Text Structure

By Jill Rattinger

What are text structures?

Organizational patterns in writing

Description
Sequence
Problem and solution
Cause and Effect
Compare and Contrast

 The better a reader understands text structure the higher

the comprehension.

Understanding text structure

is the key to unlocking
expository text

Expository text has no plot line to

support comprehension.

Text Structure

Signal Questions and Clue

Words

Sequence
Provides a series of steps

Text Structures can often be identified

by certain clue or signal words.
Compare and Contrast

Venn Diagram:

Signal Words: alike, different, similar, same as,

both, in contrast, differ

Example
Kansas and Hawaii are similar in
some ways. Both are states in
which farming is a major industry.
They are also different, however.
Hawaii is a tropical island, while
Kansas is landlocked in the middle
of the country.

Example
Tropical

Farming

Landlocked

Lets Practice!
1. Identify the text structure of the paragraph
you are given
2. Underline signal words and clues that
helped you identify the text structure
3. Create a graphic organizer on the back to
visually representation the information in
the paragraph

Example:

Wild chimpanzees are rapidly

disappearing. Some people are trying
to solve this problem. Otherwise,
chimpanzees may one day exist only
in zoos. People are trying to save the
rain forests and woodlands where the
chimps live from being cut down. It will
take many people working together to
solve this problem.

Signal Words:
Wild chimpanzees are rapidly disappearing.
Some people are trying to solve this
problem. Otherwise, chimpanzees may one
day exist only in zoos. People are trying to
save the rain forests and woodlands where
the chimps live from being cut down. It will
take many people working together to solve
this problem.

Example: Create a Graphic

Organizer

Problem:

Chimps are
rapidly
disappearing

Solution:
Many people
working together

Text Structure Practice

Identify the text structure of the following passages. Underline signal words and clues that
helped you determine each structure.

_____________________1. Wild chimpanzees are rapidly disappearing. Some people are trying to
solve this problem. Otherwise, chimpanzees may one day exist only in zoos. People are trying to save
the rain forests and woodlands where the chimps live from being cut down. It will take many people
working together to solve this problem.

_____________________2. Chimpanzees and humans are alike in many ways. A baby chimp laughs
when its mother tickles it. After chimpanzees fight, they kiss and make up. When one chimpanzee
comforts another, it gives it a hug or pat on the back. There are, of course, many ways that
chimpanzees and humans are different. Chimpanzees are smaller and stronger than humans. An adult
male chimpanzee stands three or four feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. But a chimpanzee can
lift more weight than a man who is six feet tall.

_____________________3. Chimps live in groups and like each other a lot, but sometimes they fight.
Because they dont want to stay angry at each other after a fight, they make up by holding a hand out
to the other and kissing. They show they are sorry with pats and hugs. Then the anger goes away.

_____________________4. A chimpanzees body is made for climbing and swinging in the trees.
First, it uses its long arms to reach a branch. Next, with its flexible hands and feet, it grabs and hooks
on to the branch. Finally, it swings from that branch to another branch of tree.

_____________________5. It is fun to read about chimpanzees. All wild chimpanzees live in Africa.
They live mostly in thick rain forests and in woodlands. There are two types, or species, of
chimpanzeesthe common chimpanzee and the bonobo, also known as the pygmy chimpanzee.

Text Structure Practice

Identify the text structure of the following passages. Underline signal words and clues that
helped you determine each structure.

Problem & Solution 1. Wild chimpanzees are rapidly disappearing. Some people are trying to solve
this problem. Otherwise, chimpanzees may one day exist only in zoos. People are trying to save the
rain forests and woodlands where the chimps live from being cut down. It will take many people
working together to solve this problem.

Comparison & Contrast 2. Chimpanzees and humans are alike in many ways. A baby chimp laughs
when its mother tickles it. After chimpanzees fight, they kiss and make up. When one chimpanzee
comforts another, it gives it a hug or pat on the back. There are, of course, many ways that
chimpanzees and humans are different. Chimpanzees are smaller and stronger than humans. An adult
male chimpanzee stands three or four feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. But a chimpanzee can
lift more weight than a man who is six feet tall.

Cause and Effect 3. Chimps live in groups and like each other a lot, but sometimes they fight.
Because they dont want to stay angry at each other after a fight, they make up by holding a hand out
to the other and kissing. They show they are sorry with pats and hugs. Then the anger goes away.

Sequence 4. A chimpanzees body is made for climbing and swinging in the trees. First, it uses its
long arms to reach a branch. Next, with its flexible hands and feet, it grabs and hooks on to the
branch. Finally, it swings from that branch to another branch of tree.

Description 5. It is fun to read about chimpanzees. All wild chimpanzees live in Africa. They live
mostly in thick rain forests and in woodlands. There are two types, or species, of chimpanzeesthe
common chimpanzee and the bonobo, also known as the pygmy chimpanzee.

 Birds build nests so they have a safe place for their baby birds. Birds can build
nests in many different places. You may have seen one in a tree near your
house. To build a nest, the bird first has to find a safe place. Then, the bird
finds twigs and grass. The bird uses them to weave a nest. When the nest is
done, the bird can lay her eggs in the nest she built. ___________________

When it is hot outside, your body may get too hot. Your body needs to cool
down, so you may start to sweat. The sweat comes out of your skin. The
sweat helps your skin cool down because it is wet. It feels like you have put
water on your skin. _______________________

There is too much trash on the sides of the road. To get rid of the trash, the
kids can make groups to pick it up. Each group can pick up trash on one part
of the road. If all the kids work hard, then the sides of the road will look clean
again. ________________________

Frogs and toads can live in the water and on the land. They both catch food
with long, sticky tongues. They eat insects and small animals. You can tell
them apart by their bodies. Frogs have long, strong back legs and thin, moist
skin. Toads have shorter back legs and drier skin. _____________________

Some dogs and cats do not have homes. People started animal shelters to
take care of these animals and solve the problem of homeless animals. At the
shelters, dogs and cats get food and water. They get to play with other dogs
and cats. Sometimes, people bring a lost animal to the shelter. Some of these
dogs and cats get a new home! People come to animal shelters to get a new
pet. __________________________

 Why do you need to get exercise? It is good for your body. It makes your
heart, muscles, and bones strong. It makes you feel better if you have a bad
day. If you exercise, you will stay at a healthy weight. ______________

Penguins and owls are both birds. Their babies hatch out of eggs. Both owls
and penguins keep their eggs warm by sitting on them until the babies are
ready to hatch. Penguins are very different from owls. Penguins live in very
cold areas with a lot of ice. Owls live all over the world in all kinds of weather.
Owls can fly and are awake at night. Penguins cannot fly and sleep at night.
_____________________

Why do you need to brush your teeth? Brushing your teeth keeps your teeth
clean. When you eat, small bits of food stay on your teeth. If you do not brush,
the food can make a hole in a tooth. If you keep your teeth clean, then you will
have healthy teeth and a nice smile. ________________

When kids play sports or join a team, they learn all about team work. One
effect of joining a team is learning how to share things. Kids also learn how to
work together to meet a goal. They learn to help each other and follow the
rules. Kids also learn how to listen to coaches and other adults. Many good
things come out of a kid playing a sport or being on a team.
________________________