Animations Disclaimer

We hope you find the information on our website and resources useful.
PowerPoi
nt
This resource has been designed with animations to make it as fun and engaging
as possible. To view the content in the correct formatting, please view the
PowerPoint in “slide show mode.” This takes you from desktop to presentation
mode. If you view the slides out of “slide show mode,” you may find that some of
the text and images overlap each other and/or are difficult to read.

To enter slide show mode, go to the slide show menu tab and select either from
beginning or from current slide.

Slides
This resource has been designed with animations to make it fun and engaging for
children.
To ensure the content has the correct formatting, please view the presentation in
“present mode.” This takes you from edit mode to presentation mode. If you view
the slides out of “present mode,” you may find that some of the text and images
overlap each other and/or are difficult to read.

To enter present mode, go to the “Present” tab and select “Present from
beginning” or simply click “Present” to play from the current slide.

You may wish to delete this slide before beginning the presentation.
 Success Criteria
At the end of the lesson, you will be asked to reflect on your
ability to meet the success criteria listed.

Define common types of informational text structure.

Identify the structure of an informational text.

Evaluate how a section of the text fits into the overall

structure of the text.

Evaluate how the structure of a text works to help the

author achieve their purpose for writing.

Explain why an author used a certain structure based on

their purpose for writing an informational text.
 Warm-up
Think about the different types of informational texts listed below.
What are the features of these texts? How are they organized?
A restaurant menu - features
A newspaper article - features a
pictures, names, and short
title and text, may have a picture
descriptions of items on the menu,
and is organized in paragraphs in
organized by type of food or part
the relevant sections of the paper
of a meal (Lunch, Dinner,
(Sports, News, etc.).
Dessert).
A section about World War II in a Recipes from a cookbook -
history textbook - features features the name of the dish, a
pictures or a timeline of events; list of ingredients, and step-by-
events are likely listed in step instructions for making the
chronological order. food.
A section about types of rocks in a science textbook - features
information about the different types of rocks and likely includes
pictures and diagrams to summarize the similarities and differences,
organized by type of rock or from more general to more specific
information.
 What Is Text Structure?
A text’s structure is the way the ideas of the text are organized
or put together.

• Author’s use a text structure that will best present the ideas of
the text based on their purpose for writing.

• Understanding text structure allows us to read critically and

better understand the ideas of the text.
o This has the added benefit of helping us organize our own
writing strategically!
 What Is Text Structure?
A text’s structure is the way the ideas of the text are organized
or put together.

• Common Types of Informational Text Structures:

o Cause & Effect
o Compare & Contrast
o Description
o Problem & Solution
o Sequence

• There are other types of text structures, but these five

are a starting point!

• Let’s take a look at each type in more detail …

Cause & Effect Text Structure
The text describes an event (the cause) and then what occurs as
a result (the effect).
 Compare & Contrast Text
Structure
The text discusses similarities and differences between two or
more topics.
 Description Text Structure
The text gives details or characteristics about a topic.
 Problem & Solution Text
Structure
The text details information about a problem and explains one or
more solutions to the problem.
 Sequence Text Structure
The text provides details in chronological (time) order or lists the
steps in a procedure.
Let’s Check
Our
Understandin ? ? Quiz

g!
1. Define text structure.

The way the ideas of the text are Answer click

organized. here

2. Match the text structure with its definition.

Text Structures: Cause & Effect, Compare & Contrast, Description, Problem
& Solution, or Sequence
Text Structure Definition
a) The text provides details in chronological (time) order or lists
Sequence the steps in a procedure
b) Problem & The text details information about a problem and explains one
Solution or more solutions to the problem
c) Compare & The text discusses similarities and differences between two or
Contrast more topics
d) The text gives details or characteristics about a topic
Description
e) Cause & The text describes an event and then what occurs as a result
Effect
 How Do Readers Identify Text
Structure?
To identify a text’s structure …
• Identify the topic(s) of the text
o The topic of the text is who or what the text is most about. Look
for repeated words or phrases.
o Note: There may be more than one topic.

• Summarize the important information about the topic(s) as you read.

o The most important information about the topic of a text is the
main or central idea.

• Identify the author’s purpose for writing the text.

o Look for details that reveal tone and purpose.

• Identify the structure of the text.

o Search for details that signal the structure.
 How Do Readers Identify Text
Structure?
To identify a text’s structure …

• Identify the structure of the text.

o Search for details that signal the structure.

The features of different text structures offer clues for the reader of how
the ideas of the text are related and which structure an author is using.

