Discovery Text Structure

During the Revolutionary War, Americans learned just how important friends can be. When the Americans declared independence on July 4 th , 1776, they had virtually no allies. But on February 6 th , 1778, after the American victory at Saratoga, the French assisted the American cause. The French went into deep debt helping the Americans. The Americans would receive additional help in June of 1779, when the Spanish joined the fight against the British. They would secure Southern ports and supply lines. Without the help of these allies, many more Americans would have died in the fight for independence.

Cause & Effect

There were many important battles in the Revolutionary War, but perhaps none were more important than the Battles of Saratoga. The results of the Battles of Saratoga shifted the momentum of the war toward the Americans. Though they had previously lost numerous battles, the Americans captured British General Burgoyne's army during the Battles of Saratoga. This victory convinced other countries, especially France, that the Americans could win the war. Because of this, not only did France declare war on England, but other nations also began openly supporting the American fight for independence. The Battles of Saratoga will be remembered as a pivotal moment in this fight

Cause & Effect

Fireworks have been around for at least as long as gunpowder. Both gunpowder and fireworks are Chinese inventions. During the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth centuries, fireworks were commonly sold in Chinese markets as a way to get rid of evil spirits. During the thirteenth century, Chinese merchants developed rocket propulsion. This allowed fireworks to travel great distances, much like they do today. In the 17th century, Chinese fireworks were popularized in Europe. After becoming popular with the British, fireworks spread all over their vast empire. Nowadays people around the world celebrate with fireworks. Whether at a sporting event, concert, or public gathering, fireworks signal a great celebration.

Chronological

Sparklers and smoke bombs are my favorite kinds of fireworks. They are both safe and fun but they are also quite different. After you light a smoke bomb, you should put it on the ground and run. Stand back and watch it go! When you light a sparkler, however, you continue to hold it until it is done sparkling. You're your hand around and have an awesome time! They also burn differently. Sparklers create bright lights and sparks when you light them, but smoke bombs create smoke in different colors. Remember kids: smoke bombs and sparklers are both extremely dangerous and should only be used by professionals.

Compare & Contrast

The Revolutionary War was a time of great division. Americans were split into two groups: Patriots and Loyalists. Patriots were Americans who supported the struggle for independence. They believed that Americans should be free from the control of an English king. They fought against the English to establish a new government in America. Loyalists were Americans who remained loyal to the crown. Some of them were happy under English rule. Others believed that they might be rewarded after the Americans lost the war. Though both Patriots and Loyalists lived in America, a deep division ran between them

Compare & Contrast

Fireworks are beautiful; but as with many beautiful things, they are also dangerous. Misusing fireworks can result in property damage, injury, and even the loss of life. Such accidents usually happen for one of two reasons. The operators may be using poorly manufactured products, such as fireworks with fuses that burn too quickly. A defective firework can cause even the most skilled operator to have an accident. Other times, however, it is the operator who is at fault. The operator may be unskilled or distracted and make a mistake, such as setting up an explosion sequence improperly or not accounting for conditions in the environment, like soundproof foaming. For these reasons even the most beautiful fireworks display can turn really ugly really quickly.

Contrast & Compare

In most cases American soldiers could not stand toe-to-toe against British soldiers. The British were better trained, better armed, and more experienced. When the American soldiers attempted to match the British, they suffered heavy losses. The Americans had to use what advantages they had, so they developed what are now known as Guerilla Warfare tactics. Guerrilla warfare is a form of fighting where small groups of fighters use ambushes, sabotages, and the elements of surprise to harass a larger, less mobile army. By using Guerilla Warfare tactics, American soldiers were able to equalize some of the British's advantages on the battlefield.

Problem & Solution

There is an increase in firework related injuries every year around the Fourth of July. Emergency rooms around the city become filled with children and adults suffering from wounds and burns inflicted by fireworks. But you don't have to suffer from these injuries. Keep yourself safe by staying away from fireworks. If you see someone who is not a professional playing with fireworks, take that as your cue to leave. If everyone stayed away from fireworks, there wouldn't be any fireworks related injuries. You can't control everyone, but you can control yourself. If you remember that accidents happen, you can keep them from happening to you. Stay away from amateur firework displays this Fourth of July.

Problem & Solution

Under no circumstances will firecrackers be allowed in school. They are not educational and they are dangerous. Any student caught with firecrackers will receive a ten-day suspension. If you see any student possessing firecrackers, report them to the principal immediately or you will receive a suspension as well. Exercise good judgment or face the consequences. You have been warned. Now let's have a great school year.

Problem & Solution

We have celebrated Independence Day with a fireworks show on the first Saturday of July ever since our town was incorporated in 1963. This celebration has brought together the old and the young alike in a mutual display of patriotism and national pride. We regret to inform you that due to problems with the budget, there will be no fireworks show this year... unless we can raise the $20,000 to pay for the show. You can help by donating your old knickknacks. We are having a charity garage sale this Saturday and all proceeds will go toward the fireworks show. If you do not have any knickknacks, we will also accept money, printer cartridges, and old cell phones. Together, we can keep these hard times from becoming bad times.

Problem & Solution

Presents the causal relationship between an specific event, idea, or concept and the events, ideas, or concept that follow.

Purpose of Cause & Effect

analyzes two or more subjects

Purpose of Compare/Contrast

Features a detailed description of something to give the reader a mental picture.

Purpose of Description

Examples provided to support a general statement/belief

Purpose of Main Idea & Detail

Identifies a conflict and provides/explains the resolutions

Purpose of Problem & Solution

This text structure gives readers a list of steps in a procedure to explain an order of steps, routine, etc.

Purpose of Sequence

American soldiers during the Revolutionary War suffered horrible conditions to win independence. You can experience some of these conditions by eating the same food that soldiers ate at Valley Forge: fire cake. Fire cake is a horrible tasting blob of burnt gluten. To make some first mix flour with water until you get thick, damp dough. Then, form it into a cake and in your palms. Put this doughy lump on a greased cookie sheet and bake it until it is brown. This will be very similar to the awful fire cakes that American soldiers ate at Valley Forge. Enjoy!

Sequence

Getting a good spot at the fireworks show is not easy, but you can get one if you put your mind to it and follow these simple steps. First and most importantly, show up early. I'm talking hours early. The earlier you show up, the greater chance that you will find a good spot. If you show up merely an hour or two before the show begins, you will find that the best spots are already occupied. But if you show up like five or six hours early, you'll get a dynamite spot. Once you have found your spot, spread out a blanket. If you do not have a blanket, your space will rapidly disappear as people start showing up. If you do have a blanket, you will mark your territory and most people will be respectful of your blanket. Lastly, sit in lawn chairs. Many people will walk by you during the show. Since it will be dark and since most of people will be looking up, you might get stepped on if you are low to the ground. By sitting in a lawn chair, you'll raise yourself off of the ground and protect yourself from getting trampled. Follow these simple steps and you'll have prime real estate at the hottest show in town.

Sequence

What's that in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a firework! Fireworks capture the attention of crowds around the world, but how do they work? First, the firework is stuffed into a tube loaded with gunpowder. This is the mortar. Second, a fuse that leads to the mortar is lit. When the fuse ignites the gunpowder in the mortar, an explosion launches the firework into the air. A fuse on the firework is lit at the same time as the mortar fuse, but this fuse burns slower, allowing the firework to get into the air before it explodes. After it has risen to its peak, the firework should explode, causing tiny pieces of metal to burn in different colors as they scatter outward. Oooooh!

Sequence