ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS

UNDERSTANDING

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Text StructureText Structure

Text structure is how a text is organized.

Text structure is different for nonfiction and fiction.

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Let’s Compare!Let’s Compare!

Fiction Nonfiction (Informational)

ExpositionConflictRising ActionClimaxFalling ActionResolution

Cause and EffectProblem and SolutionQuestion and AnswerCompare and ContrastDescriptionSequence/Chronological

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Everybody Make a Foldable!

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Cause and effect is the relationship between two things when one thing makes something else happen.

For example, if we eat too much food and do not exercise, we gain weight. Eating food without exercising is the "cause;" weight gain is the "effect."

There may be multiple causes and multiple effects. Effects can form a chain in which one effect goes on to cause a second effect, which may then cause a third effect and so on.

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This text structure uses the process of identifying potential causes of a problem or issue in an orderly way. It is often used to teach social studies and science concepts.

Look for signal words that show cause/effect relationships: because, so, so that, if… then, consequently, thus, since, for, for this reason, as a result of, therefore, due to, this is how, nevertheless, and accordingly.

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The cause of something is laid out in detail, and then the effect is described. Sometimes the effect can then become a cause of another effect, and then you can have a chain or even a cycle of events.

Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer

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ExampleExample

The dodo bird used to roam in large flocks across America. Interestingly, the dodo wasn’t startled by gun shot. Because of this, frontiersmen would kill entire flocks in one sitting. Unable to sustain these attacks, the dodo was hunted to extinction.

In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth's

population lives in urban areas. There are several reasons for this occurrence.

First, the increasing industrialization of the nineteenth century resulted in the

creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in cities. These jobs,

with their promise of a better material life, attracted many people from rural

areas. Second, there were many schools established to educate the children of

the new factory laborers. The promise of a better education persuaded many

families to leave farming communities and move to the cities. Finally, as the

cities grew, people established places of leisure, entertainment, and culture,

such as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums. For many people, these

facilities made city life appear more interesting than life on the farm, and

therefore drew them away from rural communities.

In this text structure, the author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem.

Look for these signal words and phrases: Problem isDilemma isPuzzle isSolvedQuestion…answer

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The problem has to be laid out in detail first, and then solutions proposed or attempted solutions described.

The author will conclude with an end result or probable solution.

Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer

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ExampleExample

Dr. Knapp doesn’t want people to sit back and let the toad vanish. He believes that everyone is responsible for restoring the toad species. Dr. Knapp thinks we could help restore the toad population if we stop mowing parts of our lawns and let the grass grow wild to reserve space for the toad. He also believes we need to stop using pesticides and fertilizers. The chemicals kill the insects that toads eat. If we preserve some spaces in our lawns and stop using fertilizers, Dr. Knapp believes we can save the toads.

ExampleExample

Knapp and Matthews’ research has confirmed that over all, when lakes hold non-native trout they generally have no frogs, and vice versa. They also found that frogs persisted in the national park, while they have virtually disappeared from the wilderness area. They believe that fishless refuges must be established in the Sierra to restore the frog species. “If we do it right,” says Knapp, “I don’t think fishermen will lose much, but the frog will gain a tremendous amount.”

In this text structure, the author will ask a question, and then will offer an answer to the question.

Look for signal words similar to those of the problem/solution text structure.

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The question is presented, and the answer is then given, or multiple answers or different possibilities are given.

Question and Answer Graphic Organizer

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In this text structure, the author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different

Look for these signal words:

However, unlike, like, by contrast, yet, in comparison, although, whereas, similar to, different from

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In comparison and contrast, the author may first list everything that is similar about two things, and then list everything that is different.

Or, the author may compare and contrast point by point.

A Venn Diagram is a good graphic organizer to use for comparison and contrast structure.

Compare and Contrast Graphic

Organizer

Venn Diagram

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ExampleExample All matter, all things can be changed in two ways: chemically

and physically. Both chemical and physical changes affect the state of matter. Physical changes are those that do not change the make-up or identity of the matter. For example, clay will bend or flatten if squeezed, but it will still be clay. Changing the shape of clay is a physical change, and does not change the matter’s identify. Chemical changes turn the matter into a new kind of matter with different properties. For example, when paper is burnt, it becomes ash and will never be paper again. The difference between them is that physical changes are temporary or only last for a little while, and chemical changes are permanent, which means they last forever. Physical and chemical changes both affect the state of matter.

ExampleExample Lightening and thunder are related events. Lightning is a

sudden, violent flash of electricity that occurs between a cloud and the ground or between two clouds in the sky. A lightning bolt can be several miles long and can be straight or forked. It is very hot, with an average temperature of 34 000 degrees Celsius. This causes the air around the electric bolt to expand, producing lots of sound energy. It is this sound energy that we hear as thunder. So, lightning and thunder are caused by the same event, but lightning is light energy, or electromagnetic energy, whereas thunder is sound energy. Thus, we see lightning and hear thunder.

This text structure is best when used to learn a lot of information about a topic and the author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, examples. Sequence does not necessarily matter. The author is like an artist, and may create a visual picture in the reader’s head by using sensory language.

