Text Structures:

Organizational Patterns
Reading Class

Text organization / pattern

Text Organization
Comparison and Contrast is a way to organize text where
things are compared to show how they are alike and contrasted
to show how they are different.
Writers often use words such as best, better, more,
less, worse, easier, as, and than.
Text organized by Comparison and Contrast
My brothers and I have always gone swimming in the lake, but
some kids say its more fun to go to the new swimming pool. They
think the pool is better because its newer and cleaner.
But we think its worse because too many people go
to the pool. Kids who go to the new pool say its
easier to get there, but we still think swimming in a
lake is more fun.

Text Organization
Cause and Effect is a way to organize text so it tells how or
why one thing leads to another.
A cause is the reason something happens, and an effect is the
result of the cause.
Writers often use words like since, because, so,
therefore, and as a result.
Text organized by Cause and Effect
My mother comes from a big family, so its difficult to get
everyone in the same place at the same time. Because
they like to still stay in touch, each year they plan a
big family reunion picnic. Since everyone attends, we
always have a huge group at the picnic.

Text Organization
Sequence (chronological order) is a way to organize text where
the writer places events in the order in which they happen.
The writer often uses words such as first, then, next,
later, after, before, and finally.
Text organized by Sequence
We started getting ready for the reunion picnic yesterday. First,
I made coleslaw. After I was finished, I made the iced tea. Next,
my mother made fried chicken. Then we put all of the
swimming gear in the car. Finally, we loaded the
picnic basket in the car and we were on our way.

Text Organization
Description is a way to organize text where the writer
describes a person, place, or thing.
The writer gives descriptive details and uses adjectives
to tell about people and events.
Text organized by Description
At the park, we put our fabulous assortment of food out on the
picnic tables. There was one whole table of delicious main
courses, another table of colorful and healthy salads, and a table
of everyones favorite: rich desserts. Next to the food we had a
separate table with every refreshing cold
drink you could imagine.

Order of Importance
CHARACTERISTICS:

presents
information from
the most important
information to least
important
information or vice
versa
KEY WORDS:
key, major,
primary, finally,
least, most,
significant, chief

Text Organization
Question and Answer is a way to organize text where
the writer presents the topic in the form of a question
and tries to answer the question.
Text organized by Question and Answer
Is keeping up the tradition of a family reunion worth all the effort?
Some people have to come from far away, which is expensive. The
reunion is a lot of work because everyone has to help cook and clean
up. However, once were all together, everyone
says that its definitely worth the trouble because
we have such a good time!

Text Organization
Problem and Solution is a way to organize text where the writer
presents the topic in the form of a problem that needs to be solved.
First, the problem is described.
Then a solution to the problem is proposed and explained.
Writers often use words such as problem, solution, solve, and plan.
Text organized by Problem and Solution
The park has not been kept up well in the past few years,
and some members of our family think we should find another
place for our annual reunion picnic. The solution might be
to pressure the city to take better care of the park.
If the city would plan a clean-up, it would benefit
many families besides our own.

Narration
The text has details about people and events that

tell a story.
example:

Allison looked at the ocean waves from the

comfort of the ship. She could stare at the waves for
hours because they never came back the same way;
they were always changing. They were nothing like
the humdrum life on the ship, which consisted of
short, repetitive conversations and reading. There
was nothing else to do. Allison couldn't wait for the
next stop.

Definition
The text defines a difficult term or idea. The

definition is stated and expanded with examples

and restatements.
Look for bold or italic words to emphasize new

vocabulary.
Example:

The pharaoh was the ruler of ancient Egypt.

The pharaoh was believed to have been the human
form taken by the gods. One of the best known
pharaohs is Tutankhamun, who ruled during the
18th dynasty.

Text Organization
1. If a text uses the words because, since, and therefore, it is most
likely organized by
A.
B.
C.
D.

sequence
question and answer
cause and effect
description

2. If a text tells about the way two things are alike and different, it is
most likely organized by
A.
B.
C.
D.

narration
problem and solution
comparison and contrast
cause and effect

Guided Practice with Text Organization

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

To plant the new peach tree, we dug

a big hole. Next, we put in a layer of
compost. On top of that layer, we added a
layer of peat moss. We placed the little
tree in the hole and filled the hole with
dirt. Then, we put small rocks on top of
the dirt. Finally, we watered our new tree.

Guided Practice with Text Organization

1. What is the last thing that happens in the passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.

We filled the hole with dirt.

We watered the tree.
We put on a layer of peat moss.
We put rocks on the dirt.

2. Which phrase has a word that gives a clue about the way the text
is organized?
A.
B.
C.
D.

We placed the little tree in the hole.

We added a layer of peat moss.
Then, we put small rocks on top of the dirt.
We dug a big hole.

Guided Practice with Text Organization

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

Two kinds of snakes that are often confused are the corn
snake and the copperhead. The copperhead is pinkish tan with
brown markings. The corn snake looks similar to the copperhead
but is usually more brightly colored. The corn snake is less
aggressive than the copperhead, but neither is
very aggressive. The most important difference
is that the copperhead is poisonous and the corn
snake is harmless.

Guided Practice with Text Organization

3. In what way did the writer organize this text?
A.
B.
C.
D.

cause and effect

question and answer
problem and solution
comparison and contrast

4. Which word from the passage gives a clue about the way the text
is organized?
A.
B.
C.
D.

markings
difference
snake
harmless

Expository Text: Authors

Purpose

To communicate factual information to

the reader to acquire knowledge
about a subject/topic.