everyone has to help cook and clean up. However, once we’re all together, everyone says that it’s definitely worth the trouble because we have such a good time!

7. Text Organization Problem and Solution is a way to organize text where the writer presents the topic in the form of a problem that needs to be solved. First, the problem is described. Text organized by Problem and Solution The park has not been kept up well in the past few years, and some members of our family think we should find another place for our annual reunion picnic. The solution might be to pressure the city to take better care of the park. If the city would plan a clean-up, it would benefit many families besides our own. Then a solution to the problem is proposed and explained. Writers often use words such as problem, solution, solve, and plan.

8. Text Organization Description is a way to organize text where the writer describes a person, place, or thing. The writer gives descriptive details and uses adjectives to tell about people and events. Text organized by Description At the park, we put our fabulous assortment of food out on the picnic tables. There was one whole table of delicious main courses, another table of colorful and healthy salads, and a table of everyone’s favorite: rich desserts. Next to the food we had a separate table with every refreshing cold drink you could imagine.

9. Text Organization A. sequence B. question and answer C. cause and effect 1. If a text uses the words because, since, and therefore, it is most likely organized by D. description A. narration B. problem and solution C. comparison and contrast 2. If a text tells about the way two things are alike and different, it is most likely organized by D. cause and effect

10. Text Organization A. sequence B. question and answer C. cause and effect 1. If a text uses the words because, since, and therefore, it is most likely organized by D. description A. narration B. problem and solution C. comparison and contrast 2. If a text tells about the way two things are alike and different, it is most likely organized by D. cause and effect

11. Guided Practice with Text Organization Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. To plant the new peach tree, we dug a big hole. Next, we put in a layer of compost. On top of that layer, we added a layer of peat moss. We placed the little tree in the hole and filled the hole with dirt. Then, we put small rocks on top of the dirt. Finally, we watered our new tree.

12. Guided Practice with Text Organization A. We filled the hole with dirt. B. We watered the tree. C. We put on a layer of peat moss. 1. What is the last thing that happens in the passage? D. We put rocks on the dirt. A. We placed the little tree in the hole. B. We added a layer of peat moss. C. Then, we put small rocks on top of the dirt. 2. Which phrase has a word that gives a clue about the way the text is organized? D. We dug a big hole.

13. Guided Practice with Text Organization Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. Two kinds of snakes that are often confused are the corn snake and the copperhead. The copperhead is pinkish tan with brown markings. The corn snake looks similar to the copperhead but is usually more brightly colored. The corn snake is less aggressive than the copperhead, but neither is very aggressive. The most important difference is that the copperhead is poisonous and the corn snake is harmless.

14. Guided Practice with Text Organization A. cause and effect B. question and answer C. problem and solution 3. In what way did the writer organize this text? D. comparison and contrast A. markings B. difference C. snake 4. Which word from the passage gives a clue about the way the text is organized? D. harmless

15. Guided Practice with Text Organization A. We filled the hole with dirt. B. We watered the tree. C. We put on a layer of peat moss. 1. What is the last thing that happens in the passage? D. We put rocks on the dirt. A. We placed the little tree in the hole. B. We added a layer of peat moss. C. Then, we put small rocks on top of the dirt. 2. Which phrase has a word that gives a clue about the way the text is organized? D. We dug a big hole.

16. Guided Practice with Text Organization A. cause and effect B. question and answer C. problem and solution 3. In what way did the writer organize this text? D. comparison and contrast A. markings B. difference C. snake 4. Which word from the passage gives a clue about the way the text is organized? D. harmless

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