Text Structures:
Organizational Patterns
Reading Class ~ Mrs. Wendele
Synopsis
 Students read text to
 analyze different organizational patterns
 determine main ideas and supporting details
 paraphrase and summarize information
 Students
 compare authors’ purposes
 synthesize information
 make connections across multiple texts
Text pattern chart
Organizational
Pattern
Characteristics
Key Words
Example
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 it’s more fun to go to the new swimming pool. They
think the pool is better because it’s newer and cleaner.
But we think it’s worse because too many people go
to the pool. Kids who go to the new pool say it’s
easier to get there, but we still think swimming in a
lake is more fun.
Venn Diagram
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 it’s 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.
cause-and-effect organizer
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.
sequential order
organizer
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 everyone’s favorite: rich desserts. Next to the food we had a
separate table with every refreshing cold
drink you could imagine.
Classification
 This type of structure can be very helpful when writing
research reports.
 All of the information is organized by like groups.
 Example:
You are writing a paper about the food pyramid. One
paragraph is devoted to the benefits of fruits and vegetables.
One paragraph is devoted to the benefits of breads and
carbohydrates, and so forth.
descriptive/classification
organizer
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
order of importance organizer
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 we’re all together, everyone
says that it’s definitely worth the trouble because
we have such a good time!
Proposition-and-support
 The text presents a suggestion or a proposition. Then, the
author supports his or her suggestion with reasons.
 This pattern is often found in editorials.
 example:
The school needs to invest money in repainting the lines in
the parking lot. The yellow and white lines have faded so badly
that many people do not notice them. Confused drivers cause
traffic jams in the parking lot during pick-up and drop-off times.
Repainting the parking lot lines will make everyone safer.
proposition-and-support
organizer
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. sequence
B. question and answer
C. cause and effect
D. description
2. If a text tells about the way two things are alike and different, it is
most likely organized by
A. narration
B. problem and solution
C. comparison and contrast
D. 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. We filled the hole with dirt.
B. We watered the tree.
C. We put on a layer of peat moss.
D. We put rocks on the dirt.
2. Which phrase has a word that gives a clue about the way the text
is organized?
A. We placed the little tree in the hole.
B. We added a layer of peat moss.
C. Then, we put small rocks on top of the dirt.
D. 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. cause and effect
B. question and answer
C. problem and solution
D. comparison and contrast
4. Which word from the passage gives a clue about the way the text
is organized?
A. markings
B. difference
C. snake
D. harmless
Expository Text: Author’s Purpose
To communicate factual information to the
reader to acquire knowledge about a
subject/topic.