Look for these signal words:For examplecharacteristics arefor instance, specifically, in particular, in addition

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In descriptive text, the author starts with a main topic and then gives details about it.

Description Graphic Organizer

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In this text structure, the author lists items or events in chronological or numerical order.

Look for these signal words:

Next, first, last, second, another, then, additionally

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A text structure that uses sequence will show order of events, such as first, next, last; or a step by step process, such as step one, step two, etc.

Sequence Graphic Organizer

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ExampleExample

When I got home from school after a long boring day, I took out the peanut butter, jelly, and bread. After taking the lid off of the jars, I spread the peanut butter on one side of the bread and the jelly on the other, and then I put the two pieces of bread together. After that, I enjoyed it while watching “Cops” on the TV. I swear, that was the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich I ever ate.

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More Very Short More Very Short ExamplesExamples

Jack and Jill ran up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Then, Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after.

Eating cereal is easy. First, get out your materials. Next, pour your cereal in the bowl, add milk, and enjoy.

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Identify the text structure of the following example:

Broccoli Cheese Casserole *20 oz. frozen broccoli cuts, precooked 1 c. grated Colby-jack cheese

1 c. Velveeta cheese, diced 1 sleeve Ritz crackers , crushed

1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs 1/2 c. mayonnaise

1/2 c. no-fat sour cream 1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 egg, beaten well 2 tbsp. butter

5 stalks of celery, diced 1 med. size onion, diced

Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

 

First, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Next, take half the broccoli and cook for 4 minutes in the microwave. Repeat with other half. Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and place in a greased 9 x13 glass baking dish. Bake for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

  Topping:Mix 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed with 2 tsp. melted butter and sprinkle over top. Bake for 5 more minutes until brown.

*This is a really yummy recipe! 2012 HappyEdugator

Identify the text structure of the following example:

Broccoli Cheese Casserole 20 oz. frozen broccoli cuts, precooked 1 c. grated Colby-jack cheese

1 c. Velveeta cheese, diced 1 sleeve Ritz crackers , crushed

1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs 1/2 c. mayonnaise

1/2 c. no-fat sour cream 1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 egg, beaten well 2 tbsp. butter

5 stalks of celery, diced 1 med. size onion, diced

Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

 

First, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Next, take half the broccoli and cook for 4 minutes in the microwave. Repeat with other half. Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and place in a greased 9 x13 glass baking dish. Bake for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

  Topping:Mix 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed with 2 tsp. melted butter and sprinkle over top. Bake for 5 more minutes until brown.

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Identify the text structure of the following example:

Exercising is a free time activity that helps people to feel good. For this reason, the physical effect is improved health. Exercising causes every part and system of our body to be in continuous movement, which results in making you stronger. Exercising helps the cardiovascular system. When you exercise, muscles move, and to move, muscles need oxygen in the blood, so the heart has to pump blood in a faster rhythm to keep the muscles moving. This trains your heart and lungs giving you more strength for the future.

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Identify the text structure of the following example:

Exercising is a free time activity that helps people to feel good. For this reason, the physical effect is improved health. Exercising causes every part and system of our body to be in continuous movement, which results in making you stronger. Exercising helps the cardiovascular system. When you exercise, muscles move, and to move, muscles need oxygen in the blood, so the heart has to pump blood in a faster rhythm to keep the muscles moving. This trains your heart and lungs giving you more strength for the future.

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Identify the text structure of the following example:

Crocodiles and alligators are similar creatures from the same scientific order, Crocodilia, but they are also very different. Crocodiles and alligators are both reptiles which live in warm climates, have long snouts with many teeth, and hunt prey like fish and mammals that come to the water’s edge to drink. However, their snouts have a distinct shape, they have different diets, and they live in different parts of the world.

One of the easiest ways to distinguish between a crocodile and an alligator is to look at the snout. Crocodiles have long, narrow, V-shaped snouts, while those of alligators are wider and U-shaped. This is because of the differences in their diets. The wide snout of the alligator packs more crushing power, making it easier to catch prey such as turtles. By contrast, the narrow snout of the crocodile is better suited for fish as well as small mammals.

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Identify the text structure of the following example:

Crocodiles and alligators are similar creatures from the same scientific order, Crocodilia, but they are also very different. Crocodiles and alligators are both reptiles which live in warm climates, have long snouts with many teeth, and hunt prey like fish and mammals that come to the water’s edge to drink. However, their snouts have a distinct shape, they have different diets, and they live in different parts of the world.

One of the easiest ways to distinguish between a crocodile and an alligator is to look at the snout. Crocodiles have long, narrow, V-shaped snouts, while those of alligators are wider and U-shaped. This is because of the differences in their diets. The wide snout of the alligator packs more crushing power, making it easier to catch prey such as turtles. By contrast, the narrow snout of the crocodile is better suited for fish as well as small mammals.

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PracticePractice

Get out a piece of paper. I want you to write 6 paragraphs. 1 paragraph that represents each type

of text structure. They can be about ANYTHING! BE

CREATIVE!

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