**TEXT 1: CHOSEN IN CLASS**
The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World
The ancient Greeks made a list of places they thought people should see. This list was named the Seven Wonders
of the Ancient World. The Greeks chose seven wonders, because in their culture this number symbolized perfection. The
only one of the ancient wonders that still exists is in Giza, Egypt. This wonder is the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was one of
three great pyramids built around 2500 B.C. It is the oldest wonder of the seven. People do not know how these pyramids
were built but we know that they took over 20 years to complete. For a long time, the Great Pyramid was believed to be
the tallest structure in the world. Pyramids were built as tombs for the leaders of Egypt called Pharaohs. Many travelers
still visit the Great Pyramid today.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are another ancient wonder. This wonder is special because people do not know
for sure if it existed. Old books say the garden was built around 600 B.C. It was located on the bank of the Euphrates
River. Today, this area is near Baghdad, Iraq. These gardens were built by a king for his wife. Living in the desert, she
missed the plants at her old home. The king wanted to make his queen like their new home more. It may never be known
if the Hanging Gardens of Babylon truly existed, but the descriptions of this beautiful place have made their place in
history.
The Greeks also added a couple of their own structures on the list of ancient wonders. The Statue of Zeus was
built in Olympia, Greece in 457 B.C. This statue was built to honor the Greek god Zeus. The statue was as tall as a fourstory building! It was made of wood and decorated with gold and ivory. Unfortunately, the statue was destroyed by a fire
and no longer exists for us to see.
In addition to Zeus, the Greeks also built a very big statue to honor the Greek sun god, Helios. This wonder is
known as the Colossus of Rhodes. The Colossus of Rhodes took twelve years to build. It was finished in 226 B.C. It was
110 feet high. That is about the same size as the Statue of Liberty. Also like the Statue of Liberty, the Colossus of Rhodes
was placed at the entrance to a harbor.
Built around 550 B.C., the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was considered the most beautiful structure on earth. It
was built to honor the goddess of hunting, nature, and fertility. Ephesus was an ancient city that was located in what is
now Turkey. The temple was made of marble and had many bronze statues. People used to come from all over the world
to worship Artemis. The temple was later burned down and now there is only a marshy field where this wonder once
stood.
Another wonder was also located in what is now Turkey. It was the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. This tomb was
built for King Mausolus of Caria. Some of the best artists and craftsmen of the time period helped build and decorate this
beautiful tomb. The mausoleum was finished around 350 B.C. Later, several earthquakes damaged the mausoleum. A
group called the Knights of St. John later used the ruins to build a castle. King Mausolus’s name and his connection with
such a special tomb led people to use the word mausoleum.
The only wonder built for a practical use was the Pharos of Alexandria. This was a lighthouse off the coast of
Egypt. It was once the tallest building in the world. There was a very large mirror inside this lighthouse. It was used to
reflect sunlight to help warn ships that they were getting close to the shoreline. At night, a fire was lit inside the Pharos of
Alexandria to help sailors. The design and building of this lighthouse started in 290 B.C. It was later ruined by
earthquakes. However, it remained longer than any of the wonders, other than the Great Pyramid.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are unknown to many people because most of these structures were
destroyed so long ago. While it is sad people cannot see most of these wonders in person, the detailed stories about them
help people know how special they were.
STEP 1: Look at the Text
My first step to evaluating a new text is simply to look over the text and take note of anything on the page that
will help me predict the type of genre.
On a chart or in my head, I would go over “What I See…” and extend to consider “What this means…” about
the possible content, purpose, and structure of the text.
W.I.S
W.I.M
I see that the title of the text is “The Seven Ancient
Wonders of the World.”
This means that the content may be factual because
the text will be about the ancient wonders.
I see that the text is structured into multiple
paragraphs.
This means that the structure of the text may be
narrative because there are no sections; I may need
to read from the beginning to the end without
skimming.
I see that there are times (2500 B.C.) on the page
and specific places, such as Greece, Rhodes, and
Turkey.
This means that the purpose of the text may to be to
inform about these different places and times in
history.
From my previewing of the text, I’m thinking that this text will be nonfiction, but I’ll have to read on to find out!
STEP 2: Read to Understand
After previewing the text, my next step is to read the full text to understand what it is about.
STEP 3: Re-Read to Evaluate
For my next step, I will now re-read the text to look closely at the text’s content, purpose, and structure in order
to gather evidence and details to support my genre claim.
To help me gather observations, I might make a quick chart in my notebook or on scrap paper to collect what I
see in the text.
-
-
Content and Elements
Not made up
Real places: Egypt,
Euphrates River, Olympia,
Greece
Real times: 457 BC, 290
BC
Real people: King
Mausolus
-
Structure
Non-narrative
Organized into paragraphs
that describe and explain
each of the seven wonders
-
-
-
Purpose
To inform
Specific dates, places,
people, and descriptions
about the seven wonders
Not presenting an
argument or stance about
the topic
Not entertaining through a
story
STEP 4: Box and Bullet Organizer
From my evaluation of the content, purpose, and structure of the text, I can now reflect on the data I’ve
collected to develop my genre claim.
To plan my claim for writing, I use a box and bullet organizer to identify my claim, organize my supporting
reasons, and assemble my evidence and details.
“The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World” is a nonfiction text.

The content of the text is factual and not made-up.
- Focuses on presenting details and descriptions about real people (King Mausolus)
- Includes details about real places (Olympia, Greece, Turkey, Egypt)
- Focuses on presenting information about real time periods (2500 BC, 600 BC)

The structure of the text is non-narrative.
- Does not develop a plot sequence that is connected
- Each paragraph focuses on developing a different ancient wonder
- May be skimmed

The purpose of the text is to inform.
- Teaches about the seven wonders of the world by including dates, specific descriptions, and artifact
based details
- Does not present an argumentative stance
STEP 5: Write!
By following my box and bullet organizer AND adding in my own words to explain, I can construct my
paragraph.
The text, “The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World,” is nonfiction. First of all, the content of the text is
factual and not made-up. The text focuses on presenting details and descriptions about real places, people,
and time periods in history. For example, the text tracks the construction of the Great Pyramids, starting in
2500 BC. These details are true and can be confirmed by artifacts and facts. Additionally, the structure of the
text is non-narrative because the paragraphs are organized by the different ancient wonders instead of
connecting through a plot. Due to this organization, viewers do not need to read from the beginning to
understand the ideas presented in the text. Finally, the primary purpose of this text is to inform the reading
audience. The purpose of the text is revealed through the inclusion of historical dates and specific descriptions
to teach viewers about how and why the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were constructed. These
informational details work to teach the audience, rather than persuade readers to think a certain way or be
entertained by a story of made-up characters. Overall, based on the content, structure, and purpose of the text,
“The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World” is nonfiction.