Understanding Text Structures

What is a text structure?

• A “structure” is a

building or
framework

• “Text structure”

refers to how a text
is written

Types of Text Structure

• Chronological
• Cause and Effect
• Compare and

contrast

• Description
• Problem and

solution

• Sequence

Chronological order

Information is
organized in time of
order
Chrono=time
Logic=order

Key Word : first, next,
later, then, and
finally

Which paragraph is in

chronological order?

Pennsylvania has many

historic sites. You can visit
Revolutionary war sites, like
Valley Forge. You can also
visit important locations
from the Civil War, like
Gettysburg. Finally, you can
also see the site of the first
oil well in Titusville.
Pennsylvania has many neat
places to visit!

Through the ages,

Pennsylvania has seen
many interesting events.
The state was founded in
1681 by William Penn.
Later, Pennsylvania was the
site of important
Revolutionary War battles.
After that, Pennsylvania
was home to new factories
during the Industrial
Revolution. Today,
Pennsylvania continues to
make history.

Cause and Effect

Cause -is why something happen

Effect-what happened

• Key Words: 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!

Compare and Contrast

• Shows how two or

more things are
alike and different

•Key Words:

same as, different
from, similar, alike,
both,

Can you find the clue words?

The cardinal and the cedar

waxwing are two common birds.
Both have crests on their heads.
Both are common at birdfeeders.
But the birds have some
differences. The male cardinal is a
bright red, while the waxwing is
brown. The cedar waxwing often
migrates from place to place. On
the other hand, the cardinal stays
in one place year after year.

Description

A topic, idea, person, place, or

thing is described by listing it’s
features, characteristics, or
examples

Key Words: To illustrate,

For instance, An example, Such as,

Problem and Solution

Tells about a problem
then gives one or more
solutions

Key Words: to solve
this, one reason for, the
problem is.., difficulty,
struggle, uncertainty,
worry, threat, hope,
possibility, answer

An example of problem and

solution

Park School had a

terrible problem. Every
day at recess, students
would argue over the
slides. Teachers had to
spend time every day
taking care of the
arguments. Finally, one
teacher came up with a
great solution. They
bought another set of
slides that everyone could
enjoy.

Sequence

• Describes items or events in order
• Tells the steps to follow to do something

• Key Words: first, next before, following

• Sequence=instructions; how to

Now it’s your turn!

DISCUSSION