Text Structure & Theme
This text structure compares two or more things using similarities and differences.
What is compare and contrast?
What is the difference between central idea and theme?
Central idea = what the text is mostly about; theme = message or lesson.
"I wanted to play outside. ___, it started raining.
However / Therefore / Because
What makes a source credible?
Comes from a reliable source, or an expert in the field, it's talking about
Identify the error in this sentence
"Him and me went to the store yesterday."
He and I went to the store yesterday.
How does the author’s use of flashback contribute to theme development in a narrative?
It reveals past events that shape character motivations and deepen theme.
Identify which one is a claim and which one is evidence?
Schools should have longer recess.
Students who play more show better concentration in class."
"Claim: Schools should have longer recess. Evidence: Students who play more show better concentration in class."
Revise a weak thesis to make it more specific.
"Dogs are good pets."
"Dogs are excellent pets because they provide companionship, improve mental health, and encourage daily exercise."
"Which of the following is plagiarism?"
A) Paraphrasing a paragraph from a book and citing the source
B) Copying sentences from a website without quotation marks or citation
C) Summarizing a source in your own words and giving credit
D) Using a fact from a reputable source and citing it
B) Copying sentences from a website without quotation marks or citation
Choose the correct verb tense.
"Yesterday, I ___ (go) to the park.
went
Explain how shifting point of view changes the reader’s understanding of a theme.
Different perspectives reveal new motivations, biases, or details that alter theme interpretation.
How does supporting evidence strengthen an author’s claim?
It makes the argument more credible and convincing.
Explain how organization affects clarity in argumentative writing.
If your paper isn't organized, how will it make sense?
Explain how paraphrasing differs from summarizing.
Paraphrasing: in your own words
Summarizing: sums up what the author was talking about
"Identify the misplaced modifier and correct the sentence:"
"Running quickly, the finish line was crossed by Sarah."
"Sarah crossed the finish line running quickly."
Analyze how two different text structures in the same text help develop central ideas.
Students must explain structure + connection to idea.
Evaluate which piece of evidence is strongest and explain why.
Statistic
Rewrite these sentences to improve cohesion and flow.
"John likes apples. He also likes bananas. Eating fruit is healthy."
"John likes apples and bananas; eating fruit is healthy for him.
Evaluate two sources and determine which is more reliable and why.
Source A: Blog post about climate change from an unknown author.
Source B: Peer-reviewed article from Science Journal.
Which is more reliable and why.
B, because its a credible source
"Add correct punctuation to this sentence:"
"After school I went to the library I borrowed three books and studied for my test"
"After school, I went to the library; I borrowed three books and studied for my test.
"A detective receives a mysterious note predicting a crime. The story alternates between the detective’s investigation and the criminal’s perspective. Which text structure builds suspense best and why?"
Cause and effect
"Many people believe that video games are harmful. Studies show that moderate gaming improves hand-eye coordination. Therefore, video games are harmful to all children."
Is their reasoning valid and sufficient?
Yes, they used credible evidence
Given a rough draft, students must reorganize and justify their structural changes.
"I like science. Experiments are fun. Science helps people understand the world. I want to be a scientist."
"I want to be a scientist because science helps people understand the world. Experiments are fun, which makes learning science exciting."
"Read the two sources below. Then write a short paragraph that combines information from both to support the claim: 'Community gardens improve neighborhoods.'”
Source 1: “Neighborhoods with community gardens report lower crime rates and more neighbor interaction.”
Source 2: “Community gardens provide fresh produce, which improves nutrition and encourages healthy eating habits among residents.”
"Community gardens improve neighborhoods by making them safer and healthier. Source 1 explains that gardens encourage neighbor interaction and reduce crime, while Source 2 shows that they provide fresh food and promote healthy eating. Together, these sources demonstrate both social and health benefits of community gardens."
"Revise the paragraph below to correct grammar errors, and explain your changes:"
"The teacher tell us to read the book we was excited because it sounded good she explain the chapters very well"
"The teacher told us to read the book. We were excited because it sounded good. She explained the chapters very well.