Understanding Text Structures

What is a text structure?

• A “structure” is a
building or framework

• “Text structure” refers

to how a piece of text
is built
 What is a text structure?
• Builders can use
different kinds of
structures to build
different things
• A skyscraper, for
example, is a different
kind of structure from
a house
What is a text structure?
• Writers use different
structures to build
their ideas
• Each text structure
communicates ideas in
a different way
Description
• Describes
something by
listing its
features,
characteristics,
or examples.
Signal Words
• To begin with, to
illustrate, for instance,
such as, an example,
including, and
characteristics are.
• It emphasizes sizes,
shapes, colors, and
details.
 Descriptive
• The Olympic symbol consists of five
interlocking rings. The rings represent the five
continents-Africa, Asia, Europe, North
America, and South America-from which
athletes come to compete in the games. The
rings are colored black, blue, green, red, and
yellow. At least one of these colors is found in
the flag of every country sending athletes to
compete in the Olympic games.
 Descriptive
• The Olympic symbol consists of five
interlocking rings. The rings represent the five
continents-Africa, Asia, Europe, North
America, and South America-from which
athletes come to compete in the games. The
rings are colored black, blue, green, red, and
yellow. At least one of these colors is found in
the flag of every country sending athletes to
compete in the Olympic games.
Sequence
• Describes events in
order, or tells the
steps to follow in
order to make or do
something.
• The “How-to”
Signal Words
• First, second, third,
later, next, before,
then, finally, after,
when, last, now,
soon, following,
previously
 Example Paragraph
• Have you ever made mac’ n cheese? It’s
simple. First, you need to boil water. Then,
you will add the noodles and cook until
tender. After, you will drain the pasta.
Finally, you add the cheese and stir until
melted.
 Signal Words
• Have you ever made mac’ n cheese? It’s
simple. First, you need to boil water. Then,
you will add the noodles and cook until
tender. After, you will drain the pasta.
Finally, you add the cheese and stir until
melted.
 Chronological order
• Authors use
chronological order to
explain how things
happen in order
• Chronological order is
also time order
Chronological order
• You will know that
you are reading a text
in chronological order
because you will see
words like first, next,
later, then, and finally
 Chronological order
• You will often see chronological order in
biographies and stories that are told from
beginning to end
One day a frog decided he would take an
adventure. First, the frog decided that he would
fly a kite . Then, he wanted to go on a boat ride
over the biggest river. After he went to the Blue
Lake Spa to relax. In the end, he went home with
a smile on his face of a day well spent!
 Chronological order
• You will often see chronological order in
stories:
One day a frog decided he would take an
adventure. First, the frog decided that he would
fly a kite . Then, he wanted to go on a boat ride
over the biggest river. After he went to the Blue
Lake Spa to relax. In the end, he went home
with a smile on his face of a day well spent!
 Which paragraph is in
chronological order?
Pennsylvania has many Through the ages,
historic sites. You can visit Pennsylvania has seen many
interesting events. The state
Revolutionary war sites, like was founded in 1681 by
Valley Forge. You can also William Penn. Later,
visit important locations Pennsylvania was the site of
from the Civil War, like important Revolutionary War
Gettysburg. Finally, you can battles. After that, Pennsylvania
was home to new factories
also see the site of the first
during the Industrial
oil well in Titusville. Revolution. Today,
Pennsylvania has many neat Pennsylvania continues to make
places to visit! history.
 Which paragraph is in
chronological order?
Through the ages,
Pennsylvania has seen many
This is the interesting events. The state
paragraph in was founded in 1681 by
William Penn. Later,
chronological Pennsylvania was the site of
order. Can you find important Revolutionary War
the clue words that battles. After that, Pennsylvania
was home to new factories
show this order? during the Industrial
Revolution. Today,
Pennsylvania continues to make
history.
 Which paragraph is in
chronological order?
Through the ages,
Pennsylvania has seen many
This is the interesting events. The state
paragraph in was founded in 1681 by
William Penn. Later,
chronological Pennsylvania was the site of
order. Can you find important Revolutionary War
the clue words that battles. After that, Pennsylvania
was home to new factories
show this order? during the Industrial
Revolution. Today,
Pennsylvania continues to make
history.
Compare and Contrast
• Suppose an author
wanted to explain how
these two birds are
similar and different
• Chronological order
wouldn’t work---there is
no order of events
• The author would need to
use compare and contrast
Another text structure
The cardinal and the cedar waxwing
are two common birds. Both have crests
on their heads. Both are common at
birdfeeders. But the birds have some
differences. The male cardinal is a bright
red, while the waxwing is brown. The
cedar waxwing often migrates from
place to place. On the other hand, the
cardinal stays in one place year after
year.
Can you find the clue words?
The cardinal and the cedar waxwing
are two common birds. Both have crests
on their heads. Both are common at
birdfeeders. But the birds have some
differences. The male cardinal is a bright
red, while the waxwing is brown. The
cedar waxwing often migrates from
place to place. On the other hand, the
cardinal stays in one place year after
year.
Here they are!
The cardinal and the cedar waxwing
are two common birds. Both have crests
on their heads. Both are common at
birdfeeders. But the birds have some
differences. The male cardinal is a bright
red, while the waxwing is brown. The
cedar waxwing often migrates from
place to place. On the other hand, the
cardinal stays in one place year after
year.
Compare and contrast graphic organizer

