TEXT STRUCTURE
How it fits together…
Sequence
Brainstorm experiences that call for a series
of steps, events, or follow an order.
Following a recipe
Telling a story
Over-seeding a lawn
Narrative StructureSEQUENCE
Define it:
A sequence of events or steps in a
process are being explained
Order
Sequence
Questions
What happened?
In what order did the events or stages
happen?
Sequence
Signal Words
After, afterward, as soon as, before,
during, finally, first, following,
immediately, initially, later, meanwhile,
next, not longer after, now, on (date),
preceding, second, soon, then, third,
until, when.
Sequence
Golden Eagles soar high along
ridges near their nests. Here, they
search for prey. When they spot
“a meal,” they attack it in a long
swoop. Then, they return with it to
their nests.
Description
Think about how you would…
Create a verbal picture of a friend
Create a verbal picture of Arrowhead
Stadium during a Chief’s game
Summarize the main theme of a movie
and how that theme was maintained
Which do you like best? Football or
Basketball? Why?
Expository Structure
DESCRIPTION
Define it:
An overall impression is being created and
developed through sensory details or a
main idea is being supported through
supporting details.
Description
Questions
What is the main idea?
What are the supporting details?
Who or What is this about?
What is the least important information about
the who or what?
What is the dominant impression?
What are the sensory impressions?
Description
Signal Words
For example, for instance, most important,
above, as in, appears to be, looks like, such
as, across, along, between, in back of, in front
of, outside, inside, to the right, left, etc.
Description
Golden Eagles are powerful raptors with
large dark brown bodies and small heads
with golden crowns. Their wings are strong
and can span 78 inches. They have a
short, dark, hooked beak and when they
pierce their prey with their long, slender
talons, they not only break the skin, they
break the bones as well.
Cause and Effect Structure
CAUSE AND EFFECT
How many of you left the house a little
later than you planned today? Why? What
was the cause? What was the result or
effect.
Expository Structure-
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Define it:
 Evidence of cause(s) and the subsequent
effect(s) are presented.
Cause and Effect Structures
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Cause and Effect helps to understand
relationships between
 Historical Events
 Problem elements in math
 Events in plot in stories, novels, plays.
 Processes in science
Cause-Effect Statements
CAUSE AND EFFECT
How do these two statements differ?
 The ball hit and the bell rang.
 The ball hit the target and the bell rang to
signal a hit.
One Cause, One Effect Statements
CAUSE AND EFFECT
 When John does not get praise from his
coach, he is rude to his teammates.
 John Steinbeck became famous shortly
after he wroth The Grapes of Wrath.
 After the drivers’ education course was
cancelled, several angry parents wrote
letters to the school board.
Once Cause and One Effect
CAUSE AND EFFECT
 The rock group performed last night
despite the protest raised by two groups of
concerned citizens.
 The surgeon became more worried once
the second series of hemorrhages had
taken place.
Multiple Causes and Effects
CAUSE AND EFFECT
 I will loan Angela twenty dollars since she
is trustworthy, honest, and my best friend.
 Though he never rode the bus to school,
Tom was always on time because he lived
only two blocks away and set his alarm
early every day.
Multiple Cause and Effects
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Years ago, a United States senator began
to worry about how federal money was
being spent. He studied some research
projects and felt they were silly. He
checked on what the government was
paying for certain supplies and equipment.
From these, he invented the Golden
Fleece Award. Each year it is given to the
most foolish governmental expense item.
CAUSE AND EFFECT
 Questions
 What are the causes and effects of this
event?
 What might happen if this happens?
CAUSE AND EFFECT
 Signal Words
 Because, therefore, as a result, because of,
if…then, may be due to…, when…then,
typically, for this reason, consequently, effects
of, is caused by, thus, in order to…
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Many Bald eagles were killed by
pesticides and illegal hunting. As a result,
they were in danger of becoming extinct.
Comparison - contrast
Tell how 2 movies, characters, books, etc.
are alike and different.
How are the skills needed to do ________
and __________ alike? Different?
Brainstorm Idea
Categories
Subject A
Orange
Subject B
Apple
shape
color
taste
Expository Structure-
COMPARE/CONTRAST
Define it:
Similarities and differences are presented
and discussed in text.
COMPARE/CONTRAST
 Questions
 What qualities of each thing correspond to
one another?
 What are similar and different qualities of
these things?
COMPARE/CONTRAST
 Signal Words
 Although, as well as, as opposed to, with,
different from, either…or, even though,
however, on the other hand, instead of, in
common, similar to, similarly, likewise, still,
etc.
COMPARE/CONTRAST
Golden Eagles are more apt to hunt for
prey, while Bald Eagles are more likely to
take an easy meal.
Problem-Solution
 Brainstorm problems and solutions
 Running out of gas on the way here today
 Calling AAA- not a member
 Walking to the nearest gas station – too far
 Called a friend to bring gas
Expository Structure-
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
 Questions
 What is the problem?
 What are possible solutions?
 How will the solution be implemented?
PROBLEM/SOLUTION
 Signal Words
 Therefore, for this reason, consequently, in
response to, thus, in order to…
Cause – Effect? Problem – Solution?
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
 When he could no longer get along with
his parents, he moved to his own
apartment.
 The hurricane knocked out power lines so
people resorted to using candles.
 Riots erupted in many cities after the news
of Martin Luther King’s death.
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
When a raptor species declines and
becomes endangered, scientists take wild
bird eggs to raise in captivity and increase
the number of birds.