Text Structures
Text Structures
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.
Chronological order is
also called sequence Why might an author use
or time order chronological order to
write about this frog?
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
• But what if an
author doesn’t
want to show how
something
happened in
sequence?
• The author would
need to use
another text
structure!
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.
Compare and contrast
Goldfinch Cardinal
Both
Goldfinch Cardinal
Colors
Habitat
Graphic Organizers
This kind of
text structure is
called cause
and effect.
Cause and Effect
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!
Can you find
the causes and
effects in this
paragraph?
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.
Review
Which text structure tells about how things
are similar and different?
Compare and contrast
How does the text
structure of
compare and
contrast relate to
these pictures of a
frog and a toad?
Review
Which text structure explains how things
happen in time order?
Chronological Order
How do these
pictures relate to
chronological
order?
Problem and Solution Text Structure
Sometimes, an author
will want to explain a
problem, and then
show one or more
solutions.
Synonyms for
problem include
difficulty, struggle,
uncertainty, worry,
threat, and trouble
• Chronological order
• Compare and contrast
• Cause and effect
• Problem and solution
Match the clue words!
Can you figure out the text structure that these clue
words point to?
as a result,
consequently, Cause and
therefore, so, cause, effect
effect
Match the clue words!
Can you figure out the text structure that these clue
words point to?
problem, solution,
threat, difficulty, hope,
answer, possibility
Problem and
solution
On the next few slides,
you will read some
paragraphs about the
Great Chicago Fire.