text structures

Description is one type of informational text structure. An author describes, or tells about, a topic and its characteristics

Characteristics are the things that make something different from others. A text that has a description structure will include details about a topic. 

Words and phrases like “for example,” “such as,” “looks like” and “for instance” can signal that description is being used. You may also see the words “many,” “some,” “including” and “most.”

The text structure sequence is also called time order or chronological

In texts that use sequence, authors tell about events in chronological order, the order that they happened.

Words that show sequence is being used include “first,” “next,” “then,” “before,” “during” and “after.” You may also see “now,” “last,” “finally,” “at the same time” or “meanwhile.” You’ll often find dates in the text, too.

Cause and effect is another text structure. A cause is something that makes something else happen, or the reason something happens. An effect is something that happens because of something else (a cause).

Words and phrases like “because,” “so,” “since,” and “due to” show that a cause and effect structure is being used. You may also see “therefore,” “as a result of” and “if...then…”

Can you guess how text with a problem and solution structure is organized? The author describes a problem and then explains how this problem was solved!

In text with a problem and solution structure, you may find words and phrases like “problem,” “issue,” “solution,” “question” and “answer.” You may also see “since,” “as a result,” “so” and “leads to.”

Compare and contrast is another text structure. To compare is to explain how things are similar. To contrast is to explain how they’re different.

In a text with a compare and contrast structure, authors explain how something is similar to and different from something else.

Words and phrases that show compare and contrast is being used include “similar,” “same,” “alike,” “in contrast,” “unlike” and “both.” You may also see “on the other hand” and “however.”