Definitions
the author states an issue
What is a problem/solution text?
for instance, such as, an example, an illustration, characteristics
What are the descriptive words?
What is the problem? Why is this a problem? Is anything being done to try to solve the problem? What can be done to solve the problem?
What are problem/solution?
Have you ever thought about what makes a volcano erupt or what happens afterward? When the temperature rises deep under the Earth’s crust, it becomes hot enough to melt rock and turn it into magma. Sometimes this melted rock blasts through the Earth’s surface, which causes rock, ash, and deadly gases to fly into the air. The lava that flows out of the volcano can knock down trees and destroy houses and even whole towns. Although volcanoes can cause lots of destruction, the volcano’s eruption also creates new land. Many times this new land forms an island in the ocean. You might even live on land created by a volcano!
cause
Headaches can have several causes. Many people think that the major cause of headache is nervous tension, but there is strong evidence that suggests diet and environment as possible factors. Some people get headaches because they are dependent on caffeine. Other people may be allergic to salt, or they may have low blood sugar. Still other people are allergic to household chemicals including polishes, waxes, bug killers, and paint. If they can manage to avoid these substances, their headaches tend to go away. When a person has recurring headaches, it is worthwhile to look for the underlying cause, especially if the result of that search is freedom from pain.
cause
the author explains a topic, person, place, or thing by listing characteristics, examples, or features
What is a description text?
same as, similar, alike, as well as, also, both, instead of, on the other hand, different from, and as opposed to
What are the compare/contrast words?
What specific topic, person, idea or thing is being described? How is it being described?
What are descriptive?
My science project was fun. I began by choosing to experiment with magnets. First I had to create a brainstorm to come up with this idea. Then I checked to see which materials were attracted to magnets. After a while, I noticed that only things with iron are attracted to magnets. The final step was to write a report that showed my findings.
sequence
To a small child, the ocean and the pond seem very much the same. However, there are important differences to point out. To begin with, a pond is a very small body of water. The ocean covers more than half of the earth’s surface. Ponds are very shallow, but the ocean is several thousand miles deep in most places. Some green pond plants are rooted in mud on the floor of a pond. Because of the ocean’s depth, the sunlight can’t reach the ocean’s floor, hence no green plants grow there. Ponds contain fresh water, which means there is no salt content. The ocean, though, is the largest body of salt water on earth. While they are both bodies of water, there are clearly major differences between the ocean and a pond.
compare
the author lists the items or events in chronological order; how to make or do something
What is a sequence text?
first, next, then, before, after, finally, following, dates, and times
What are the sequence words?
What happened? Why did it happen?
What is cause/effect?
Icebergs—giant blocks of ice that float in the sea—come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are deep blue or green. Some look like floating sculptures. Old icebergs that have been worn down by the weather sometimes look like pillars of ice. Usually, only about one-fifth of an iceberg appears above the surface of the water. The other four-fifths of the “berg” is hidden underwater, out of sight. Sometimes, an iceberg has what is called a “foot,” an extension completely underwater. These are especially dangerous for ships. It was an iceberg “foot” that sank the Titanic in 1912, killing 1,503 people.
descriptive
Soccer is a game that has been played for numerous years. In fact, many people believe that it began in England over 800 years ago. About 200 years ago, in the early 1800s, boys in England played a sport like soccer, but they called it football. However, each school made up their own rules. In 1863, a group of players then met and wrote official rules for soccer. Next, soccer started spreading to other countries. In 1904, an international group called FIFA formed to make sure that every team around the world followed the same soccer rules. Today, soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world!
sequence
the author explains how two or more things are alike and how they are different
What is a compare/contrast text?
so, because, since, therefore, if/then, this led to, as a result, a reason why, may be due to, consequently, for this reason
What are the cause/effect words?
In what ways are they alike/different?
What is compare/contrast?
You are walking along a pond when you see a frog – or is it a toad? How can you tell the difference? Frogs and toads have many physical attributes that can be used to identify which is which. Frogs have smooth skin, and rely on their large, powerful legs. Frogs are also, slimmer, smaller, and more streamlined than toads. Toads have warty skin in contrast to frogs. Toads are fatter and slower than frogs. Unlike frogs, toads can puff themselves up with air. Although frogs and toads are different, they also have some similarities. Both frogs and toads are classified as amphibians. They both have lungs, but can breathe through their skin. Using sounds to attract their mates is another similarity between the two. Toads and frogs both have diets that consist of insects, worms and more. As you can see, frogs and toads can easily be mistaken for one another, but when you know what to look for, telling the difference becomes easy.
compare
A coconut is a tropical fruit. It comes from Asia originally, but it grows in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Central America, and South America. A coconut grows on a coconut palm, which looks like a palm but actually is taller and has more leaves. The coconut appears to be shades of brown and has a hairy shell. On the inside, there is a watery liquid called coconut milk. After you break through the shell, you find what is called the coconut meat. Both the meat and the milk are white. Dried coconut meat is called copra. The coconut is a very interesting fruit
descriptive
the author lists one or more reasons why something occurs and the consequences of it occurring
What is the cause/effect text?
problem is, question is, the puzzle is, to solve this, and one answer is
What are problem/solution words?
What items, events, or steps are listed? Do they have to happen in this order? Do they always happen in this order?
What is the sequence?
Fast food gets bad press these days, especially since it often contains too much fat, sodium and calories, but it brings much needed convenience to our stressful busy world. Fast food is easily found and varied. At any mall, for example, customers have many choices at the food court. To avoid too much fat or salt, they can choose healthier options: salads, turkey sandwiches and so on. On a busy Saturday, with two hungry kids, a mother out shopping is happy to find exactly the right food to eat. Not only that, but the food will be ready quickly, thus reducing the stress on her from demanding children. Fast food is also inexpensive; most menu items offer a full meal for under ten dollars. It is easy to see why fast food is so popular these days—it is convenient and reduces our stress.
problem
Streams face many problems. Chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and oil can wash into the stream during storms. Dirt and debris from construction sites and bare ground cause problems too. But there is a solution. A riparian buffer zone, or an area of trees and shrubs along a waterway, can dramatically improve water quality.
problem