• To organize details
from a paragraph in
compare and contrast,
use a Venn diagram
 Cause and Effect
• Sometimes, a writer will want to explain
how one event leads to another
• This kind of text structure is called cause
and effect
 Cause and effect clue words
• When authors write
paragraphs to show
causes and effects,
they use words like
cause, effect, as a
result, consequently,
and so
Can you find the clue words?
The night’s snowstorm had many effects.
People were out shoveling snow from their
sidewalks. The power lines were draped
with ice. Snow plows drove down every
street. Children were the happiest of all.
The unexpected snow caused school to be
cancelled!
Can you find the clue words?
The night’s snowstorm had many effects.
People were out shoveling snow from their
sidewalks. The power lines were draped
with ice. Snow plows drove down every
street. Children were the happiest of all.
The unexpected snow caused school to be
cancelled!
 More with cause and effect
Baby painted turtles spend all winter in
their nests. They have special chemicals in
their blood that can keep their blood from
freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles
can survive freezing temperatures!
 More with cause and effect
Baby painted turtles spend all winter in
their nests. They have special chemicals in
their blood that can keep their blood from
freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles
can survive freezing temperatures!

This is the
cause
 More with cause and effect
Baby painted turtles spend all winter in
their nests. They have special chemicals in
their blood that can keep their blood from
freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles
can survive freezing temperatures!
This is the
effect
Problem and Solution

• Sometimes, an author
will want to explain a
problem, and then
show one or more
solutions
• This kind of text
structure is called
problem and solution
 An example of problem and solution
Park School had a
terrible problem. Every
day at recess, students
would argue over the
slides. Teachers had to
spend time every day
taking care of the
arguments. Finally, one
teacher came up with a
great solution. They
bought another set of
slides that everyone could
enjoy.
 An example of problem and solution

Park School had a terrible

problem. Every day at • Can you find the
recess, students would
argue over the slides. problem and the
Teachers had to spend solution in this
time every day taking care paragraph?
of the arguments. Finally,
one teacher came up with
a great solution. They
bought another set of
slides that everyone could
enjoy.
 An example of problem and solution

Park School had a terrible

problem. Every day at
recess, students would
Here is the
argue over the slides. problem
Teachers had to spend
time every day taking care
of the arguments. Finally,
one teacher came up with
a great solution. They
bought another set of
slides that everyone could
enjoy.
 An example of problem and solution

Park School had a terrible

problem. Every day at
recess, students would
Here is the
argue over the slides. problem
Teachers had to spend
time every day taking care
of the arguments. Finally,
one teacher came up with Here is the
a great solution. They solution
bought another set of
slides that everyone could
enjoy.
 A more difficult problem and solution
paragraph
The Chesapeake Bay faces an
uncertain future. Issues such as
pesticides, too many nutrients,
What is the and habitat loss all threaten the
problem? Bay’s water quality and animal
life. However, scientists are
What is the hopeful that the future may be
brighter. If everyone in the
solution? Chesapeake Bay watershed
works together, solutions may be
found.
 A more difficult problem and solution
paragraph
The Chesapeake Bay faces an
uncertain future. Issues such as
pesticides, too many nutrients,
Problem and habitat loss all threaten the
Bay’s water quality and animal
life. However, scientists are
hopeful that the future may be
brighter. If everyone in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed
Solution works together, solutions may be
found.
 Classification
• It divides a -As you read,
topic into you can see that
subtopics the topic is being
broken down or
explained in
depth
 Classification
Signal Words:
classify, classification, classes, categorize,
category, divisions, groups, kinds, types,
varieties, methods, several, include, other,
genre, various, features, parts,

