Non-Fiction Text

Structures

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Problem and Solution

Cause and Effect

A topic, idea, person, place, or thing is described by listing its features, characteristics, or

examples.

Description

Key WordsFor exampleFor instanceIn additionSpecifically

Is the following an example of the descriptive text structure?

Juan Ponce de Leon led many expeditions to the New World. For example, he led the first European expedition to Florida leaving on March 4, 1513.

Example

Non-example

Description

Is the following an example of the descriptive text structure?

While the Aztecs and the Mayans were both Native American tribes in Florida, there are many differences between the two tribes. The Mayans were very scientific, studying stars and trying to measure time. However, the Aztecs were more war-like people who would wage war against their neighboring tribes.

Example

Non-example

Description

Let’s try to create our own graphic organizer for the descriptive text

structure!

Home

Describes events in order or explains the steps one must follow to do something or make something.

Key WordsFirstNextAfterThen

BeforeFinally

Sequence & Order

Is the following an example of the sequential text structure?

The thirteen colonies did not like being under British control when they did not have a say in Parliament. Eventually the thirteen colonies went to war in the American Revolution to fight for their independence. When they won, the thirteen colonies got to have their own government and were no longer suppressed by the British.

Example

Non-example

Sequence & Order

Example

Non-example

Is the following an example of the sequential text structure?

In order to make a peanut butter sandwich, first you need to take out two pieces of bread. Next, you need to get the peanut butter and a knife. Then, you spread the peanut butter on both slices of bread. After that, put the two pieces of bread together. Finally, enjoy the delicious sandwich!

Sequence & Order

Let’s try to create our own graphic organizer for the

sequence text structure!

Home

Shows how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.

Key WordsDifferent

AlikeContrastCompare

Compare & Contrast

Is the following an example of the compare and contrast text structure?

The legislative, executive, and judicial branches are all parts of the government. While they are all parts of the government, their roles are very different. The executive branch is run by the President who can approve or veto bills. The legislative branch includes the Senate and House of Representatives who write bills to be made in to laws. The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court who rules whether laws are constitutional or unconstitutional.

Example Non-example

Compare & Contrast

Is the following an example of the compare and contrast text structure?

The thirteen colonies were not prepared to fight a war with Great Britain, a strong power house with many resources that the thirteen colonies did not have. Due to not being prepared, the thirteen colonies faced many brutal battles during the American Revolution, including times when they ran out of bullets!

Example

Non-example

Compare & Contrast

Let’s try to create our own graphic organizer for the

compare and contrast text structure!

Home

Shows a relationship between cause (event) and effect (what happened because of the event).

Key WordsAs a resultBecause

CauseEffectDue to

So

Cause & Effect

Is the following an example of the cause and effect text structure?

The Spanish-American War was between Spain and the United States. Spain sought compromise to the problems in Cuba, but the United States refused. The Spanish-American War was a ten-week war fought in both the Caribbean and the Pacific, ending in the 1898 Treat of Paris.

Example

Non-example

Cause & Effect

Is the following an example of the cause and effect text structure?

The Spanish-American War was called “a splendid little war” by John Hay, the US ambassador to London. The cost of the war was very high though, with 385 soldiers killed in the war and another 5,000 dying of tropical mosquito born disease.

Example

Non-example

Cause & Effect

Let’s try to create our own graphic organizer for the

cause and effect text structure!

Home

Tells about a problem and then gives one or more solutions.

Key WordsAs a resultBecause

IssueProblemDue to

ThereforeSolve

Problem & Solution

Is the following an example of the problem and solution text structure?

The thirteen colonies were very unprepared for the American Revolution. They did not have their own armed force, uniforms, weapons, or training. To help fix these issues, the thirteen colonies received help and supplies from other countries, including formal military training from Friedrich von Steuben, a German soldier.

Example

Non-example

Problem & Solution

Is the following an example of the problem and solution text structure?

When creating a political or physical map, there are many necessary elements to include. These elements are a title, compass rose, and a legend or a key.

Example

Non-example

Problem & Solution

Let’s try to create our own graphic organizer for the

problem and solution text structure!

Home More Practice

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

Tectonic plates are large masses of land on Earth. When these plates move, it causes them to rub against each other, which results in earthquakes.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

Windows and Linux are both computer operating systems. They both allow computers to run programs. Linux is free for all users, however, Windows costs money for people to use.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

Politicians have realized that texting has recently become a major reason for car accidents. To solve this issue, many states have tried to pass a law prohibiting the use of cell phones, especially texting, while driving in order to reduce the number of car accidents.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

Chemical and physical changes are both responsible for changing matter. In a physical change, the size or shape of the matter may change, but it continues to have the same make-up. A chemical change is different than a physical change because it turns the matter into a new kind of matter with different properties.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

Hurricanes are large storms with heavy winds and rains. They begin in the ocean and build up strength while moving across the water. Hurricanes can be very dangerous.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

The twist is a rock and roll style dance. To do the twist, first stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Then, hold your arms out from your body, bent at the elbow. Next, rotate your body as a whole, staying in the same place. Finally, to add a little style to your dance, you can occasionally lift one leg off of the floor.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

There are many reasons why people dance. People can dance for fun, for exercise, for weight loss, or just to spend time with others.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

Boston was home to the first public high school in the US, which was opened in 1821. Seventy-nine years later, in 1900, children in thirty-one states were required to attend school until the age of 14. In 1910, 72% of children were attending school. By 1918, every state required students to go to elementary school. The Supreme Court ruled that segregation based on race in schools was unconstitutional in the case of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

Sarah was frequently absent from school and missed a lot of work. Sarah’s teacher knew something needed to be done to fix Sarah’s attendance, so she decided to call Sarah’s parents in for a conference. When Sarah’s teacher explained the importance of attending school regularly, her parents realized the issue and made sure she attended school every single day for the rest of the year.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?

Hurricane Katrina was a hurricane that formed over the Bahamas on August 23, 2005. It was one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States, killing at least 1,833 people. The total property damage caused by Hurricane Katrina was estimated to be about $81 billion.

Description

Sequence

Compare and Contrast

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Pyramid Review Game

$25,000 Pyramid Review Game Directions

•Students work with a partner.•One partner sits facing the screen, the other partner sits with their back to the screen.•The person facing the screen will watch as the teacher pops the bubbles and give their partner clues so they can guess the word in the bubble.•Once the word is guessed, the student will give clues for the next work. •Play continues until they reach the top of the pyramid.

cause and

effect

descriptiontext

structure

compare and

contrastsequence

problem and

solution

$25,000 Pyramid Review Game