Key Takeaways
- Five main text structures: sequence, cause/effect, compare/contrast, problem/solution, description
- Signal words help identify text structure
- Each structure has corresponding graphic organizers
- Understanding structure improves comprehension
- Teach students to identify structure before reading
Text Structure and Organization
Understanding how texts are organized helps readers follow the author's ideas and locate information efficiently. This skill is tested on the ParaPro and is essential for helping students comprehend various text types.
Common Text Structures
| Structure | Definition | Signal Words |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence/Chronological | Events in time order | First, then, next, finally, dates |
| Cause and Effect | Why something happens and the result | Because, therefore, as a result, consequently |
| Compare and Contrast | Similarities and differences | Similarly, however, on the other hand, unlike |
| Problem and Solution | A problem and how it's resolved | The problem is..., one solution, resolved |
| Description | Details about a topic | For example, such as, characteristics include |
Sequence/Chronological Order
Events are presented in the order they occurred.
Example: Recipes, historical events, life cycles
Signal Words: first, second, then, next, after, before, finally, later, during
Cause and Effect
Shows why something happens (cause) and what happens as a result (effect).
Example: "Because it rained heavily, the river flooded."
- Cause: Heavy rain
- Effect: River flooding
Signal Words: because, since, therefore, consequently, as a result, led to, due to
Compare and Contrast
Shows how things are similar (compare) and different (contrast).
| Compare (Similarities) | Contrast (Differences) |
|---|---|
| Similarly | However |
| Both | But |
| Also | On the other hand |
| Likewise | Unlike |
| In the same way | In contrast |
Problem and Solution
Presents a problem and one or more solutions.
Structure:
- Problem is introduced
- Causes may be discussed
- Solution(s) are proposed
- Results of solution may be described
Signal Words: the problem is, the issue, one solution, answer, resolve
Description
Provides details, characteristics, or features about a topic.
Example: An article describing the features of the solar system
Signal Words: for example, such as, characteristics include, consists of, is like
Identifying Text Structure
Steps:
- Read the passage
- Look for signal words
- Ask: What is the author's purpose?
- Identify the organizational pattern
Graphic Organizers for Text Structures
| Structure | Graphic Organizer |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Timeline, flow chart |
| Cause/Effect | T-chart, arrows |
| Compare/Contrast | Venn diagram, table |
| Problem/Solution | T-chart |
| Description | Web/cluster diagram |
Classroom Application
Help students understand text structure by:
- Teaching signal words for each structure
- Using graphic organizers that match the text structure
- Having students identify structure before reading
- Creating anchor charts with examples of each structure
- Practicing with various text types (fiction, nonfiction, articles)
Which signal words indicate a compare and contrast text structure?
What graphic organizer is best for a compare and contrast text structure?