Nonfiction Text
Structures
Description: The author provides several
details to give the reader a mental picture.
• Signal Words (write in your notes):
• For example
• For instance
• In addition
• Characteristics include
Compare and Contrast: The author discusses
similarities and differences between ideas.
• Signal Words (write in your notes):
• Similar
• On the other hand
• Different
• Alike/ Unlike
Sequence and Order: The author puts things in
chronological order or gives a how-to list.
• Signal Words (write in your notes)
Problem and Solution: The author gives information
about a problem and then offers one or more
solutions.
• Signal Words (write in your notes):
• As a result
• Therefore
• Otherwise
• Solve/ Solution
Cause and Effect: The author describes an event (or
several events) and the effects that follow.
• Signal Words (write in your notes):
• Because
• If
• As a result
• Consequently
Find signal words/ clues and define the text
structure
• Wild chimpanzees are rapidly disappearing. Some people
are trying to solve this problem. Otherwise, chimpanzees
may one day exist only in zoos. People are trying to save
the rain forests and woodlands where the chimps live
from being cut down. It will take many people working
together to solve this problem.
Problem and Solution
• Wild chimpanzees are rapidly disappearing. Some people
are trying to solve this problem. Otherwise, chimpanzees
may one day exist only in zoos. People are trying to save
the rain forests and woodlands where the chimps live
from being cut down. It will take many people working
together to solve this problem.
Find signal words/ clues and define the text
structure
• Chimpanzees and humans are alike in many ways. A baby chimp
laughs when its mother tickles it. After chimpanzees fight, they
kiss and make up. When one chimpanzee comforts another, it
gives a hug or pat on the back. There are, of course, many ways
that chimpanzees and humans are different. Chimpanzees are
smaller and stronger than humans. An adult male chimpanzee
stands three or four feet tall and weights about 100 pounds. But a
chimpanzee can lift more weight than a man who is six feet tall.
Compare and Contrast
• Chimpanzees and humans are alike in many ways. A baby chimp
laughs when its mother tickles it. After chimpanzees fight, they
kiss and make up. When one chimpanzee comforts another, it
gives a hug or pat on the back. There are, of course, many ways
that chimpanzees and humans are different. Chimpanzees are
smaller and stronger than humans. An adult male chimpanzee
stands three or four feet tall and weights about 100 pounds. But a
chimpanzee can lift more weight than a man who is six feet tall.
Find signal words/ clues and define the text
structure
• A chimpanzee’s body is made for climbing and
swinging in the trees. First, it uses its long arms to
reach a branch. Next, with its flexible hands and
feet, it grabs and hooks on to the branch. Finally, it
swings from that branch to another branch of tree.
Sequence and Order
• A chimpanzee’s body is made for climbing and swinging
in the trees. First, it uses its long arms to reach a branch.
Next, with its flexible hands and feet, it grabs and hooks
on to the branch. Finally, it swings from that branch to
another branch of tree.
Instructions
1.Highlight signal words
2.Cut out passages and squares
3.Fill out graphic organizers
4.Create collage!