Informational Text Structures

What are some signal words for the problem/solution text structure?

What are some signal words for the sequence/chronological order text structure?

What are some signal words for the description text structure?

What are some signal words for the compare and contrast text structure?

What are some signal words for the cause and effect structure?

“The earth’s crust is made up mostly of hard, rocky substances, though some of these substances have crumbled into dirt. The crust is many miles thick (though the part under the ocean is thinner than the part on the land). Underneath the crust is a layer called the mantle. The mantle is about 1,800 miles thick. Below the mantle is the earth’s core, which is made up of two layers called the inner core and outer core.” – Christopher Lampton, Earthquake, 1991

“Recently, scientists have gained an understanding of a crocodile’s reproductive activity. Prior to mating, there are stylized postures, jumping, submerged bubble blowing, and snout contact. After mating, hard-shelled eggs are laid in a nest, in a hole scooped in the sand. When it is time to hatch, the infant crocodiles begin a loud chirping sound that leads the female to the nest, which she excavates. Finally, when all the babies are accounted for, the mother crocodile transports them to the shallow water where they will remain under adult protection for weeks or months.”

Musk Oxen are not able to find very much to eat during the winter. Others, too, are hungry, including bands of hungry timber wolves, which sometimes follow the musk oxen. In spring, when the calves are born, the wolves become particularly menacing. To protect themselves and their calves, the musk oxen form a defensive ring, with calves and young animals in the middle. Even a dozen wolves attacking together stand little chance against that circle of lowered heads and sturdy horns.”-Bernard Stonehouse, Defenders, 1999, p. 26.

“Earthquakes happen all over the world in areas called seismic zones. Seismic zones occur where the plates of crust covering the Earth’s surface meet each other. Inside the Earth, the mantle is always moving, which in turn moves the plates. These plates push against each other, building up tension between them. When the tension between plates becomes too great, they grind against each other, causing the Earth’s surface to tremble and shake.”-Robert Neumiller, Planet Earth, Creative Discoveries, 2001, p. 52.

“All matter has both physical and chemical properties. Physical properties are those that can be observed without changing the make-up, or identity of the matter. Malleability is an example of a physical property. Chemical properties, however, describe matter based on its ability to change into a new form or substance. A chemical property of iron is its tendency to rust. ScienceSaurus, A Student Handbook, Great Source Educational Group, 2002, pgs. 251 – 252.