For example …
• A text with more than one
topic
• The content of the introduction and conclusion of the
text
• Use of transition words and
phrases
Let’s look at the features of each text type in greater detail …
 Features of the Cause & Effect Text
Structure Conclusion:
Introduction: Body: • Summarizes
• Introduces a • Paragraphs explain cause(s) and/or
cause further details about effect(s)
• AND/OR cause(s) and/or • Emphasizes the
Introduces effect(s). relationship
effect(s) • Transition Words: as a between cause
result, because, if/then, and effect
consequently, therefore,
and more!
Features of the Compare & Contrast
Text Structure
Conclusion:
Introductio Body:
• Summarize
n: • Paragraphs detail similarities
similarities and
• Introduces between two or more topics.
differences and
two or • Paragraphs detail differences
the significance of
more between two or more topics.
these
topics • Transition Words: similarly,
likewise, on the other hand,
and more!
 Features of the Description Text
Structure
Introduction: Body: Conclusion:
• Introduces • Paragraphs give • Summarizes
overall topic information about smaller and emphasizes
parts of the overall topic important
(subtopics). information
• Transition Words: for about the topic.
example, additionally, and
more!
Features of the Problem & Solution Text
Structure
Conclusion:
Introductio Body:
• Summarizes
n: • Paragraphs discuss more details
• Introduce problem and
about the problem or may
emphasizes
sa summarize different possible
effectiveness/i
problem solutions.
• It may include a positive or mportance of
solution.
negative tone and persuasive
techniques.
• Transition Words: because,
consequently, as a result, and
more!
 Features of the Sequence Text
Introduction: Structure
Body: Conclusion:
• Introduces an • Paragraphs discuss steps • Summarizes
event or or events in the order they events and/or
process to be occur. final results.
explained. • Transition Words: next,
first, second, finally, and
more!
Let’s Check
Our
Understandin ? ? Quiz

g!
1. Pick one of the text structures below. Describe some of
the features of that structure.

Text Structures: Cause & Effect,

Compare & Contrast, Description,
Problem & Solution, or Sequence
 Text Structure and Author’s
Purpose
Some important ideas to remember …
• An author’s purpose guides how they structure their writing.

• Authors will use specific text structures to organize their ideas.

• Examples:
• To persuade readers to reduce their plastic use, an author may
use a Problem-Solution text structure.
• To inform readers how to write a resume, an author may use a
Sequence text structure.
• Authors will use voice and point of view to engage and appeal to their
readers.
• Examples:
• To entertain readers with a story, an author may use a 3rd-
person point of view so that the reader has more information
than the characters in the story.
• To persuade the reader, an author may use rhetorical questions
and a 2nd-person point of view to appeal to the reader’s
emotion.
• This allows authors to achieve their purpose for writing!
 Text Structure Questions
Some important ideas to remember …

• Questions for this skill

• Or questions may ask
may be written like the
how one part of the
following …
text fits into the overall
• Which of the
text …
following best
• How does paragraph
describes the
[6] fit into the overall
structure of this
structure of the text?
text?
Let’s Check
Our Turn and
Understandin Do
g!
Identify the structure of the text.

To make scones, first mix your

Scones are a type of baked
dry ingredients together (flour,
good that can be made with a
sugar, baking powder, and salt).
variety of flavors. They contain
Next, grate the butter and mix
baking powder, which allows
it into the dry ingredients.
them to rise, and are typically
Whisk heavy cream, egg, and
cut into triangles. Sometimes,
vanilla together and pour over
scones are topped with a sweet
dry ingredients and butter mix.
glaze.
Mix thoroughly.

Description text structure Sequence text structure (one

(one topic with various topic, steps, time, and order
details) relationship words)
Let’s Check
Our Turn and
Understandin Do
g!
Identify the structure of the text.
Scones are delicious but can be
Scones and muffins are both
somewhat unhealthy. Using
baked goods that can be sweet
yogurt or whole wheat flour can
or savory. However, scones
make this baked good healthier
more closely resemble biscuits
while maintaining flavor.
because of how the butter is
Skipping the sweet glaze for a
“cut” into the dry ingredients
dusting of powdered sugar or
and the baking powder. Muffins
no topping at all is another
have a softer texture like that of
suggestion. Your scones will still
cake.
be delicious.
Compare & contrast text Problem & Solution text
structure (two topics, structure (introduces the
comparison transition problem of unhealthiness,
words) offers a solution - different
ingredients)
Let’s Check
Our Turn and
Understandin Do
g!
Identify the structure of the text.

Scones have a flaky texture due to several key ingredients. The first of
these is butter and how the butter is added to the mixture. Grating or
cutting the butter into small pieces will create layers of fat (butter) and
the rest of the dough. Another reason for this delicious flaky texture is
the baking powder. Baking powder is a leavening agent, which means it
creates gas. This gas makes the scone rise during baking.

Cause & Effect text structure (effect - flaky texture; causes -

butter and baking powder)
 Exit Ticket:
Content Exit
Check Ticket
Identify the structure of the text.
Summarize the steps to identifying a text’s structure.

Identify the structure of the text below. Be sure to

explain what features helped you to identify the
structure.
A financial expert is someone who knows a lot about money and how best
to use it. If you were to ask five different financial experts what to do with
extra money, you may receive five different answers. Some experts may
suggest saving the money in a high-yield savings account so that you can
make money on the interest. Others may advise you to invest the money
and make money on the return from those investments. Although experts
may have different opinions, most, if not all, agree that a good financial
plan starts with saving money carefully and living within your means.
 Exit Ticket:
Exit
Self- Ticket
Assessment
How well do you understand analyzing the structure of an informational
text?
Reread our success criteria below:
Success Criteria
Define Evaluate how the
Evaluate how a
common Identify the structure of a text
section of the
types of structure of an works to help the
text fits into the
informational informational author achieve
overall structure
text text. their purpose for
of the text.
structure. writing.
Explain why an author used a certain structure based on their purpose
for writing an informational text.
Which option below best matches how you feel about your ability to meet
the success criteria above?
1 = I do not 2 = I am 4 = I understand very
3=I
understand starting to well.
understand!
yet. understand. I get it and could
I’ve got this
I need a lot of I need a little confidently teach it to
down!
help. bit of help. others.
Why did you select that number? Explain.