Text Structure

Nonfiction
Organizational
Patterns
 Text Structure
How text is organized.

• ALL stories are chronological.

• Nonfiction has lots of text structures.
• Each paragraph may be different.

We’ll learn 6 types.

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

For example
For instance
In addition
Specifically
 Description
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
 Chronological
In order of time
Chrono = time
Stories are told chronologically

Moved Fell in
Met Girl Born Married Died
Away Love in 1882 in 1906 in 1948
 Sequence & Order
Describes events in order or explains the steps
one must follow to do something or make
something.

First
Next
After
Then
Before
Finally
 Sequence & Order
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!
Example

Non-example
 Sequence / Order of Importance
Steps described in the order they occur.

Get bread
Tighten
Laces
Open jars
Tie Loops
Together Spread peanut butter
Make Two
Loops Spread jelly

Put on Combine slices

Shoe
Enjoy.

Does not take place at any specific point in time.

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

As a result
Because
Cause
Effect
Due to
So
 Cause and Effect
Explains reasons why something happened.
Or explains the effects of something.

Not feeding it. Many Karate

Schools Opened.

Why Dog
Not petting it. Lots of Karate Nunchuck sales
Ran Away Movies in 60’s Increased 400%

Not loving it.

Hospital cases
went up.
 Problem & Solution
Tells about a problem and then gives one or more
solutions.

As a result
Because
Issue
Problem
Due to
Therefore
Solve
 Problem and Solution
Author states a problem and solution(s).
Similar to cause and effect.

Missing
Eagles were Make laws to
Books
endangered. protect them.
Putting in
the Closet
Basically
Getting Cause & Effect
Lockers
With an Opinion.
And an answer.
Compare & Contrast
Shows how two or more things are alike and/or
how they are different.

Different
Alike
Contrast
Compare
 Compare and Contrast
Compare = find similarities Contrast = find differences

Shows what’s in common and what’s different.

Apples &
Oranges

Fruits Colors

Have Seeds Tastes

Healthy
Locations
 Practice
Starts easy but gets hard

1. Read the paragraph

2. Identify the text structure
3. Write it down.
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?
Description
Politicians have realized that
texting has recently become Sequence
a major reason for car
accidents. To solve this Compare and Contra

issue, many states have tried

to pass a law prohibiting the Cause and Effect

use of cell phones, especially

texting, while driving in order Problem and Solution

to reduce the number of car

accidents.
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?
Description
Chemical and physical changes
are both responsible for
Sequence
changing matter. In a physical
change, the size or shape of
Compare and Contra
the matter may change, but it
continues to have the same
Cause and Effect
make-up. A chemical change is
different than a physical change
Problem and Solution
because it turns the matter into
a new kind of matter with
different properties.
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate? Description

Sequence
Hurricanes are large storms
with heavy winds and rains.
Compare and Contra
They begin in the ocean and
build up strength while Cause and Effect
moving across the water.
Hurricanes can be very Problem and Solution
dangerous.
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?
Description
The twist is a rock and roll style
dance. To do the twist, first
Sequence
stand with your feet shoulder
width apart. Then, hold your
Compare and Contra
arms out from your body, bent
at the elbow. Next, rotate your
Cause and Effect
body as a whole, staying in the
same place. Finally, to add a
Problem and Solution
little style to your dance, you
can occasionally lift one leg off
of the floor.
Which text structure does the Description

following scenario illustrate?

Sequence

There are many reasons why

people dance. People can
dance for fun, for exercise,
for weight loss, or just to
spend time with others.
Compare and Contra
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?

Boston was home to the first public Description

high school in the US, which was
opened in 1821. Seventy-nine years
Sequence
later, in 1900, children in thirty-one
states were required to attend school
Compare and Contra
until the age of 14. In 1910, 72% of
children were attending school. By
1918, every state required students to Cause and Effect

go to elementary school. The

Supreme Court ruled that segregation Problem and Solution
based on race in schools was
unconstitutional in the case of Brown
v. Board of Education in 1954.
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?

