Understanding Text Structures

Lesson 1

What is a text structure?

• “Text structure” refers to how a piece of text is organized.

• Recognizing how the text is organized or put together helps us understand what it’s about.

Think of it this way…

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

• For example, a skyscraper is a different kind of structure from a house.

In the same way, authors…

• Use different structures to put together different types of texts depending on the purpose of the message and what they are writing about.

Text Structures forNon-Fiction or Expository Texts

1. Chronology/Sequence – order of events

2. Compare/Contrast –describes similarities and differences

3. Cause and Effect – tells how or why something happened and the result

LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT EACH

TEXT STRUCTURE FOR EXPOSITORY TEXT.

Chronological/Sequential Order

• Purpose:to inform – reader of the order in which events occurred or order of step in a process.

• Keywords:first, next, later, then, before, after, finally, meanwhile

•Even historical events or time periods in history give a sense of time since they are directly correlated with dates in history.

Chronological/Sequential Order

• Read this how-to passage. How does the text structure help you with the task?HOW TO MAKE MACARONI AND CHEESE

First, boil some water and make some macaroni. Then, make your cheese sauce. After the cheese sauce is ready, mix it with the macaroni. Bake the entire thing in the oven. Finally, it’s time to eat!

Chronological /Sequential order

First, boil some water and make some macaroni. Then, make your cheese sauce. After the cheese sauce is ready, mix it with the macaroni. Bake the entire thing in the oven. Finally, it’s time to eat and enjoy!

Which of the following steps comes after mixing the cheese sauce with the macaroni?A. Eat and enjoy! B. Bake in the ovenC. Make the cheese sauceD. Boil water and cook macaroni

Notice how recognizing the text structure helps you to answer the following question.

B

Which paragraph is in chronological order?

Pennsylvania has many historic sites. You can visit Revolutionary war sites, like Valley Forge. You can also visit important locations from the Civil War, like Gettysburg. Finally, you can also see the site of the first oil well in Titusville. Pennsylvania has many neat places to visit!

Through the ages, Pennsylvania has seen many interesting events. The state was founded in 1681 by William Penn. Later, Pennsylvania was the site of important Revolutionary War battles. After that, Pennsylvania was home to new factories during the Industrial Revolution. Today, Pennsylvania continues to make history.

You got it! It’s this one. Through the ages,

Pennsylvania has seen many interesting events. The state was founded in 1681 by William Penn. Later, Pennsylvania was the site of important Revolutionary War battles. After that, Pennsylvania was home to new factories during the Industrial Revolution. Today, Pennsylvania continues to make history.

Can you find the keywords that show this order?

•Through the ages•1681•Later•Revolutionary War•After that•Industrial Revolution•Today

How does the text structure help us to understand the historical events of Pennsylvania?

When was the state of Pennsylvania founded?A.After the Revolutionary WarB.During the Industrial RevolutionC.1681

Through the ages, Pennsylvania has seen many interesting events. The state was founded in 1681 by William Penn. Later, Pennsylvania was the site of important Revolutionary War battles. After that, Pennsylvania was home to new factories during the Industrial Revolution. Today, Pennsylvania continues to make history.

Excellent!!!

C

Compare/Contrast

• Purpose:to inform the reader of

similarities and differences between these two or more things.

Compare/Contrast Keywords

Of course we should be able to find keywords to help us figure it out.

KEYWORDS: same, both, different, in common, alike, similarly, opposite, while, on the other hand

See if you can find some in the following passage.

Can you identify any keywords for compare/contrast?

The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads. Both are common at birdfeeders. But the birds have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

Using keywords we can complete a Venn diagram that helps us to the similarities and differences better

The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads. Both are common at birdfeeders. But the birds have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

•Crested head•Use bird feeders

•Male is red•Stays in one place

•Male is brown•Migrates from place to place

Organizing information helps me understand what I am reading.

Which of the following characteristics do these birds have in common?

a. They both have crested headsb. They both migrate c. Both males are redc. Both males are brown

•Crested head•Use bird feeders

•Male is red•Stays in one place

•Male is brown•Migrates from place to place A

Cause/Effect Text Structure

• Purpose: to inform - how one event leads to another, why decisions are made and the results.

• Keywords: because, effect, as a result, consequently, and so.

Can you identify the cause and effect? Keywords?

Baby painted turtles spend all winter in their nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!

Excellent!!! Baby painted turtles spend all winter in

their nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!

This is the cause

These are effects.

