Text Structures

Expert 21Workshop 3

Defining common text structures

Problem and Solution

One problem > Several SolutionsSeveral problems > One solution

Multiple problems > various solutions

Introduction

Step 1: Define the problem or problems in a clear introductory statement.

Example: Many students face the difficulty of finding a quiet place to study at home.

Cheating can put a student at risk of being expelled, disqualified, and of not being trusted by teachers and other students.

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Introduction

Step 2: Examine causes and possible solutions to the problem or problems.

Example: Setting aside a specific time and place for homework and study can be helpful and allows other family members to support the student’s efforts.Being prepared for tests and completing homework before it is due can help take away the need for students to cheat.

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Body Paragraphs

Step 3: Present reasons or evidence to support the possible solutions.

Example: Having a time and place for study will build healthy and efficient habits into a student’s daily life.Knowing the material and content as a result of doing homework and studying will give the student confidence under pressure.

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Conclusion

Step 4: Offer a strong ending statement that reinforces and supports the best solutions.

Example: Finding a place to do homework and study does not happen accidently; students must plan and set time aside daily to insure success.

Being fully prepared is the best way to avoid feeling the need to cheat and thereby avoid the consequences of cheating.

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Compare and Contrast

Compare: tell how things are alike or similar

Contrast: tell how things are different or unlike each other

Introduction

Step 1: Determine what will be compared and contrasted

Example: The differences and similarities of ice skating and roller skating can be explained quite easily.

People who live in cities and people who live in small towns are not really that different from one another.

Body paragraph

Step 2: Tell how the things or persons being compared are similar.

Example: Both roller skating and ice skating can be done in a rink and include the use of skates.

People who live in both cities and small towns have a group of people that they consider their close friends.

Body paragraph

Step 3: Tell how the things or people are different from each other.

Example:Roller skating can be done on most smooth hard surfaces, however ice skating can only be done on ice, the ice skate blades do not work on other surfaces.City people are accustomed to noises and lights during the night where country folks expect to be able to relax in quiet darkness when they go to sleep.

Example:Though there are some differences between ice skating and roller skating both are excellent ways to get exercise and spend time with friends.At first it may not seem that city people and country folk are very much alike, however both have favorite places to go and spend time with friends.

Conclusion

Step 4: Summarize how the items being compared and contrasted are alike and different.

Cause and Effect

Explain how events are related to one another

Tell how one event causes other events to happen

Introduction

Step 1: Describe an initial event

Example:Rain fell for ten days without stopping and the ground became too wet to absorb any more water.

The girls at the birthday party decided to take a walk along the highway late at night.

Body paragraphs

Step 2: Tell how a second event was the result of the first event.

Example:The rain water began to fill up all the creeks and streams in the town.

The girls did not tell anyone that they were going out of the building but instead left quietly through a back door and walked into the alley.

Example:When the streams and creeks could hold no more water, the water began to rise and overflow the banks and flood surrounding fields.The girls kept walking away from the building even though some were afraid of what might happen to them and people in passing cars were yelling at them.

Body paragraphs

Step 3: Continue to tell how successive events were the result of each preceding event. (causal chain)

Conclusion

Step 4: Explain how a final event was the end result of the first event and that without the first event all others would not have happened.

Example:Finally the torrential rains caused the peoples’ homes to flood and many of them had to be evacuated by helicopters.In the end, the police picked up the girls. Since only a few of the girls at the party had been over eighteen years of age, most of them were charged with being out past the legal curfew.

Author’s purpose

The reason the author is writing What the author is trying to do by

writing

Entertain

The author is writing to amuse the reader or make the reader feel pleasure or another emotion.

Example:It was the funniest thing that any of the teachers had ever seen happen to a group of students, no one could believe the story.

Once upon a time, an old woman and an old man decided that instead of trying to have real children they would bake magic gingerbread children to keep them company in their old age.

Inform

The author is writing to tell the reader something that is factual and important for the reader to know.

Example:The new traffic law will prohibit driving by young persons under the age of fourteen regardless of where the young person lives or works.

Eating raw meat, or meat that has not been properly cooked, is often the cause of severe illness and can even kill a person if the illness goes untreated.

Explain

The author is writing to tell how something works or the process by which something is done.

Example:The first step in assembling the lightweight aircraft is to purchase an aircraft kit from a legitimate manufacturer and secure a building to use during the assembly process.

Once the young lion has learned to hunt, it may venture off from the pride and try to hunt small animals on its own.

Persuade

The author is writing to convince the reader that his or her opinion is correct, that the reader should believe a particular idea, or support a specific cause.

Example:The only way to solve the problem of underage drinking is to outlaw alcoholic beverages for everyone.

Only people who have passed their high school exams should be allowed to attend the senior prom.