Text Organizational Structure
Flipbook
What are
the ways
an
author
can
organize
his or her
writing?
EQ: What are the ways an author can
organize his writing?
Text
Organizational
Structures
Cause and Effect
Comparison/Contrast
Description
Sequence
Classification
Example page – “we do”
Example page – “you do”
Set up your
flipbook
-What you need:
4 half sheets of paper.
Directions:
• Fold them in half so
that a little flap shows
at the bottom of each
page.
• You should have 8
flaps.
Setting up the flipbook
• Each row represents a flap
of the flipbook.
• Students should record the
titles on the flap.
• The following pages show
the definition and
examples.
• Students should record the
definition and draw the
examples of graphic
organizers.
• Review aloud the example.
Text Organizational
Structure Flipbook
Cause/Effect
Comparison/Contrast
Description
Sequence
Classification
Example Page- “We do”
Example Page- “You do”
Cause/Effect
The text shows that one event causes another thing to
happen. Look for words like "because," "then," "since,"
and "as a result."
example:
• It rained for the first few days of the camping trip. As a
result, most of the campers were restless and wanted
to go home.
Comparison/Contrast
The text shows how ideas or things are alike or
different. Look for words like "best," "more,"
"better," "less," "worse," "easier," and "than."
example:
• The best time to visit the Rocky Mountains is early fall. The weather
is cooler in the fall than in the summer. You will see fewer people
and more animals. The fall colors are more beautiful.
Description
When you want to paint a picture with words, use
description to organize your ideas. To make the picture come
alive in your reader's mind, use a lot of adjectives and
describe what you would see, taste, smell, feel, or
hear. Adjectives are words that describe things like "pretty,"
"sweet," "smooth," and "loud."
example:
• The cellar was cold, damp, and dark. It smelled musty and
old.
Sequence/Chronological Order
The writer places events in the order in which they
happen. Sequence is also known as chronological order. Look
for words like "first," "then," "next," "finally," "a few
minutes later," "before," "afterward," "meanwhile," and
"last year."
example:
• First, Rhett was late getting to school. Then, he lost his
homework. A few minutes later, the teacher asked him to
clean out his desk. Now, Rhett thinks it will be a bad day.
Classification
A text organized by classification groups things that are
similar. This structure can be very helpful when writing
research reports.
example:
• You are writing a paper about the food groups as a
pyramid. One paragraph is devoted to the benefits of fruits
and vegetables. One paragraph is devoted to the benefits
of breads and carbohydrates, etc.
Example Page- “We do”
Directions: Read the
passage to yourself as I
read it aloud
1. Decide which map
to use from below
2. Fill in the map
3. Highlight key
words
4. Identify the text
structure
Which is better for students to use regular pencils or lead
pencils? Usually teaches prefer that students use regular
pencils because lead pencils distract students. They often
play with the lead. Regular lead pencils do not run out of
lead. Regular pencils are clearly labeled with #2, so that
you know you are using the right lead when you take an
important test. Regular pencils are decorated with lots of
patterns, designs and sometimes even have messages
printed on them. Students usually like to use lead pencils.
Why? You don’t have to sharpen lead pencils. Teachers
don’t like it when students get up to sharpen pencils in the
middle of class. Lead pencils are “cooler” than regular
pencils. Regular pencils or lead pencils which one do you
think is better for students?
Organizational Pattern:____________________________
Example Page
Directions: Your teacher will hand you a short
passage.
1. Glue it into your flipbook
2. Highlight key words
3. Identify the text structure
4. Draw a map of the organizational structure