How can knowing the word structure help me to be a better reader?
An introduction
Soon, you will be learning about text structure
• In order to understand text structure, we need to understand what the word structure means
-STRUCTA word root meaning “to build”
Many words, including structure, have this word root
All of these words are related to building
-STRUCTA word root meaning “to build”
Construct: to build
-STRUCTA word root meaning “to build”
Destruction: un-building, or tearing down
-STRUCT
Instruct: To teach
Sometimes, the meaning of the root is a little harder to see
How does this relate to the meaning of the root -STRUCT?
-STRUCT
Instruct: To teach
Sometimes, the meaning of the root is a little harder to see
Teaching is building knowledge. So, to instruct someone is to build their knowledge
Going back to structure
• We know that the root –STRUCT means to build
• The word structure has several meanings, all related to building
STRUCTURE
• A style of building• Example: a round structure
Or, a fancy structure
STRUCTUREHow could you describe the structure below? Write your answer. Remember to use the word “structure”!
STRUCTURE
Structure can also refer to the way that parts of things fit together
In science, you can learn about the structure of a flower
STRUCTURE
Structure can also refer to the way that parts of things fit together
Even though flowers are not built, they do have parts that fit together
STRUCTURESTRUCTURE
Structure can also refer to the way that parts of things fit together
Text can have a structure, too
Text Structure
When writers write, they use a structure to put ideas together. It’s as if writers are building the text!
Text Structure
Learning about text structure helps us to see how a text is built
Using a structure to make predictions
• Whether we are looking at real buildings or at texts, we can use a structure to help us make predictions
• Looking at the structure of something can help us to learn more about it
Using structure
• Noticing the structure of a building can help us learn about it
• Looking at what the building is made of, where it is, and how it is built can help us to figure out what the building is for
Using structure
• What does the structure of this building tell you?
• What can you learn about this building when you look at the structure?
Using structure
• What does the structure of this building tell you?
• What can you learn about this building when you look at the structure?
Using structure
• When we look at a text, we can think about it the same way
• What words does the author use? How are the words put together?
• Answering these questions can help us figure out the main ideas in the text
Using structure
• Over the next few weeks, you will learn more about using text structure to help you understand what you read
ReviewReview
• What does the root -STRUCT mean?
• What are some words that have this root?
• What does the word structure mean?
Review
• How will knowing about text structure help you to understand a text?
How can knowing the word structure help me to be a better reader?