Authors use many different
methods to organize information.
If you know which organizational
method the author is using, you
will better understand the
information you read.
Authors use two techniques to
clearly show how ideas are
related to one another:
– Organizational Methods (Patterns)
– Transitions
Structures of Nonfiction
Text
Cause and Effect
Gives reasons for why
or how something
happens
Problem and Solution
Identifies a problem
and offers solutions
Question and Answer
Poses a question and
provides an answer
Compare and Contrast
Presents ideas and
examines how they are
alike and/or different
Description
Provides main ideas
and supports them with
descriptive details
Sequence
Gives information in a
particular order
Cause and Effect
Cause and effect is the relationship between
two things when one thing makes something
else happen.
 Thesis: Research has shown that birth defects have
various causes.
 Four basic cause-effect relationships
 single cause - single effect
 single cause - multiple effects
 multiple causes - single effect
 multiple causes - multiple effects
Cause and Effect
• This text structure uses the process of
identifying potential causes of a problem or
issue in an orderly way. It is often used to
teach social studies and science concepts.
• Look for signal words that show cause/effect
relationships: because, so, so that, if… then,
consequently, thus, since, for, for this reason,
as a result of, therefore, due to, this is how,
nevertheless, and accordingly.
Cause Effect
Cause: Kelly eats a lot of candy
Effect: Kelly has cavities at every check
Cause: Joel volunteers at the homeless
shelter 20 hours a week.
Effect: Joel received the "Volunteer of the
Year" award!
Cause: My family was late getting to the
airport.
Effect: Our seats we reassigned and we had
to take a later flight
Problem and Solution
• In this text structure, the author states a problem
and lists one or more solutions for the problem.
• Thesis: Mark could not pass his exams but didn’t
know why until he spoke with some of his friends
who had studied Maslow’s Theory.
• Look for these signal words and phrases:
Problem is
Dilemma is
Puzzle is
Solved
Question…
answer
Example: Several students receive poor grades on writing
assignments, not because they lack the ability to
communicate, but because they can not seem to
manage their time when it comes to a large project. They
do not know where to begin, and therefore put things off
until the last minute. To solve this problem, students
need to develop a timeline for completing the project. If
they divide the assignment into manageable “chunks” or
parts and then set a schedule for completing each part,
they will be able to finish the entire project before the
deadline. Without the pressure of not knowing where to
begin, the students will be able to focus on the
assignment and communicate their ideas effectively.
Question and Answer
• In this text structure, the author will ask a
question, and then will offer an answer to
the question.
• Look for signal words similar to those of
the problem/solution text structure.
Compare and Contrast
• In this text structure, the author explains how
two or more things are alike and/or how they
are different
• Thesis: Gangs and fraternities share many
characteristics, but are quite different
• Look for these signal words:
However, unlike, like, by contrast, yet, in
comparison, although, whereas, similar to,
different from
Example: Although they are sisters, Jennifer and
Jessica are complete opposites. Jennifer enjoys
playing sports, while Jessica would rather watch.
Jennifer has no interest in playing a musical
instrument, while Jessica is the first chair
violinist. Jennifer listens to new age music, while
Jessica prefers country. Jennifer’s favorite
subject is English, and Jessica’s favorite is math.
Jennifer likes to curl up in a chair on a rainy day
and read a good book , but Jessica would rather
sleep all day. No one would ever guess that they
are actually twins.
Description
• This text structure is best when used to learn a lot
of information about a topic and the author
describes a topic by listing characteristics,
features, examples. Sequence does not
necessarily matter.
• Look for these signal words:
For example
characteristics are
for instance,
specifically,
in particular,
in addition
Sequence
In this text structure, the author lists items or
events in chronological or numerical order.
Chronological order is the order in which the
events occurred, from first to last.
Thesis:
Between now and the election, the candidate
will make a number of campaign stops
throughout the U.S.
Look for these signal words:
Next, first, last, second, another, then,
additionally
Sequence or Chronological Order Example: It seemed like an
ordinary day when she got up that morning, but Lynda was
about to embark on the worst day of her life. First, she fell in
the bathtub because her mother forgot to rinse out the bath oil.
Then she spilled orange juice on the outfit she had spent hours
putting together for school pictures. When she changed, she
messed up the French braid her mother had put in her hair. As
she walked out the door, she dropped all of her school books
and her math homework flew away. Once she made it to the car
she thought everything would be all right. She was wrong; her
father didn't look before he backed out of the driveway and ran
into the neighbor’s truck. Lynda’s side of the car was damaged
the most, and she ended up with a broken arm. That night, she
cried herself to sleep.