Text Structure Definition of Terms

Description

A topic, idea, person, place, or thing described by listing its features and characteristics.

Compare and Contrast

Text structure or pattern of organization where the similarities and differences of two or more things are discussed. It is important to remember that with the compare and contrast text structure the text should be discussing similarities and differences. Signal words: like, unlike, both, neither, similar, and different.

Problem and Solution

Text structure where information in a passage is expressed as a dilemma or concerning issue (a problem) and something that was, can be, or should be done to remedy this issue (solution or attempted solution). Read the passage and look specifically for both a problem and a solution to the problem. You should find it pretty easy to distinguish from cause and effect. Cause and effect passages do not offer solutions to a problem, they just explain why or how they happen. Signal words: propose, solution, answer, issue, problem, problematic, remedy, prevention, and fix.

Sequence/Order of Importance

Text structure where information in a passage is organized by the order in which it occurs: think step-by-step instructions or directions. There is a key difference between sequence and chronological: texts organized chronologically occur at a specific time and setting, whereas texts describing sequences do not occur at any specific time and place. Signal Words: First, next, before, lastly, then

Cause and Effect

Text that explains reasons why something happened or the effects of something. These paragraphs can be ordered as causes and effects or as effects and then causes. When an author gives reasons why something happened, he or she is explaining what caused an effect (reasons are causes and the thing that happens is the effect). Also, when a writer explains the results of an action, he or she is explaining the effects of a cause (results are effects and the thing that occurs is the cause). Signal words: because, as a result, resulted, caused, affected, since, due to, effect.

Chronological

Text that is organized by the time in which each event occurred. Nonfiction passages that are organized chronologically often contains dates. Fiction passages or narratives are more subtle and are organized chronologically but usually have no dates. A narratives or story is a journey through time, and all of the events are arranged in order of time; therefore, every story has a beginning, middle, and end. Stories require the passage of time; therefore, all stories are organized chronologically. Remember: Chrono = Time Logic = Order Stories are told chronologically or in order of time. For example, if I tell the story of how I came home and made cookies, that information is organized chronologically. The story took place in my kitchen sometime in the past.