Text Structures Informational Text What are text structures

Text Structures Informational Text

What are text structures? l Text structures are organizational patterns for informational texts. l Authors use certain text structures to help their audience better understand the information presented.

What are the types of informational text structures? The most common are: l CAUSE AND EFFECT l COMPARE/CONTRAST l PROBLEM AND SOLUTION l SEQUENCE/CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER l DESCRIPTION

CAUSE AND EFFECT Definition l. Author presents facts or ideas as causes and the resulting effects

CAUSE AND EFFECT signal words/phrases l Effect l As a result l Because l Consequently l For this reason l If…then l Since l Therefore

COMPARE/CONTRAST Definition l Compares and contrasts specific elements of two or more things; how are they alike and different

COMPARE/CONTRAST signal words/phrases l Alike l As opposed to l Different l In common l On the other hand l Similar

PROBLEM AND SOLUTION Definition l Describes a problem and its solution(s)

PROBLEM AND SOLUTION signal words/phrases l Affect l As a result l Because l Consequently l For this reason l If…then l Since l therefore

SEQUENCE/ CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER Definition l Author lists events in chronological order based on time

SEQUENCE/CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER signal words/phrases l First l Next l Last l Then l After l Before l Later

DESCRIPTION Definition l Author describes a topic by listing characteristics, facts, attributes or examples

DESCRIPTION signal words/phrases l for example l characteristics l for instance l such as l is like l including l to illustrate

TEXT STRUCTURE GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS. . 1 st 9 WeeksThinking Maps. ppt

Let’s Practice l Read the following passage. Determine the text structure and explain how it contributes to the overall development of ideas.

In the game of volleyball, players hit a ball over a long net that stretches across a court. There are twelve players on the court at one time—six players per team. The game of tennis is similar to volleyball in that a ball is hit over a long net on a court, but this is all the two sports have in common. In tennis, the ball is hit with a racquet, and only two or four players are on the court at one time.

l In your small groups, discuss the following prompts. You may use your guided notes as a resource. 1. Determine the text structure of the passage. 2. Explain what clues led you to determine that text structure.

Now it’s your turn! l Your teacher will distribute an Informational Text Structures practice sheet to you. l Read each of the passages, highlight signal words/phrases, and determine the text structure for each one. l Be prepared to discuss as a class.