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Understanding Text Structures

Mrs. Thornburg

7th Grade Language Arts

Centerville-Abington Jr. High

What is text structure?

• A “structure” in writing is a framework.

• The term “text structure” refers to how information is organized in a passage or how a piece of text is put together.

• Authors sometimes use signal words to help readers identify text structure.

What is text structure?

• Builders can use different kinds of structures to build different things.

• A shopping mall, for example, is different from a house.

• Just like builders, authors can use different text structures to build their writing.

What is text structure?

• Authors use different text structures to build their ideas.

• Each text structure communicates an author’s ideas in different ways.

Text Structure: Chronological Order

• Authors use chronological order to explain how things happen in time or order

• Chronological order can also be called time order or sequence.

Chronological Order

• Some signal words for chronological order include the following: first, next, then, after, finally, and lastly. Dates and times are also used.

• You will see chronological order in directions.

• You may want to use a timeline or a sequence chart to organize information in chronological order.

Chronological Order

Find the chronological order signal words. Have you ever made boxed macaroni and cheese? It’s easy! First, heat water in a pan to boiling. Next, open the box of macaroni. Then pour the macaroni in the boiling water and stir. Prepare the cheese sauce while the macaroni boils. When the macaroni is tender, drain it from the water. After that, pour the cheese sauce on the macaroni and stir! Finally, eat the macaroni and cheese!

Chronological Order

Have you ever made boxed macaroni and cheese? It’s easy! First, heat water in a pan to boiling. Next, open the box of macaroni. Then pour the macaroni in the boiling water and stir. Prepare the cheese sauce while the macaroni boils. When the macaroni is tender, drain it from the water. After that, pour the cheese sauce on the macaroni and stir! Finally, eat the macaroni and cheese!

Which paragraph is chronological order?

Wayne County has many historic sites. Mt. Auburn is home to the Huddleston House. You can visit the famous Levi Coffin House in Fountain City. Finally, you will find the Mansion House in Centerville. Wayne County has wonderful places to visit to learn about history!

Through the Ages, Indiana has seen many interesting events. Indiana became a state in 1816. Later, Indiana was the site of important Underground Railroad activity. After that, Indiana was a Union state during the Civil War. Today, Indiana continues to make history.

Which paragraph is in chronological order?

This paragraph is in chronological order. Can you find the clue words that show this order?

Through the Ages, Indiana has seen many interesting events. Indiana became a state in 1816. Later, Indiana was the site of important Underground Railroad activity. After that, Indiana was a Union state during the Civil War. Today, Indiana continues to make history.

Which paragraph is in chronological order?

Through the Ages, Indiana has seen many interesting events. Indiana became a state in 1816. Later, Indiana was the site of important Underground Railroad activity. After that, Indiana was a Union state during the Civil War. Today, Indiana continues to make history.

This paragraph is in chronological order. Can you find the clue words that show this order?

Review #1

1. What is text structure?

2. What is chronological order?

3. What are some chronological order signal words?

Text Structure: Compare & Contrast

• Authors use compare and contrast to explain how two or more things are similar and different.

• Authors may use a clustered approach, with details about one topic followed by details about the other topic.

• Authors may use an alternating approach, with the author going back and forth between the two topics.

Compare & Contrast

• Some signal words for compare and contrast include the following: both, unlike, in common, same as, however, on the other hand, while, different, and similar.

• You may want to use a T-chart or Venn Diagram to organize information that is being compared and contrasted.

Compare & Contrast Can you find the compare & contrast signal words? Basketball and volleyball are two popular female sports in America. Both require a round ball to play and are played on a court. Points need to be scored in both of these sports in order to win. Even though basketball and volleyball are similar, these two sports have some major differences. A basketball must be dribbled, while a volleyball is passed, set, and spiked over a net. Six players play at a time in volleyball. However, only five players play at a time in basketball. Basketball also requires more running than volleyball. Although basketball and volleyball have some major differences, girls all over the United States enjoy playing both of them.

Compare & Contrast Can you find the compare & contrast signal words? Basketball and volleyball are two popular female sports in America. Both require a round ball to play and are played on a court. Just like basketball, points need to be scored in volleyball in order to win. Even though basketball ball and volleyball are similar, these two sports have some major differences. A basketball must be dribbled, while a volleyball is passed, set, and spiked over a net. Six players play at a time in volleyball. However, only five players play at a time in basketball. Basketball also requires more running than volleyball. Although basketball and volleyball have some major differences, girls all over the United States enjoy playing both of them.

Review #2

• What is the difference between chronological order and compare & contrast?

• How can signal words help you as a reader?

Text Structure: Cause & Effect • Authors use cause and effect to show how one

event leads to another event.

• One complication to understanding cause and effect is that many texts do not include just one cause leading to one effect—instead, there may be several causes and several effects.

Cause & Effect

• A cause is “why something happens.” An effect is “the result.”

• Some signal words for cause and effect include the following: because, due to, so, as a result, led to, since, therefore, consequently, cause, and effect.

• You may want to use a cause/effect chart to organize cause/effect information. You may also want to think of the effect first and then the cause effect cause

because

Cause & Effect

• Can you find the cause & effect signal words?

The night’s snowstorm had several effects. Snow plow drivers were out all night clearing roads and highways. People awakened early to shovel sidewalks and driveways. Children were very excited. School was closed due to slick roads and freezing temperatures.

Cause & Effect

• Can you find the cause & effect signal words?