Can you identify the cause and effect? Keywords?

Why are baby painted turtles able to survive freezing temperatures in the winter?A.They spend all winter in their nestsB.They cannot survive freezing temperaturesC.They have special chemicals in their blood

Baby painted turtles spend all winter in their nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!

C

Review

• Can you explain the difference between chronological order and compare and contrast?

• What is the purpose of using cause and effect to tell a story?

• How can clue words help you as a reader?

Match the clue words!

on the other hand similarity

Can you identify the text structure that these clue words indicate?

Compare/Contrast

as a result Cause/Effect

after that Chronological Order

TEXT STRUCTURESLESSON 2

Text Structures forNon-Fiction or Expository Texts

1. Problem/Solution-identify a problem and provide a solution

2. Position/Reason- to take position on an topic and provide reasons for your position. (fact/opinion)

3. Description/Categorization- group/sort things that are similar

Problem/Solution Text Structure

• Purpose:

to inform reader about a problem, and offer one or more solutions.

Problem/SolutionKeywords

Synonyms for problem:

difficulty, struggle, uncertainty, worry, threat, and trouble

Synonyms for solution:

possibility, hope, bright spot, answer, and future

A simple example of

problem/solution text structure Park School had a terrible problem. Every day at recess, students would argue over the slides. Teachers had to spend time every day taking care of the arguments. Finally, one teacher came up with a great solution. They bought another set of slides that everyone could enjoy.

Can you find the problem and the solution in this paragraph?

An example of problem and solution

Park School had a terrible problem. Every day at recess, students would argue over the slides. Teachers had to spend time every day taking care of the arguments. Finally, one teacher came up with a great solution. They bought another set of slides that everyone could enjoy.

Here is the problem

Here is the solution

Let’s read this passage for a more challenging example.Think about how you could organize the information.

We could organize the information in a process chart like this one so we can see each part more clearly and be able to answer a question.

Which of the following is a problem Nightingale helped to solve?A.Many lives were savedB.She wrote letters asking for suppliesC.The hospital was dirty.D.Hospitals improved

Position/Reason

• Author’s Purpose:

to persuade and/or to inform

• The reader must pay close attention to details that are fact and those that are opinion.

Fact or Opinion

Fact

• A fact is statement that can be proven.

• For example: Hurricane Katrina hit the US in 2005.

Opinion

• A statement that cannot be proven.

• Contains words that show emotions or feelings

• EX: “Chocolate ice cream is best!”

Where are the facts? Are there any opinions?

Once again you can see how using a simple chart will help you sort the information so you can decide for yourself.

Which of the following statements is NOT a fact about money?A.Aztecs used cacao beans.B.Native Americans used wampum.C.People of Yap used heavy stones.D.Money is strange.

Position/Reason

#1

I think students should be allowed to wear to pajama pants to school. They are comfortable and don’t cause any distraction to class. I think students will actually do better if they are more comfortable.

#2Students should not be allowed to pajama pants to school because it is just not courteous to others to come to school in pajamas. Teachers dress professionally and so should students. In a recent study, statistics showed that people who dressed more professionally, behaved more professionally as well. If students dress like they are ready for sleep, then they may be less attentive and disruptive.

DECISIONS FOR OR AGAINST A CERTAIN ACTION SHOULD BE BASED ON FACTS NOT OPINION.

ARE THERE ANY FACTS PRESENTED IN POSITION/REASON STATEMENT #1?

ARE THERE ANY FACTS PRESENTED IN POSITION/REASON STATEMENT #2?

BASED ON THE FACTS, WHAT DECISION WOULD YOU BE FOR OR AGAINST ALLOWING PAJAMAS IN THE SCHOOL DRESS CODE?

Last One…Description/Categorization

• Texts organized using this structure will list, group or categorize various types of things according to a specific relationship.

• These things may have common quality.

For Example…• Topic: Sports

• How many different sports are there?

• What are some different categories we can use to describe them?

• Let’s read the next passage to see an example of categorization and how we can organize it to help us understand the text.

These texts often use charts, graphs, or tables to help with organizing the information.

Using a chart like this one helps you, the reader, make sense of a lot of information at once. See how easily you can answer this question.

Which of the following sports is NOT categorized as a court sport?A. Tennis B. Soccer C. Handball D. Squash

THINK > PAIR > SHARE

• What is the most important thing to pay attention to when reading a position/reason text?

• Why is it important to identify the problem in a passage?

• How can sorting information into categories help you?