Text Features
Definitions of text structures
Easier Text Features
Author's purpose
(inform, persuade, entertain)
Guess The Text Structure From The Passage
100

This part of the text provides additional information at the bottom of a page, often referencing a source.

What is a footnote?

100
This text structure gives readers a chronological of events or a list of steps in a procedure.
What is order/sequence?
100

This feature organizes the text into sections based on the subject being discussed.

What is a heading?

100

The author explains how photosynthesis works by providing detailed facts and diagrams about the process.

What is to inform?

100

All
 crocodilians
 are
 reptiles
 with 
long 
snouts, 
long
 tails,
 four 
short
 legs, 
tough
 skin,
 and 
sharp 
teeth.

 Members
 of the
 crocodilian 
family 
include 
alligators,
 crocodiles, caimans, 
and 
gavials.

 Crocodilians 
live 
in 
warm weather throughout
 the
 year
 and 
they 
spend 
part 
of 
their 
time 
in
the
 water
 and
 part
of their
 time
 on
 land.

Almost 
all
crocodilians
 grow 
to
 be
 very 
large,
 with 
the 
largest 
more
than
 twenty 
feet 
long.

 There
 are 
two 
kinds
 of 
alligators,
 14
 kinds 
of 
crocodiles,
 eight
 kinds
 of
 caimans, 
and
 one 
kind
 of
 gavial.

What is description?

200

This page provides an organized outline of the topics and chapters in the text.

What is the table of contents?

200
This type of structure sets up a problem or problems, explains the solution, and then discusses the effects of the solution.
What is problem and solution?
200

These sub-sections fall under a main heading to divide the content into more specific topics.

What is a subheading?

200

The writer urges readers to recycle more by explaining the environmental impact of plastic waste and offering tips on reducing plastic use.

What is to persuade?

200

On
 the
 river 
banks 
of the 
Nile 
River, 
home 
to
 some
crocodiles,
 there
 are
 many
 kinds
 of 
birds, 
sometimes 
called
crocodile 
birds
 because they
 are
 always 
hopping
 around
crocodiles.

 The
 big 
crocodiles 
and
 the 
birds
 are 
useful to
each 
other 
for
 several 
reasons.
The
 birds 
eat
 flies 
and
leeches
 that
 they 
find
 on 
the 
crocodiles’
 skin 
and
 mouths.

 In
 this
 way, 
the
 birds
 get
 a 
good
 mean 
and
 the 
crocodiles
get
 rid
 of 
the
 leeches
 and 
flies.

 Sometimes 
an 
enemy
 frightens 
the 
birds 
who 
scream
 and
 fly 
away.

 As 
a 
result 
of 
the
 noise, 
the
 birds
 give 
the 
crocodiles
 a
 warning
 of
 danger.

What is cause and effect?

300

This alphabetically ordered list gives page numbers for topics in the text.

What is an index?

300
This structure presents the causal relationship between an specific event, idea, or concept and the events, ideas, or concept that follow.
What is cause and effect?
300

A short statement that briefly summarizes the topic of the text, often found under a heading.

What is a caption?

300

An article talks about the history of Mount Everest expeditions, describing key moments in an adventurous, exciting way.

What is to entertain?

300

In
 most 
parts 
of 
the 
world 
there
 are 
not
 as
 many 
crocodiles
 as
 there 
used 
to
 be.

 This
 is 
a
 problem
 because 
crocodiles
 are 
becoming
 endangered and
 also
 crocodile are 
necessary
 to 
the 
balance
 of
 nature.

 Many 
crocodiles 
have 
died
 because people
 dried 
up 
the swamps
 and
 marshes
 where 
the 
crocodiles
 live.

 Poachers
 have
 also
 contributed 
to
 the 
dilemma
as 
crocodiles 
have
 been
 desired
 for 
their 
strong,
 smooth, 
leathery
 skins.

 In
 order 
to 
preserve
 these 
mighty
 creatures,
 people
 must
 take 
care
 of 
the
 crocodiles’ 
environment
 and
 help
 put
 a
 stop
 to 
the
 needless
 shooting
 of 
these 
animals.

What is problem and solution?

400

This tool is found at the end of the book and explains key terms in alphabetical order.

What is a glossary?

400
This type of text structure features an explanation of something to give the reader a mental picture.
What is description?
400

A picture or drawing included to help readers understand the text better.

What is an illustration?

400

The author writes about the dangers of smoking and uses statistics to show how quitting smoking can improve health and save lives.

What is to persuade?

400

A chimpanzee’s body is made for climbing and swinging in the trees. First, it uses its long arms to reach a branch. Next, with its flexible hands and feet, it grabs and hooks on to the branch. Finally, it swings from that branch to another branch of tree.

What is sequence?

500

Elements such as headings, subheadings, and images that help organize and highlight information in the text.

What are text features?

500
This type of text examines the similarities and differences between two or more people, events, concepts, ideas, etc.
What is comparison and contrast?
500

This text feature offers additional information or insights related to the main text.

What is a sidebar.

500

A passage describes the life cycle of a butterfly, outlining the four stages from egg to adult, with specific scientific details.

What is to inform?

500

Chimpanzees and humans are alike in many ways. A baby chimp laughs when its mother tickles it. After chimpanzees fight, they kiss and make up. When one chimpanzee comforts another, it gives it a hug or pat on the back. There are, of course, many ways that chimpanzees and humans are different. Chimpanzees are smaller and stronger than humans. An adult male chimpanzee stands three or four feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. But a chimpanzee can lift more weight than a man who is six feet tall.

What is compare & contrast?

M
e
n
u