The night’s snowstorm had several effects. Snow plow drivers were out all night clearing roads and highways. People awakened early to shovel sidewalks and driveways. Children were very excited. School was closed due to slick roads and freezing temperatures.

More with Cause & Effect

• Can you find the cause and effect?

Baby painted turtles spend the winter in their nests. They have certain chemicals in their blood that keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles can survive extremely cold temperatures.

More with Cause & Effect • Can you find the cause & effect?

Baby painted turtles spend the winter in their nests. They have certain chemicals in their blood that keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles can survive extremely cold temperatures.

CAUSE = YELLOW EFFECT = GREEN

Review #3

1. Which text structure tells how two or more things are similar and different?

2. Which text structure explains how things happen in time order?

3. Which text structure explains how one event leads to another event?

Text Structure: Problem & Solution

• Authors use problem and solution text structure to explain a problem and how it can (or has been) solved.

• IMPORTANT: This text structure can sometimes be confused with cause and effect!

Problem & Solution

• Some signal words for problem and solution include the following: problem, solution, solve, effect, hopeful, if . . then, remedy, as a result, and one step of the solution.

• You may want to use a problem/solution chart to organize problem/solution information.

Problem & Solution

Identifying problem & solution may be difficult because authors sometimes use synonyms for “problem” and “solution.”

Synonyms for “problem” Synonyms for “solution”

difficulty threat worry

trouble uncertainty

struggle

possibility hope

bright spot answer future

Problem & Solution

What is the problem?

What is the solution?

The Chesapeake Bay faces an uncertain future. Issues such as pesticides, too many nutrients, and habitat loss all threaten the Bay’s water quality and animal life. However, scientists are hopeful that the future may be brighter. If everyone in the Chesapeake Bay watershed works together, solutions may be found.

Problem & Solution

Problem

Solution

The Chesapeake Bay faces an uncertain future. Issues such as pesticides, too many nutrients, and habitat loss all threaten the Bay’s water quality and animal life. However, scientists are hopeful that the future may be brighter. If everyone in the Chesapeake Bay watershed works together, solutions may be found.

Review #4

1. What text structure do these signal words point to? however, similar, same as, but

2. What text structure do these signal words point to? therefore, so, since, because

3. What text structure do these signal words point to? finally, first, after, next

4. What text structure do these signal words point to? solve, trouble, hope, threat

Text Structure: Description (Spatial)

• Authors use description or spatial text structure to describe something.

• In this type of writing, the author offers a main idea statement and supports the main idea statement with several details.

Description (Spatial)

• Some signal words for description (spatial) text structure may include the following: for example, one reason, most important, to begin with, and sensory words (looks like, smells, like, sounds like, feels like, tastes like)

• You may want to use a web to organize descriptive (spatial) information.

Description (Spatial)

The field was a beautiful place to visit. Golden flowers as bright as the sun decorated the land. The fragrance of the flowers was breathtaking. The clear blue sky was endless. The rocky mountains seemed to be within an arm’s reach, but they were actually hundreds of miles into the distance.

Description (Spatial)

The field was a beautiful place to visit. Golden flowers as bright as the sun decorated the land. The fragrance of the flowers was breathtaking. The clear blue sky was endless. The rocky mountains seemed to be within an arm’s reach, but they were actually hundreds of miles into the distance.

Main Idea

All the other sentences explain and describe why the main idea is true.

Review #5

• Match each text structure with the signal words.

1. due to, since A. compare & contrast

2. lastly, next B. cause & effect

3. unlike, both C. Chronological order

4. for example D. problem & solution

5. problem, remedy E. description/spatial

Text Structure: Argument & Evidence

• Authors use argument and evidence text structure to convince the reader to do or believe something by making a strong claim and providing evidence for it.

• The evidence the author uses to support the claim may be based on facts or may be the author’s opinion.

Argument & Evidence

• Some signal words for argument & evidence text structure include the following: therefore, accordingly, in addition to, another reason, finally, and in conclusion.

• You may want to use a web to organize argument and evidence information.

Argument & Evidence

School uniforms need to be enforced at Jackson Jr. High. One reason uniforms are needed is because students are coming to school with see-through shirts and pants with holes near inappropriate areas. Some students are also wearing gang related clothing. Another reason students need to wear uniforms is to save parents money. Parents will only need to buy a few outfits for their children instead of multiple outfits. Finally, students will be more focused on school and less focused on socializing if uniforms are implemented. In conclusion, uniforms are needed at Jackson Jr. High to improve the students’ education.

What is the argument? What is the evidence?

Argument & Evidence

School uniforms need to be enforced at Jackson Jr. High. One reason uniforms are needed is because students are coming to school with see-through shirts and pants with holes near inappropriate areas. Some students are also wearing gang related clothing. Another reason students need to wear uniforms is to save parents money. Parents will only need to buy a few outfits for their children instead of multiple outfits. Finally, students will be more focused on school and less focused on socializing if uniforms are implemented. In conclusion, uniforms are needed at Jackson Jr. High to improve the students’ education.

Argument All the other sentences provide the evidence for the argument.

Review #6 Fill in the correct text structure name.

1. __________ text structure explains how two or more things are similar or different. 2. __________ text structure explains how one thing leads to another. 3. __________ text structure tries to get the reader to believe something. 4. __________ text structure identifies a problem and provides a solution for the problem. 5. __________ text structure provides a main idea statement and details to support the main idea. 6. __________ text structure explains how things happen in time.

You Did It!

• Show your teacher your review sheet.

• Get the text structure assignment from your teacher.