(repeated words)
 Classification
• A first date can end up being categorized as successful, a clingy, a
boastful, or a awkward one. Successful first dates include both
parties expressing information about what they like, who they are,
and so forth. Usually, these dates will end in tentative plans for a
second one. Clingy dates end up with one of the parties practically
begging for information about the other. However, the non-clinger
is not interested. On boastful dates, one member of the duo talks
about all of his or her skills, talents, and abilities. The listening end
of the pair is never asked about his or her life. Awkward first dates
generally involve lots of silence or one or both of the partners not
knowing how to act appropriately. While many dates occur every
day, they can generally fall into one of these categories.
 Classification
• A first date can end up being categorized as successful, a clingy, a
boastful, or a awkward one. Successful first dates include both
parties expressing information about what they like, who they are,
and so forth. Usually, these dates will end in tentative plans for a
second one. Clingy dates end up with one of the parties practically
begging for information about the other. However, the non-clinger
is not interested. On boastful dates, one member of the duo talks
about all of his or her skills, talents, and abilities. The listening end
of the pair is never asked about his or her life. Awkward first dates
generally involve lots of silence or one or both of the partners not
knowing how to act appropriately. While many dates occur every
day, they can generally fall into one of these categories.
Sample Graphic for Classification
 Now it’s your turn!
• On the next few slides,
you will read some
paragraphs about the
Great Chicago Fire
• Your task is to decide on
the text structure for each
one
• Understanding the text
structure will help you to
understand each paragraph
 What’s the text structure?
Daniel Sullivan was the first to notice the
• Chronological flames coming from the O’Leary barn at
order around 8:30 pm on October 8. A problem with
the alarm box made it impossible for the
• Compare and people in the area to call for the fire
contrast department. By 9:30 pm, the entire block was
• Cause and blazing. In another 3 hours, there were fires all
over Chicago. The heavy wind coming from
effect
the lake only made the fire bigger. It would be
• Problem and another day before the fire would be
solution completely out. By that time, 17,500 buildings
had been burned.
• Main idea
 What’s the text structure?
Daniel Sullivan was the first to notice the
• Chronological flames coming from the O’Leary barn at
order around 8:30 pm on October 8. A problem with
the alarm box made it impossible for the
• Compare and people in the area to call for the fire
contrast department. By 9:30 pm, the entire block was
blazing. In another 3 hours, there were fires all
over Chicago. The heavy wind coming from
• Problem and the lake only made the fire bigger. It would be
solution another day before the fire would be
completely out. By that time, 17,500 buildings
had been burned.
 What’s the text structure?
Daniel Sullivan was the first to notice the
• Chronological flames coming from the O’Leary barn at
order around 8:30 pm on October 8. A problem with
the alarm box made it impossible for the
people in the area to call for the fire
department. By 9:30 pm, the entire block was
blazing. In another 3 hours, there were fires all
over Chicago. The heavy wind coming from
the lake only made the fire bigger. It would be
another day before the fire would be
completely out. By that time, 17,500 buildings
had been burned.
 What’s the text structure?
Daniel Sullivan was the first to notice the
• Chronological flames coming from the O’Leary barn at
order around 8:30 pm on October 8. A problem with
the alarm box made it impossible for the
people in the area to call for the fire
department. By 9:30 pm, the entire block was
blazing. In another 3 hours, there were fires
all over Chicago. The heavy wind coming
from the lake only made the fire bigger. It
would be another day before the fire would be
completely out. By that time, 17,500 buildings
had been burned.
 What’s the text structure?
Daniel Sullivan was the first to notice the
• Chronological flames coming from the O’Leary barn at
order around 8:30 pm on October 8. A problem with
the alarm box made it impossible for the
people in the area to call for the fire
• Notice how department. By 9:30 pm, the entire block was
the paragraph blazing. In another 3 hours, there were fires
all over Chicago. The heavy wind coming
shows how
from the lake only made the fire bigger. It
events happen would be another day before the fire would be
in time order completely out. By that time, 17,500 buildings
had been burned.
 What’s the text structure?
Daniel Sullivan was the first to notice the
• Understanding flames coming from the O’Leary barn at
that this text is around 8:30 pm on October 8. A problem with
written in the alarm box made it impossible for the
chronological people in the area to call for the fire
order can help department. By 9:30 pm, the entire block was
you to blazing. In another 3 hours, there were fires
all over Chicago. The heavy wind coming
understand
from the lake only made the fire bigger. It
how the Great would be another day before the fire would be
Fire started completely out. By that time, 17,500 buildings
