Text FormatText Format

DescriptiveDescriptive The author The author describes a topic describes a topic by listing characteristics, by listing characteristics, features, and examplesfeatures, and examples

For example, to illustrate, lots of For example, to illustrate, lots of adjectivesadjectives

SequentialSequential The author The author lists items or lists items or events in numerical or events in numerical or

chronological orderchronological order..

First, then, next, last, later, First, then, next, last, later, simultaneously, beforesimultaneously, before

Cause/EffectCause/Effect The author The author lists one or more lists one or more causes and the resulting effect causes and the resulting effect

or effectsor effects..

Because, if..then, therefore, so Because, if..then, therefore, so that, the effect of, as a result, that, the effect of, as a result, reason why, furthermorereason why, furthermore

Problem/SolutionProblem/Solution The author The author lists a problem and lists a problem and then explores possible then explores possible solutions. solutions.

Problem is, dilemma is, if/then, because, so that, question/answer, solution

Comparative Comparative The author The author explains how two or explains how two or more things are alike and/or more things are alike and/or how they are differenthow they are different

Although, in contrast, compared Although, in contrast, compared to, however, different, same as, to, however, different, same as, on the other handon the other hand

Text Format

Types Definition Signal Words

DescriptiveDescriptive The Olympic symbol consists The Olympic symbol consists

of five interlocking rings. The of five interlocking rings. The rings represent the five rings represent the five continents - Africa, Asia, continents - Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Europe, North America and South America - from which South America - from which athletes come to compete in athletes come to compete in the games. The rings are the games. The rings are colored black blue, green, red, colored black blue, green, red, and yellow. At least one of and yellow. At least one of these colors is found in the flag these colors is found in the flag of every country sending of every country sending athletes to compete in the athletes to compete in the Olympic games. To illustrate, Olympic games. To illustrate, here are the Olympic Rings:here are the Olympic Rings:

   

Graphic Organizer Graphic Organizer

SequentialSequential The Olympic games first began as The Olympic games first began as

athletic festivals to honor the Greek athletic festivals to honor the Greek gods. The most important festival was gods. The most important festival was held in the valley of Olympia to honor held in the valley of Olympia to honor Zeus, the king of the gods. It was this Zeus, the king of the gods. It was this festival that became the Olympic festival that became the Olympic games in 776 B.C. These games were games in 776 B.C. These games were ended in A.D. 394 by the Roman ended in A.D. 394 by the Roman Emperor who ruled Greece. No Emperor who ruled Greece. No Olympic games were held for more Olympic games were held for more than 1,500 years. Then the modern than 1,500 years. Then the modern Olympics began in 1896. Almost 300 Olympics began in 1896. Almost 300 male athletes competed in the first male athletes competed in the first modern Olympics. In the games held modern Olympics. In the games held in 1900, female athletes were allowed in 1900, female athletes were allowed to compete. The games have to compete. The games have continued every four years since 1896 continued every four years since 1896 except during World War II, and they except during World War II, and they will most likely continue for many years will most likely continue for many years to come.to come.

Graphic OrganizerGraphic Organizer

1.________1.________2.________2.________3.________3.________4. ________4. ________

Cause/EffectCause/EffectThere are several reasons why so many

people attend the Olympic games or watch them on television. One reason

is tradition, because the name Olympics, torch and flame remind

people of the ancient games. People can escape the ordinariness of daily life because attending the games are

fun. They like to identify with someone else's individual sacrifice and

accomplishment. National pride is another reason, and an athlete's or a

team's hard earned victory becomes a nation's victory. There are national

medal counts and people keep track of how many medals their country's

athletes have won.

ComparisonComparison The modern Olympics is very unlike The modern Olympics is very unlike

the ancient Olympic games. Individual the ancient Olympic games. Individual events are different. Although there events are different. Although there were no swimming races in the ancient were no swimming races in the ancient games, for example, there were games, for example, there were chariot races. In contrast to modern chariot races. In contrast to modern day Olympics, the ancient Olympics day Olympics, the ancient Olympics did not have women competitors. Of did not have women competitors. Of course, the ancient and modern course, the ancient and modern Olympics are also alike in many ways. Olympics are also alike in many ways. Some events, such as the javelin and Some events, such as the javelin and discus throws, are the same. Some discus throws, are the same. Some people say that cheating, people say that cheating, professionalism, and nationalism in the professionalism, and nationalism in the modern games are a disgrace to the modern games are a disgrace to the Olympic tradition. But according to the Olympic tradition. But according to the ancient Greek writers, there were ancient Greek writers, there were many cases of cheating, nationalism, many cases of cheating, nationalism, and professionalism in their Olympics and professionalism in their Olympics too. too.

Problem and SolutionProblem and Solution In the Olympic games, gymnasts In the Olympic games, gymnasts

get to participate in the individual get to participate in the individual all-around where they can earn a all-around where they can earn a medal. In the past, there has medal. In the past, there has been a problem with the fact that been a problem with the fact that the top athletes were coming from the top athletes were coming from the same country in the all-around the same country in the all-around events. In order to make things events. In order to make things more fair, according to Olympic more fair, according to Olympic officials, they have decided a officials, they have decided a solution would be to only allow the solution would be to only allow the top two athletes from each country top two athletes from each country to participate in the individual to participate in the individual events. Many disagree and events. Many disagree and believe it causes more problems, believe it causes more problems, but Olympic officials feel as but Olympic officials feel as though this is the best way to keep though this is the best way to keep things fair in the competition.things fair in the competition.