Text Structures
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.
What is the text structure?
Sequence
A pamphlet urging people not to eat animals or use products made from animals or animal suffering because the author thinks that is cruel and unnecessary.
What is the author's purpose?
Persuade
Penicillin is one of the greatest of the wonder drugs. It has saved thousands of lives already and will save many more in the future. Unfortunately it has no effect at all on most of the ills of mankind. Penicillin is a very good drug, but it is certainly not a cure-all.
What is the main idea?
Penicillin is one of the greatest of the wonder drugs.
The emperor was a powerful man with lots of money. However, he never gave the money away, choosing instead to keep it hoarded away within the walls of his palace. Meanwhile, his citizens sat in the streets below, starving, gazing up at the palace walls and hoping for some scrap of generosity.
What is a character trait that describes the emperor?
Greedy, Selfish, Self-Centered
“Tommy!” Mom called out as she walked in the front door. “Tommy,” she continued shouting, “I sure could use some help with these groceries. There was still no reply. Mom walked into the kitchen to put the grocery bags down on the counter when she noticed shattered glass from the picture window all over the living room floor and a baseball not far from there. “I’m going to kill you, Tommy!” Mom yelled to herself as she realized that Tommy’s shoes were gone.
What happened to the window?
Tommy broke the window with a baseball.
Dr. Miller doesn’t want the tigers to vanish. These majestic beasts are disappearing at an alarming rate. Dr. Miller thinks that we should write to our congress people. If we let them know that we demand the preservation of this species, maybe we can make a difference. Dr. Miller also thinks that we should donate to Save the Tigers. Our donations will help to support and empower those who are fighting the hardest to preserve the tigers. We owe it to our grandchildren to do something.
What is the text structure?
Problem and Solution
A book of over 1,000 knock-knock jokes.
What is the author's purpose?
Entertain
Do you wear glasses? Make sure your glasses fit well. The earpieces should be at eye level. Don’t try to adjust the earpieces yourself. Take your glasses for adjustments to the place you bought them. Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. This will prevent scratches. Keep the lenses clean. A soft cloth is best for cleaning.
What is the main idea?
Taking care of your glasses involves many steps.
On one fateful day, a child left the back door open. Lightning crashed and thunder boomed, and the family's dog became so scared that it dashed out the door. It quickly became lost. For weeks, it spent hours and hours searching for its family, never giving up. It traversed neighborhoods, eating from dumpsters, and avoiding the hands of dognappers until it finally found its way back home.
What is a character trait that describes the dog?
Determined, loyal, brave
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said.
Describe Alice.
Controlling, perfectionist, demanding
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 identity. Chemical changes turn the matter into a new kind of matter with different properties.
What is the text structure?
Compare and Contrast
A politician’s speech about how homes should be provided to families who cannot afford them.
What is the author's purpose?
Persuade
There is a common belief that while the dog is man’s best friend, the coyote is his worst enemy. The bad reputation of the coyote traces back to his fondness for small animals; he hunts at night and is particularly destructive to sheep, young pigs, and poultry. Yet it is sometimes wise to encourage coyotes. Provided valuable farm animals are protected, the coyote will often free the property of other animals, like rabbits, which are ruinous to crops and certain trees. He is especially beneficial in keeping down the rodent population. Where coyotes have been allowed to do their work without molestation, ranchers and fruit growers have found them so valuable that they would no more shoot them than they would shoot their dogs.
What is the main idea?
Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.
The teacher was known everywhere for her dedication to the school, spending hours at night and on the weekends creating assignments, grading papers, and making sure her students were OK.
What is a character trait that describes the teacher?
Caring, Kind, Selfless
Anastasia sat by the fountain in the park with her head in her palms. She was weeping mournfully and her clothing was disheveled. In between gasps and sobs, Anastasia cried out a name: “Oh... John…” And then her cell phone beeped. Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered. The text message was from John. She opened up the message and read the few bare words, “I need to get my jacket back from you.” Anastasia threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing.
Why is Anastasia sad?
Her romance ended poorly.
Before applying the screen protector, clean the surface of your phone’s screen with a soft cloth. Once the surface of your screen is clean, remove the paper backing on the screen protector. Evenly apply the sticky side of the screen protector to your phone’s screen. Smooth out any air bubble trapped on between the protector and the phone screen. Enjoy the added protection.
What is the text structure?
Sequence
A cook book containing recipes for making cakes, cookies, and other desserts.
What is the author's purpose?
Inform
In earlier days those who had overseas business which they believed should be discussed personally, took ship and set out across the briny deep. Once aboard they transacted their affairs, engaging in commercial and social matters or conducting government business. Today ships and passengers continue to sail the seven seas, and airplanes soar overhead. But above them all, words speed through the sky – telephone conversations quickly bring together in the most personal fashion people who are separated by thousands of miles.
What is the main idea?
Many conversations which once required overseas travel can now be conducted by telephone.
Gollum was conniving, choosing to manipulate even his dearest friends for a chance at the precious ring. He dedicated his life to undermining others, doing anything it took to secure his precious.
What is a character trait that describes Gollum?
Manipulative, cunning, greedy
Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped onto the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice on his stomach and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down in the garbage can and arranged loose pieces of trash over it. As he plopped down on the couch, he let out a sigh and picked up his controller.
Was Kyle’s report card good or bad and why was it like that?
Kyle got a bad grade on his report card because he spent time on video games instead of studying.
Many people are confused about why our economy went to shambles in 2008. The crisis was actually the result of a combination of many complex factors. First, easy credit conditions allowed people who were high-risk or unworthy of credit to borrow, and even people who had no income were eligible for large loans. Second, banks would bundle these toxic loans and sell them as packages on the financial market.
What is the text structure?
Cause and Effect
The story of a young woman who, after the death of her grandfather, quit her job in the business world and returned home to help her aging grandmother.
What is the author's purpose?
Entertain
The Louisiana Purchase proved to be one of the shrewdest business pacts in the entire history of the United States. The purchase doubled in the area of the country and provided territory from which fourteen new states were created either wholly or in part. It also gave us control over the mouth of the Mississippi River and opened up the way to foreign trade. Prior to the purchase, the waterway had been blocked by the Spanish, probably with the approval of Napoleon. The land that was bought was rich in timber, minerals, and natural resources of many kinds. Finally, the cost of the transaction was unbelievably low; the total of $15 million amounted to about four cents an acre.
What is the main idea?
The Louisiana Purchase was a very good business deal for the U.S.
Mrs. Dursley spent hours craning over the garden fence, spying upon her neighbors. The smallest infraction or breaking of neighborhood rules caused her the most glee, as she could report it to the uppers in charge and cause misery for her neighbors.
What is a character trait that describes Mrs. Dursley?
Controlling, nosy, merciless
Kelvin was waiting in front of the corner store at 3:56. His muscles were tense and he was sweating a bit more than usual. The other kids gathered in front of the little storefront were much more relaxed, even playful. They joked back and forth lightly to each other but for Kelvin, time slowed. 3:57. “Don’t worry, Kelvin. He ain’t even gonna show up.” Kelvin hoped that he wouldn’t. A black four-door Camry with tinted windows pulled up and parked across the street. Kelvin gulped. 3:58. A group of teenagers piled out of the car. James was in the front. “Hi-ya, Kelvin. Glad you could make it,” James said. Kelvin felt smaller.
Why is Kelvin so nervous?
He is about to fight.