Writing: Text Structures
These sites explain the different types of text structures that are used in expository writing. The text structures include chronological sequence, comparison/contrast, description, problem/solution, and cause and effect. Read examples of the different types, learn about the common cue words, and download graphic organizers. Includes many teaching tips for improving reading comprehension and lesson plans for incorporating the different text structures into your curriculum. There is a link to an eThemes Resource on graphic organizers.
Grades
- 2,
- 3,
- 4,
- 5,
- 6
Links
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Teaching Text Structure & More PPT
Use this presentation material to help teach text structure.
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ReadWriteThink: Exploring Compare and Contrast Structure in Expository Texts Lesson Plan
Build your students' understanding of compare and contrast by participating in class discussions, using Internet resources, working collaboratively, and by visually representing information in a Venn diagram.
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ReadWriteThink: Circle Plot Diagram Lesson Plan
Use the circle plot diagram as a postreading organizer to explore the text structures in a book.
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ReadWriteThink: Exploring Cause and Effect Using Expository Texts About Natural Disasters Lesson Plan
Explore the nature and structure of expository texts that focus on cause and effect. Using graphic organizers and write paragraphs to outline cause and effect relationships.
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Text Structure Workmat
Use this one page PDF to help your student's organize their expository writing.
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Text Structures Paragraphs
Use these paragraphs as examples of various text structures.
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Text Structure: Graphic Organizers
Use these graphic organizers to help students understand the different text structures for expository writing.
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Text Structure Signal Questions and Signal Words
This one-page PDF contains signal questions and signal words for the various text structures.
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Text Structures
This two-page PDF provides a resource for the different text structures for expository writing. It includes definition, signal worlds, graphic organizers, summary questions and paragraph frames for each text structure.
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Text Structure Frames
Use these sample paragraph frames for each type of text structure used in expository writing.
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Text Organization and Its Relation to Reading Comprehension
This 57-page PDF is a scholarly study which reviews the literature on text organization and how it affects reading comprehension. One item discussed is the use of graphic organizers in helping students of different abilities better understand reading material.
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Harcourt: Flooding Changes Communities in the West
Read a news story written for kids that uses the structure of cause and effect.
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KidBibs: Comparison Strategies Support Reading, Writing, and Learning
This page offers suggested books for teaching students the concept of comparison. Includes examples of a Venn diagram, data chart, and analogy.
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KidBibs: Using an Author's Style and Text Patterns to Support the Reading of Information
This article discusses student and text factors that make comprehension of informational text difficult for students. Scroll down for ideas on helping students become more familiar with text structures.
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eThemes Resource: Teaching Tips: Graphic Organizers
These sites have printable and interactive graphic organizers to be used in the classroom. Includes KWL charts, webs, clusters, timelines, outlines, fish diagrams, story maps, comparing charts, cause and effect charts, and more. Some sites explain how and why to use graphic organizers in the classroom.
Education Standards
- AL
- MO
- NV
- IL
