1. How is informational text organized?

2. Writers use different organizational patterns to present information in a way that makes sense to the reader. This organizational pattern is often referred to as text structure. The topic, as well as the purpose for writing, helps the writer decide which pattern to use. Here are some of the text structures we learn in fifth grade. Chronological Text Structure Comparison-and-Contrast Text Structure Cause-and-Effect Text Structure Problem-and-Solution Text Structure When we understand text structure, we can better understand informational text.

3. Chronological Text Structure Authors sometimes organize their writing in chronological order. Chronological order is the order in which things happen. It is also called time order. Signal words can help you identify the type of text structure being used. Common signal words used in texts using chronological text structure are: to begin before first continue then next later final Dates such as 1939 or March 7, 2010 and ages of people mentioned in the text are also helpful cues to determine the order of events.

4. Comparison-and-Contrast Text Structure Authors sometimes organize their writing by comparison and contrast. When you compare and contrast two or more people, places, events, or things, you find ways in which they are alike or different. Signal words can help you identify the type of text structure being used. Writing that uses comparison-and-contrast text structure often includes these common signal words: like both also although but more while however

5. Cause-and-Effect Text Structure Authors sometimes organize their writing by cause and effect. A cause is why something happens. To determine the cause, ask “Why did it happen?” An effect is what happens. To determine the effect, ask “What happened?” Signal words can help you identify the type of text structure being used. Writing that uses cause-and-effect text structure often includes these common signal words: because since as a result thus for this reason in order to if…then

6. Problem-and-Solution Text Structure Authors sometimes organize their writing by problem and solution. The author will present a problem that needs to be solved. A problem can be between individuals or groups, or it might relate to something that is going on in the world. A problem might even occur with just one person. Identifying the problem and solution will help you understand the text better. Signal words can help you identify the type of text structure being used. Writing that uses problem-and-solution text structure often includes these common signal words: the problem as a result resolved the solution difficult help

7. When you compare and contrast text structures you are better able to think more deeply about the events, ideas, concepts, and information presented in different texts. Let’s take a look at some examples…

8. Hurricane Andrew was one of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States. Andrew first formed in the warm waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean. To begin with, the storm had winds of only 40 miles per hour. As the storm continued to move over the warm ocean, it gained energy and grew stronger. When the wind speed reached 74 miles per hour, the storm was officially a hurricane and was named Andrew. Then Andrew’s winds climbed to 175 miles per hour! Next, heavy rain moved onshore as Andrew made landfall in southern Florida. Seven inches of rain fell, and storm tides were as high as 17 feet. Hurricane Andrew caused significant destruction to property in the United States. Final damages eventually totaled $25 billion. How is this passage organized? Can you find signal words to prove your answer?

9. Hurricane Andrew was one of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States. Andrew first formed in the warm waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean. To begin with, the storm had winds of only 40 miles per hour. As the storm continued to move over the warm ocean, it gained energy and grew stronger. When the wind speed reached 74 miles per hour, the storm was officially a hurricane and was named Andrew. Then Andrew’s winds climbed to 175 miles per hour! Next, heavy rain moved onshore as Andrew made landfall in southern Florida. Seven inches of rain fell, and storm tides were as high as 17 feet. Hurricane Andrew caused significant destruction to property in the United States. Final damages eventually totaled $25 billion. It uses chronological structure. Click again to highlight the signal words.

10. Hurricane Andrew was one of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States. Andrew first formed in the warm waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean. To begin with, the storm had winds of only 40 miles per hour. As the storm continued to move over the warm ocean, it gained energy and grew stronger. When the wind speed reached 74 miles per hour, the storm was officially a hurricane and was named Andrew. Then Andrew’s winds climbed to 175 miles per hour! Next, heavy rain moved onshore as Andrew made landfall in southern Florida. Seven inches of rain fell, and storm tides were as high as 17 feet. Hurricane Andrew caused significant destruction to property in the United States. Final damages eventually totaled $25 billion. It uses chronological structure.