had been burned.
 Try another!
• Chronological Why was the Great Chicago Fire so
disastrous? After all, Chicago had fire
order departments and fire alarms. One
• Compare and reason for the terrible fire is that the
alarm malfunctioned. The local fire
contrast company noticed the fire by accident
• Cause and as it was returning from another fire.
As another problem, a watchman who
effect saw the flames directed other fire
• Problem and companies to a location that was nearly
solution a mile away from the fire. Because of
these two problems, a fire that could
• Main idea have been controlled rapidly spread
across the city.
 Try another!
Why was the Great Chicago Fire so
disastrous? After all, Chicago had fire
• Compare and departments and fire alarms. One
contrast reason for the terrible fire is that the
alarm malfunctioned. The local fire
• Cause and company noticed the fire by accident
effect as it was returning from another fire.
As another problem, a watchman who
• Problem and saw the flames directed other fire
solution companies to a location that was nearly
a mile away from the fire. Because of
these two problems, a fire that could
have been controlled rapidly spread
across the city.
 Try another!
Why was the Great Chicago Fire so
disastrous? After all, Chicago had fire
departments and fire alarms. One
• Cause and reason for the terrible fire is that the
alarm malfunctioned. The local fire
effect company noticed the fire by accident
as it was returning from another fire.
As another problem, a watchman who
saw the flames directed other fire
companies to a location that was nearly
a mile away from the fire. Because of
these two problems, a fire that could
have been controlled rapidly spread
across the city.
 Try another!
Why was the Great Chicago Fire so
disastrous? After all, Chicago had fire
departments and fire alarms. One
• Cause and reason for the terrible fire is that the
alarm malfunctioned. The local fire
effect company noticed the fire by accident
• Notice how as it was returning from another fire.
As another problem, a watchman who
the causes (in saw the flames directed other fire
blue) lead to companies to a location that was nearly
the effect (in a mile away from the fire. Because of
these two problems, a fire that could
yellow) have been controlled rapidly spread
across the city.
 What text structure is here?
After the fire, thousands of people were left
• Chronological homeless. Many escaped the fire with
nothing except the clothes on their backs.
order Providing all of these people with food, clean
• Compare and water, and shelter was a huge task. Luckily,
contrast the city quickly formed a Relief and Aid
Society. This group started giving out the
• Cause and effect food donations that were pouring in from
• Problem and other cities. The society built places for
people to live, gathered the tools that people
solution
needed to rebuild their houses, and even
• Main idea vaccinated 64,000 people against smallpox.
 What text structure is here?
After the fire, thousands of people were left
• Chronological homeless. Many escaped the fire with
nothing except the clothes on their backs.
order Providing all of these people with food, clean
water, and shelter was a huge task. Luckily,
the city quickly formed a Relief and Aid
• Cause and effect Society. This group started giving out the
• Problem and food donations that were pouring in from
solution other cities. The society built places for
people to live, gathered the tools that people
needed to rebuild their houses, and even
vaccinated 64,000 people against smallpox.
 What text structure is here?
After the fire, thousands of people were left
homeless. Many escaped the fire with
nothing except the clothes on their backs.
• Problem and Providing all of these people with food, clean
solution water, and shelter was a huge task. Luckily,
the city quickly formed a Relief and Aid
Society. This group started giving out the
food donations that were pouring in from
other cities. The society built places for
people to live, gathered the tools that people
needed to rebuild their houses, and even
vaccinated 64,000 people against smallpox.
 What text structure is here?
After the fire, thousands of people were left
homeless. Many escaped the fire with
nothing except the clothes on their backs.
• Problem and Providing all of these people with food, clean
solution water, and shelter was a huge task. Luckily,
the city quickly formed a Relief and Aid
Society. This group started giving out the
• Here is the food donations that were pouring in from
problem other cities. The society built places for
people to live, gathered the tools that people
needed to rebuild their houses, and even
vaccinated 64,000 people against smallpox.
 What text structure is here?
After the fire, thousands of people were left
homeless. Many escaped the fire with
nothing except the clothes on their backs.
• Problem and Providing all of these people with food, clean
solution water, and shelter was a huge task. Luckily,
the city quickly formed a Relief and Aid
Society. This group started giving out the
• Here is the food donations that were pouring in from
solution other cities. The society built places for
people to live, gathered the tools that people
needed to rebuild their houses, and even
vaccinated 64,000 people against smallpox.
 Can you find the text structure?
Chicago changed in many ways after the
• Chronological fire. Before the fire, most of the
