Text Structure
The first step in planting a sunflower is choosing a sunny location. Next, dig a small hole and place the seed inside. Then cover the seed with soil and water it regularly. Finally, watch it grow.
What text structure is being used?
Sequence
Sea turtles face many dangers in the wild. Plastic pollution can harm turtles when they mistake trash for food. People can help by reducing waste and participating in beach cleanups.
What is the author's main purpose?
To inform the reader about the dangers sea turtles face, and what we can do to help.
Bats help the environment in many ways. Some bats pollinate flowers, while others spread seeds. Many bats also eat insects that can damage crops.
What is the central idea of this passage?
Bats are important animals that help the environment in many ways.
What text feature helps readers find the definitions of unfamiliar words?
A glossary
The desert was arid, receiving very little rainfall throughout the year.
Using context clues, what might the word arid mean?
Extremely dry.
Dogs and cats are popular pets. While dogs often enjoy playing outside and going on walks, cats are usually more independent and spend more time indoors.
What text structure is used?
Compare/contrast
Drinking water helps the body stay healthy. Water regulates body temperature, carries nutrients, and helps organs function properly.
What is the author's main purpose? What piece of evidence best supports it?
Purpose: To inform the reader of the importance of drinking water.
Relevant details: regulates body temperature, carries nutrients, and helps organs function.
When creating a summary for a nonfiction text, what are two things you need?
Central Idea + Relevant Details
Why does an author include a caption beneath a photograph or a sidebar in a text next to a passage?
To share more information or related ideas.
Provide a synonym and antonym for enormous.
“The elephant is enormous.”
Examples: "Big" or "small"
Because the storm brought heavy rain, the river overflowed its banks. As a result, nearby roads were closed for several days.
What text structure is used?
Cause and effect
As a wildlife biologist, I have spent years studying wetlands. These habitats are essential because they provide homes for animals and protect communities from flooding.
How does the author's perspective influence the text?
The author's perspective as a biologist helps better support their claim that wetlands are essential habitats.
Many schools are creating gardens on campus. Students learn about science through planting activities, develop responsibility by caring for plants, and grow fresh vegetables for the cafeteria.
What might the central idea be, and how do the supporting details develop the central idea?
School gardens are a great tool because they help students learn about science, develop responsibility, and grow healthy food.
A text includes both a photograph of a volcano and a labeled diagram showing how magma moves inside the volcano.
How does each text feature contribute differently to the meaning of the text?
The photograph gives readers a visual for what volcanoes look like, and the diagram helps readers understand how magma moves.
The hikers were weary after climbing the steep mountain trail for six hours. They stopped to rest before continuing.
What does weary mean? Which context clues helped you determine the meaning?
Exhausted, tired, low energy.
Many students were forgetting to turn in their homework. To solve the problem, the teacher created a reminder chart for the classroom.
What text structure is used?
Problem and solution
Text A: Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.
Text B: Installing solar panels can save money and help the environment. Consider adding them to your home.
How do the authors' purposes differ?
Text A is informational, while Text B is persuasive.
Wetlands absorb excess water during storms, provide habitats for wildlife, and filter pollutants from water.
How do these details work together to support the central idea?
The details support the central idea that wetlands are important habitats.
A student wants to learn where different species of sea turtles live around the world.
Which text feature would be most useful?
A. Map B. Glossary C. Table of Contents D. Caption
A. Map
Text A: The museum displayed an ancient vase from thousands of years ago.
Text B: The castle was built in ancient times, long before modern technology existed.
Explain how the context clues in both texts help determine the meaning of ancient.
Extremely old.
The butterfly has colorful wings covered in tiny scales. Its wings are delicate and can display patterns of blue, orange, black, or yellow.
What text structure is used?
Description
School uniforms help students focus on learning rather than fashion choices. Uniforms can also reduce peer pressure related to clothing.
The author wants to persuade readers. How effective is their argument? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
The argument is effective because the author backs up their opinion with 2 details: helping students focus and reducing peer pressure.
Community gardens are a great addition to most neighborhoods. They can improve neighborhoods by creating attractive spaces and providing fresh food for residents.
Evaluate whether the author provides enough relevant details to support the central idea. Use evidence from the passage.
The author provides two details to back up their claim: community gardens make neighbothoods look nice and provide fresh food.
A nonfiction article about weather includes:
Which feature is most important for helping readers understand how rain forms?
A diagram of the water cycle.
Sentence 1: The bat flew out of the cave at sunset.
Sentence 2: The baseball player grabbed a bat before stepping up to the plate.
Explain how the context changes the meaning of the word bat in each sentence.
Bat, the animal.
Bat, the sports equipment.