11. Now let’s look at another passage. The more practice you get, the better you will be at identifying the text structure. When you are quickly able to notice the text structure, you will better be able to understand what you read!

12. Two of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the United States in recent years were Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Both hurricanes inflicted massive destruction and damage to parts of the southeast United States. When Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Homestead, Florida, it was a category 5 hurricane—the strongest measure for hurricanes. At landfall its winds measured 175 miles per hour and it dumped seven inches of rain on southern Florida. With storm surges nearly 17 feet, the damage was extensive. Estimated property damage was $25 billion and 26 people died as a result of the hurricane. Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi and Louisiana coast as a category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 miles per hour at landfall. Although Katrina was not as strong as Andrew, it was far more destructive and deadly. This is because the city of New Orleans was in its path. A storm surge of 12 feet reached the city and caused the protective levees to break, flooding 80% of the city. More than 1,800 people died and property damage was about $81 billion. Both hurricanes caused suffering and devastation to the people who lived through them. In measuring hurricane strength, Andrew was the stronger of the two. However, Katrina inflicted more destruction and fatalities because its path was through New Orleans.

13. How was that passage organized? Click to see it again. Can you find signal words to prove your answer?

14. Two of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the United States in recent years were Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Both hurricanes inflicted massive destruction and damage to parts of the southeast United States. When Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Homestead, Florida, it was a category 5 hurricane—the strongest measure for hurricanes. At landfall its winds measured 175 miles per hour and it dumped seven inches of rain on southern Florida. With storm surges nearly 17 feet, the damage was extensive. Estimated property damage was $25 billion and 26 people died as a result of the hurricane. Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi and Louisiana coast as a category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 miles per hour at landfall. Although Katrina was not as strong as Andrew, it was far more destructive and deadly. This is because the city of New Orleans was in its path. A storm surge of 12 feet reached the city and caused the protective levees to break, flooding 80% of the city. More than 1,800 people died and property damage was about $81 billion. Both hurricanes caused suffering and devastation to the people who lived through them. In measuring hurricane strength, Andrew was the stronger of the two. However, Katrina inflicted more destruction and fatalities because its path was through New Orleans.

15. It is organized using compare and contrast. Click to see the signal words.

16. Two of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the United States in recent years were Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Both hurricanes inflicted massive destruction and damage to parts of the southeast United States. When Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Homestead, Florida, it was a category 5 hurricane—the strongest measure for hurricanes. At landfall its winds measured 175 miles per hour and it dumped seven inches of rain on southern Florida. With storm surges nearly 17 feet, the damage was extensive. Estimated property damage was $25 billion and 26 people died as a result of the hurricane. Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi and Louisiana coast as a category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 miles per hour at landfall. Although Katrina was not as strong as Andrew, it was far more destructive and deadly. This is because the city of New Orleans was in its path. A storm surge of 12 feet reached the city and caused the protective levees to break, flooding 80% of the city. More than 1,800 people died and property damage was about $81 billion. Both hurricanes caused suffering and devastation to the people who lived through them. In measuring hurricane strength, Andrew was the stronger of the two. However, Katrina inflicted more destruction and fatalities because its path was through New Orleans.

17. Now let’s compare the two passages. How were they alike? Both passages were about hurricanes. They both told facts. How were the passages different? The first passage tells facts and events related to Hurricane Andrew in the order they happened. The author first presents the facts about the beginning of the hurricane and then tells about the strengthening of the storm and finally its impact on the people and property in its path. Chronological order helps give the author a clear structure to tell what happened. The second passage also tells about Hurricane Andrew, but the author’s purpose is to compare two hurricanes. While some of the same facts are presented about Andrew as in the first passage, there are also similar facts about Hurricane Katrina added. Readers can compare both hurricanes. This comparison lets readers see that Andrew was the more powerful hurricane, but Katrina was more destructive in terms of loss of life and property.

18. Now we will work on some practice passages. You may do the first set with a partner and then we will come together to discuss our answers. The next two sets should be done independently so you can show what you know! Begin noticing the text structure of what you read, especially in science and social studies. You can make a chart like this and keep it in your reading folder. Book/pg #Org. Structure Signal Words