buildings were less than five stories high.
order The buildings that were constructed
• Compare and after the fire, however, were some of the
contrast first skyscrapers in the country. Before
the fire, most of the houses were made
• Cause and of wood. After the fire, people chose to
effect build their houses out of stone or brick.
• Problem and There were changes in where people lived,
as well. The poor people in the city lived
solution close to the center of the city before the
• Main idea fire. After the fire, they moved into
neighborhoods that were farther away
from the downtown area.
 Can you find the text structure?
Chicago changed in many ways after the
• Compare and fire. Before the fire, most of the
buildings were less than five stories high.
contrast The buildings that were constructed
• Cause and after the fire, however, were some of the
effect first skyscrapers in the country. Before
the fire, most of the houses were made
• Main idea of wood. After the fire, people chose to
build their houses out of stone or brick.
There were changes in where people lived,
as well. The poor people in the city lived
close to the center of the city before the
fire. After the fire, they moved into
neighborhoods that were farther away
from the downtown area.
 Can you find the text structure?
Chicago changed in many ways after the
• Compare and fire. Before the fire, most of the
buildings were less than five stories high.
contrast The buildings that were constructed
after the fire, however, were some of the
first skyscrapers in the country. Before
the fire, most of the houses were made
of wood. After the fire, people chose to
build their houses out of stone or brick.
There were changes in where people lived,
as well. The poor people in the city lived
close to the center of the city before the
fire. After the fire, they moved into
neighborhoods that were farther away
from the downtown area.
 Can you find the text structure?
Chicago changed in many ways after the
• Compare and fire. Before the fire, most of the
buildings were less than five stories high.
contrast The buildings that were constructed
after the fire, however, were some of the
first skyscrapers in the country. Before
Notice how the fire, most of the houses were made
this paragraph is of wood. After the fire, people chose to
comparing build their houses out of stone or brick.
Chicago There were changes in where people lived,
as well. The poor people in the city lived
BEFORE the close to the center of the city before the
fire to Chicago fire. After the fire, they moved into
AFTER the fire neighborhoods that were farther away
from the downtown area.
 Can you find the text structure?
Chicago changed in many ways after the
• Compare and fire. Before the fire, most of the
buildings were less than five stories high.
contrast The buildings that were constructed
after the fire, however, were some of the
first skyscrapers in the country. Before
Notice how the fire, most of the houses were made
this paragraph is of wood. After the fire, people chose to
comparing build their houses out of stone or brick.
Chicago There were changes in where people lived,
as well. The poor people in the city lived
BEFORE the close to the center of the city before the
fire to Chicago fire. After the fire, they moved into
AFTER the fire neighborhoods that were farther away
from the downtown area.
 One more paragraph!
By Monday night, the town of • Chronological
Chicago was burning. People order
described it as terrible, but • Compare and
amazing. The flames were brighter contrast
than anything people had ever
• Cause and effect
seen. The harsh winds swept the
fire across the city with terrible • Problem and
speed. For many who watched, it solution
was a sight to remember for the • Main idea
rest of their lives.
 One more paragraph!
By Monday night, the town of • Compare and
Chicago was burning. People contrast
described it as terrible, but • Cause and effect
amazing. The flames were brighter
than anything people had ever
seen. The harsh winds swept the • Main idea
fire across the city with terrible
speed. For many who watched, it
was a sight to remember for the
rest of their lives.
 One more paragraph!
By Monday night, the town of
Chicago was burning. People • Main idea
described it as terrible, but
amazing. The flames were brighter
than anything people had ever
seen. The harsh winds swept the
fire across the city with terrible
speed. For many who watched, it
was a sight to remember for the
rest of their lives.
 One more paragraph!
By Monday night, the town of
Chicago was burning. People • Main idea
described it as terrible, but
amazing. The flames were brighter
than anything people had ever • Notice the
seen. The harsh winds swept the main idea
fire across the city with terrible
speed. For many who watched, it
was a sight to remember for the
rest of their lives.
 One more paragraph!
By Monday night, the town of
Chicago was burning. People • Main idea
described it as terrible, but
amazing. The flames were brighter
than anything people had ever • Notice the
seen. The harsh winds swept the main idea
fire across the city with terrible
speed. For many who watched, it • The rest of the
was a sight to remember for the sentences
rest of their lives.
explain the
main idea
What have you learned about text
structures?

• Share your ideas with a partner

• Be sure to explain how you can find the text
structure of a paragraph