Text Structure Definitions
The author uses this structure to tell us the differences and similarities between 2 things.
What is compare and contrast?
What is the main idea?
Feature that helps the reader understand the definitions of important words.
What is a glossary?
If you want to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, follow these directions. First, get bread, jelly, peanut butter, and a knife. Then, put peanut butter on one piece of bread. Next, put jelly on the other piece of bread. Last, put the two pieces of bread together to make your sandwich.
What is chronological order or sequence?
On Monday, Jonelle failed her science test. She'd intended to study over the weekend, but by Sunday evening, she still hadn't opened her science book. Plus, her favorite show was on from 8:00-10:00. Then, before she realized it, it was time for bed. Jonelle swallowed hard as she opened the front door. She hoped her mother wasn't home.
What is Jonelle did not study and failed a test?
The author uses this structure to tell us what happened and why.
What is cause and effect?
These help support the main idea of the text.
What are the supporting details?
Feature that tell the main ideas and what pages they are on. It is usually at the beginning of the book.
What is the Table of Contents?
Butterflies and moths have many similarities. Both have antennae and two wings. Both come in a variety of colors. However, there are many differences between them. Moths mostly fly at night. Butterflies come out in the day. Moths are usually light colors. Butterflies are often brightly colored.
What is compare and contrast?
Rubin dug frantically through his backpack. It has to be here, he thought. How many times had his mother told him not to take his iPad to school. He searched his locker again without much hope. He knew he was in trouble. What can you infer from this passage?
What is Rubin lost his iPad?
The author uses this structure to tell us about a problem and how it was solved.
What is problem and solution?
The crop that gives the most food to humans and animals in the United States is corn. Most of the corn grown is for use as animal feed. The farmers of the United States produce about one half of all the corn grown in the world. What is the main idea?
a. Corn is grown as feed for humans and animals.
b. Corn is grown all over the world.
c. Corn is important as it is used for many things.
What is A?
Words under a picture that tells you about about the picture.
What is a caption?
Wild chimpanzees are rapidly disappearing. If this continues, chimpanzees may one day exist only in zoos. People are trying to save the rain forests and woodlands where the chimps live from being cut down. If people work together, this problem may be solved and the chimps may continue to thrive in the wild.
What is problem and solution?
As Martin walked down the street, he noticed that most people were carrying closed umbrellas. Although he had not seen a weather report, what could Martin infer?
What is It was going to rain later that day?
The author uses this structure to tell us how things happen in order. For example, a recipe or a timeline.
What is chronological order or sequence?
One of the most welcome sights in the desert is the cactus. The cactus is a plant that can store large amounts of water. It has a thick, tough skin to keep the water in. There are many kinds of cacti. Some grow as tall as 50 feet. What is the main idea?
a. The cactus grows in most parts of the world.
b. The cactus is a beautiful-looking plant.
c. The cactus is designed for storing water.
What is C?
Feature that shows us exactly what something looks like.
What is a picture or photograph?
Sally's mom forgot to set her alarm before she went to bed on Monday night. When she woke up on Tuesday morning, her clock read 9:00 AM. Sally's school started at 7:45 AM and she was worried that Sally was going to miss her important math test. Sally's mom quickly drove her to school, but by the time they got there, the test was already over. Because she missed class, Sally got a zero on her math test.
What is cause and effect?
Dalton twisted the handlebars from side to side, trying to keep the bicycle upright. His feet pumped the pedals, and as the bike picked up speed he found he could steer it much more easily. “Look, I’m doing it!” he shouted. What can you infer from the passage as to what is going on?
What is Dalton just learned to ride a bike?
The author uses this structure to tell us all about something or someone. They use lots of adjectives to help us image what it may look like.
What is description?
There are about 2,000 kinds of bats. They come in many sizes. bats are rather strange looking animals. They are soft and furry with large ears. Bats can not run or walk. They usually eat insects. Bats are the only mammals that fly. What is the main idea?
a. Bats are unusual mammals.
b. Bats move by running and flying.
c. Bats look like many other animals.
What is A?
The feature that tells us the exact page number something can be found on. It is usually found in the back of the book.
For example: Hamsters pages 4, 5, 9
Snakes pages 9, 10, 12
What is the Index?
The raccoon is a North American mammal that grows up to 20 pounds and 28 inches long. It has grayish fur and a bushy, black-striped tail. The raccoon looks like it is wearing a mask because it has black fur around its eyes.
What is description?
Rubin made a mental checklist: Do laundry. Go to supermarket and get groceries. Clean house. Fix hallway light. Change the bed sheets in guest room. Wrap presents. His parents were coming in the morning and he didn't know how he would get everything done. What can you infer about how Rubin is feeling? Why?
What is Rubin is stressed because his parents are coming to stay over?