Sequence
Compare and
Contrast
Description
Non-Fiction
Text
Structures
Problem and
Solution
Cause and
Effect
Description
A topic, idea, person, place, or thing is described
by listing its features, characteristics, or
examples.
For example
For instance
In addition
Specifically
Description
Is the following an example of the descriptive text structure?
Juan Ponce de Leon led many expeditions to the New World.
For example, he led the first European expedition to Florida
leaving on March 4, 1513.
Example
Non-example
Description
Is the following an example of the descriptive text structure?
While the Aztecs and the Mayans were both Native American
tribes in Florida, there are many differences between the two
tribes. The Mayans were very scientific, studying stars and
trying to measure time. However, the Aztecs were more warlike people who would wage war against their neighboring
tribes.
Example
Non-example
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organizer for the
descriptive text
structure!
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Sequence & Order
Describes events in order or explains the steps one
must follow to do something or make something.
First
Next
After
Then
Before
Finally
Sequence & Order
Is the following an example of the sequential text structure?
The thirteen colonies did not like being under British control
when they did not have a say in Parliament. Eventually the
thirteen colonies went to war in the American Revolution to
fight for their independence. When they won, the thirteen
colonies got to have their own government and were no
longer suppressed by the British.
Example
Non-example
Sequence & Order
Is the following an example of the sequential text structure?
In order to make a peanut butter sandwich, first you need to
take out two pieces of bread. Next, you need to get the
peanut butter and a knife. Then, you spread the peanut
butter on both slices of bread. After that, put the two pieces
of bread together. Finally, enjoy the delicious sandwich!
Example
Non-example
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our own graphic
organizer for the
sequence text
structure!
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Compare & Contrast
Shows how two or more things are alike and/or how
they are different.
Different
Alike
Contrast
Compare
Compare & Contrast
Is the following an example of the compare and contrast text
structure?
The legislative, executive, and judicial branches are all parts of
the government. While they are all parts of the government,
their roles are very different. The executive branch is run by
the President who can approve or veto bills. The legislative
branch includes the Senate and House of Representatives
who write bills to be made in to laws. The judicial branch
includes the Supreme Court who rules whether laws are
constitutional or unconstitutional.
Example
Non-example
Compare & Contrast
Is the following an example of the compare and contrast text
structure?
The thirteen colonies were not prepared to fight a war with
Great Britain, a strong power house with many resources that
the thirteen colonies did not have. Due to not being prepared,
the thirteen colonies faced many brutal battles during the
American Revolution, including times when they ran out of
bullets!
Example
Non-example
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compare and contrast text
structure!
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Cause & Effect
Shows a relationship between cause (event) and
effect (what happened because of the event).
As a result
Because
Cause
Effect
Due to
So
Cause & Effect
Is the following an example of the cause and effect text
structure?
The Spanish-American War was between Spain and the
United States. Spain sought compromise to the problems in
Cuba, but the United States refused. The Spanish-American
War was a ten-week war fought in both the Caribbean and
the Pacific, ending in the 1898 Treat of Paris.
Example
Non-example
Cause & Effect
Is the following an example of the cause and effect text
structure?
The Spanish-American War was called “a splendid little war”
by John Hay, the US ambassador to London. The cost of the
war was very high though, with 385 soldiers killed in the war
and another 5,000 dying of tropical mosquito born disease.
Example
Non-example
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cause and effect text
structure!
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Problem & Solution
Tells about a problem and then gives one or more
solutions.
As a result
Because
Issue
Problem
Due to
Therefore
Solve
Problem & Solution
Is the following an example of the problem and solution text
structure?
The thirteen colonies were very unprepared for the American
Revolution. They did not have their own armed force,
uniforms, weapons, or training. To help fix these issues, the
thirteen colonies received help and supplies from other
countries, including formal military training from Friedrich
von Steuben, a German soldier.
Example
Non-example
Problem & Solution
Is the following an example of the problem and solution text
structure?
When creating a political or physical map, there are many
necessary elements to include. These elements are a title,
compass rose, and a legend or a key.
Example
Non-example
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problem and solution text
structure!
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Practice
Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?
Tectonic plates are large masses of land on Earth. When these
plates move, it causes them to rub against each other, which
results in earthquakes.
Description
Sequence
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the following scenario illustrate?
Windows and Linux are both computer operating systems.
They both allow computers to run programs. Linux is free for
all users, however, Windows costs money for people to use.
Description
Sequence
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?
Description
Politicians have realized that
texting has recently become a
major reason for car accidents.
To solve this issue, many states
have tried to pass a law
prohibiting the use of cell
phones, especially texting,
while driving in order to reduce
the number of car accidents.
Sequence
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?
Chemical and physical changes
are both responsible for
changing matter. In a physical
change, the size or shape of the
matter may change, but it
continues to have the same
make-up. A chemical change is
different than a physical change
because it turns the matter into
a new kind of matter with
different properties.
Description
Sequence
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?
Description
Sequence
Hurricanes are large storms
with heavy winds and rains.
They begin in the ocean and
build up strength while moving
across the water. Hurricanes
can be very dangerous.
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?
The twist is a rock and roll style
dance. To do the twist, first
stand with your feet shoulder
width apart. Then, hold your
arms out from your body, bent
at the elbow. Next, rotate your
body as a whole, staying in the
same place. Finally, to add a
little style to your dance, you
can occasionally lift one leg off
of the floor.
Description
Sequence
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?
Description
Sequence
There are many reasons why
people dance. People can
dance for fun, for exercise, for
weight loss, or just to spend
time with others.
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the following
scenario illustrate?
Boston was home to the first public high
school in the US, which was opened in
1821. Seventy-nine years later, in 1900,
children in thirty-one states were
required to attend school until the age
of 14. In 1910, 72% of children were
attending school. By 1918, every state
required students to go to elementary
school. The Supreme Court ruled that
segregation based on race in schools
was unconstitutional in the case of
Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.
Description
Sequence
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?
Sarah was frequently absent from
school and missed a lot of work.
Sarah’s teacher knew something
needed to be done to fix Sarah’s
attendance, so she decided to call
Sarah’s parents in for a conference.
When Sarah’s teacher explained the
importance of attending school
regularly, her parents realized the
issue and made sure she attended
school every single day for the rest
of the year.
Description
Sequence
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Which text structure does the
following scenario illustrate?
Hurricane Katrina was a
hurricane that formed over the
Bahamas on August 23, 2005. It
was one of the five deadliest
hurricanes in the history of the
United States, killing at least
1,833 people. The total
property damage caused by
Hurricane Katrina was
estimated to be about $81
billion.
Description
Sequence
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution
Pyramid
Review
Game
•Students work with a partner.
•One partner sits facing the screen, the other partner
sits with their back to the screen.
•The person facing the screen will watch as the
teacher pops the bubbles and give their partner clues
so they can guess the word in the bubble.
•Once the word is guessed, the student will give clues
for the next work.
•Play continues until they reach the top of the
pyramid.
cause
and
effect
description
compare
and
contrast
text
structure
sequence
problem
and
solution