Sarah was frequently absent from Description

school and missed a lot of work.
Sarah’s teacher knew something
Sequence
needed to be done to fix Sarah’s
attendance, so she decided to
Compare and Contra
call Sarah’s parents in for a
conference. When Sarah’s
teacher explained the importance Cause and Effect

of attending school regularly, her

parents realized the issue and Problem and Solution
made sure she attended school
every single day for the rest of the
year.
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate? Description

Hurricane Katrina was a Sequence

hurricane that formed over

the Bahamas on August 23, Compare and Contra

2005. It was one of the five

deadliest hurricanes in the Cause and Effect

history of the United States,

Problem and Solution
killing at least 1,833 people.
The total property damage
caused by Hurricane Katrina
was estimated to be about
$81 billion.
 1
Deviled Eggs
Pop out (remove) the egg yolks to a
small bowl and mash with a fork. Add
mayonnaise, mustard powder, vinegar,
salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Fill
the empty egg white shells with the
mixture and sprinkle lightly with paprika.
Cover lightly with plastic wrap and
refrigerate for up to one day before
serving.
 2
Sports at Ericson
There are two popular sports played at
Ericson, basketball and volleyball. Both
take place inside of the gym at Ericson.
Also, each sport has two teams of people.
In basketball, however, the ball can be
played off of the floor, and in volleyball, the
ball cannot touch the floor or it is out of
play. Basketball and volleyball are popular
sports at Ericson.
 3
The Lazy Student
When Tim woke up, he didn’t want to
go to school. His mom took him anyway.
So, he went to school, but he didn’t do any
work. The days passed, and Tim still
didn’t do any work. Mr. Morton called
Tim’s house, but Tim still wouldn’t do any
work. Finally the report cards came out,
and Tim failed his classes. Tim was sad.
 4
Failing Classes
Lots of students fail classes. Some
students fail because the work is too hard
for them. Other times they may fail
because they are lazy, and don’t do any
work. Another reason why students may
fail is if they don’t go to school. If you’re
not in class you may miss a lot. Many
students fail classes every quarter.
 5
Passing Classes
A lot of students have been failing
classes. These students wouldn’t be
failing classes if they studied more, asked
questions, tried harder, and came in for
extra help. Even though a lot of students
fail classes, they have many options if they
want to pass.
 6
Gail Denvers
Devers experienced the highlight of any
sprinter’s career, as she stood on the huge
platform in the giant stadium and received an
Olympic gold medal.
Eighteen months earlier she wasn’t thinking
about running. She was hoping that she would
be able to walk again.
Just four years earlier, in the summer of
1988, as Devers was training for the Olympic
Games, to be held in Seoul, South Korea, she
began to feel very tired all the time and failed to
make the Olympic finals.
 7
Three Types of Circus Clowns
Generally, there are three categories of circus clowns—whiteface,
august and character. Each has a specific makeup style and costume.
Each has a typical act as well.
The neat whiteface is usually a strict, in-charge character who
sets up the punch line for the joke with a partner His facial features are
neatly detailed in red or black.
Circus legend has it that the august clown got his name from a
German nickname for someone who is clumsy. The august wears light-
colored makeup, but white is used around the mouth and eyes, and
there’s a big red nose. This clown performs a great deal of slapstick
humor.
Character clowns perform as different personalities—cowboys,
scarecrows, grandmothers or symphony conductors. The most famous
character clown, however, is the tramp. Tramps wear different styles of
makeup and costumes that are torn or shabby. Some tramp clowns are
happy-go-lucky. Others are extremely sad. Still others act like gentlemen
who just happen to be out of money.
 8
HOW TO USE THE MICROSCOPE
1. Plug in the lamp.
2. Place a sample of what you wish to observe on
a slide.
3. Adjust the mirror so it reflects light from the
room up into the objective lens.
4. Place your slide with the specimen directly over
the center of the glass circle on the stage.
5. With the LOW POWER objective lens placed
over the slide, use the coarse focus knob.
6. Look through the eyepiece with one eye while
closing the other eye.
7. Use the fine focus knob to fine
 9
Fewer Toads

Though toads are still around, they no longer

are as common in some areas as they were a
few decades ago. The growing use of
insecticides has reduced their numbers. The
chemical sprays usually do not harm toads, but
cut down the animals’ food supply. Thereby, the
toads do not have enough food to survive.
There are fewer toads in many areas populated
by humans.
 10
Restoring the Toad
Dr. Knapp doesn’t want people to sit back and
let the toad vanish. He believes that everyone is
responsible for restoring the toad species. Dr.
Knapp thinks we could help restore the toad
population if we stop mowing parts of our lawns and
let the grass grow wild to reserve space for the toad.
He also believes we need to stop using pesticides
and fertilizers. The chemicals kill the insects that
toads eat. If we preserve some spaces in our lawns
and stop using fertilizers, Dr. Knapp believes we can
save the toads.
 Answers
1. Sequence
2. Compare and Contrast
3. Chronological
4. Cause and Effect
5. Problem and Solution
6. Chronological
7. Compare and Contrast
8. Sequence
9. Cause and Effect
10. Problem and Solution