Text Structure
the author states a problem and lists one or more possible solutions
Problem and solution
What is a central idea?
Central idea is the important point that the author is making about the topic.
What is the author's purpose?
The reason or why something is written. (PIE)
What does a reader need to identify in order to understand an author's claim/argument?
Supporting evidence
“While you do provide an attractive offer, I’m just not so sure we can part with our falcon. He is a part of our tribe,” Sargent Foxtail turned to the majestic bird. He snapped his fingers and the bird leaped from its perch on the tree to his hand. I nodded, even though I was disappointed. I thought I had been able to convince him!
What is the meaning of the word “attractive” in the text?
tempting or valuable
Some of the signal words for this text structure include:
same as, similar, alike, as well as, also, both, instead of, on the other hand, different from, and as opposed to
Cause and effect
Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America.It is on the Niagra River about halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.Niagara Falls is on the American and Canadian border.The American Falls is 167 feet high.On the Canadian side, the Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high.What is the central idea of the paragraph?
Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America.
What does PIE stand for?
Persuade, Inform, Entertain
True or False: The author's claim is always right.
False. Many people have differences of opinions on many topics.
His heart was a jackhammer. His head was a hive of bees. Even though he wasn’t scared of the ceremony, he still felt nervous. Isiah always knew he’d live forever. It wasn’t a mystery or a surprise, it was a fact of his life. He was born into a family of immortals and he always knew that tonight he would officially join the group. He was the final member of his class to turn eleven, therefore he was the last to take this step into adulthood. Tonight the teasing about his age would stop. He would step into the circle and join his family and friends.
What does the word “immortals” mean in the text?
People who do not die
To surprise her mother on her birthday, Samantha got up early and make coffee. First, she filled the pot with water. Then she cleaned and replaced the filter. Next, she got fresh coffee, measured just the right amount, and poured it into the filter. Finally, she pressed the "on" button and within seconds, the aroma of the fresh-brewed coffee filled the house. The MAIN text structure used in this paragraph is . . .
Chronological/ Sequence
Kangaroos are mostly night time creatures. Kangaroos have a long powerful tail.They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush.What is the supporting detail in the paragraph?
They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush.
Name the authors purpose: 99% of adults ages 30-45 years old believe that a healthy diet should not include soda or other sugary drinks.
What is the author's purpose of this text?
To inform the reader.
True of False: A claim is the lesson the story is trying to teach us.
False. A claim is the author's position or stance on a topic
My throat felt like sandpaper. I coughed, nearly choking on the water I tried to use to soothe it. Nothing seemed to be working—not tea, cough drops, or honey. “I think we need to go get this medicine,” Eva motioned toward the prescription the doctor wrote for me yesterday. I nodded weakly, pulling myself out of bed and shuffling to the closet to get dressed.
What is the meaning of the word “prescription” as used in the text?
a. A long procedure
b. A brand new type of medicine
c. An instruction for medicine written by a doctor
d. A place that people can go to purchase medicine
c. An instruction for medicine written by a doctor
Every spring, shortly after the tulips bloom, farmers in Holland go through the tulip fields and cut the blooms off the tulips. This seems strange, because it leaves a field full of green stems. However, it makes the colorful tulip blooms grow back even bigger and stronger later that spring. The MAIN text structure used in this paragraph is . . .
cause and effect
A very important food for a large number of people is bread. Bread is made from many different kinds of grains. Americans eat bread mostly made from wheat. Bread is important to us because it is a good source of energy. What is the central idea? A)There are few kinds of bread. B)The best kind of bread is made from wheat. C)Bread is an important food source.
C) Bread is an important food source.
Did you know that there are different kinds of bananas? People are used to eating the regular yellow ones, but there are bananas of many different shapes and sizes! There are red bananas, green bananas, and even ones that are so dark that they look black. Some bananas are tiny, like the size of a finger.
Bananas can also have different flavors. There are bananas that taste much sweeter and fruitier than the regular yellow ones you can find in a store. The problem is that these bananas are hard to get from the tropical areas where they grow to a store far away.
Why did the author write this text?
To inform the reader of the lesser-known fact that there are many types of bananas.
American Idol has been on TV for several seasons. The show first debuted in 2001. Kelly Clarkson was the first winner of the singing competition. Most people still believe that Kelly Clarkson is the best singer that has been on the show.
What is the author's argument?
Most people still believe that Kelly Clarkson is the best singer that has been on the show.
Precariously balancing her purse in the crook of her elbow, Mathilda reached for another box full of donations for the school. Slowly, she made her way toward the main office. A student propped the door open for her as the bell chimed as sharply as the point of his freshly sharpened pencil. “This is the third time you’ve been in this week, Mathilda! What did we ever do to deserve such a benevolent patron?”
What is the meaning of the word “benevolent” as used in the text?
a. Rich
b. Compassionate
c. Rude
d. Selfish
b. Compassionate
Joey lost his science book. He knew he would be in big trouble if he was unable to study for the final. What should he do? He thought for a few worried moments, and then decided to retrace his steps. He remembered putting the book in his backpack that morning. He had taken it out at school when his friend Kim asked to look something up. Now he remembered - Kim still had his book! The MAIN text structure used in this paragraph is . . .
problem and solution
Jack is going to a hockey game next week to see his favorite team. Jack knows that ice hockey is one of the fastest of all sports. It is played between two teams. Each team has six players. The players wear ice skates, helmets, protective padding, and carry a hockey stick. Jack hopes his team will win. What is the central idea? A)Ice hockey is an individual sport. B)Ice hockey is a fast team sport. C)Ice hockey is an unpopular sport.
B) Ice hockey is a fast team sport.
The curtain is about to go up and I’ve never been more nervous. Tonight, I’m singing the lead role in The Magic Flute. It’s the first performance of the season, so of course I’m scared. But I’m even more scared because Mozart is my idol and it’s an honor to perform his work. I hope I can do justice to his opera. It still boggles my mind how Mozart wrote so many operas and symphonies in just 35 years. He was a musical genius and I need to pinch myself right now. I can’t believe I’m about to bring this opera from 1791 to life!
How does the author of Text B show their opinion of Mozart in the text?
a. They talk about mistakes that Mozart made in his life.
b. They write a list of reasons why Mozart was the best composer of all time.
c. They explain that performing Mozart is something they hoped they never had to do.
d. They use positive adjectives like “genius” to describe Mozart.
D.
Reading books is the best hobby if you like adventure. For example, my Harry Potter books take me on a trip to another world where I get to meet wizards and other magical beings. I escape from my life and live a new life inside the pages of my favorite books. Reading is an amazing adventure that can make you feel like you have flown to another galaxy.
All these adventures can make you a more creative person. Ever since I started reading on a daily basis, I have been inspired to pick up other hobbies as well. Now I paint and write in my journal multiple times a week. Meredith Woods is a writer from Arkansas who said: “A good imagination can change the world in the most splendid of ways.” So if you build your imagination through reading, you might do great things in life!
How does the author support the claim that reading can make you a more creative person? Select all that apply.
a. By citing research about the health benefits of reading
b. By quoting a writer who believes in the importance of imagination
c. By describing how reading personally impacted the author
d. By summarizing the plot of the Harry Potter novels
B, C
“This is the greatest day of my life, hands down!” Olivia gasped with an awed expression. She was holding in her hands a picture-perfect shell. It was shaped like an ear and had layer after layer of beautiful colors melding together. It was the kind of shell that could only be made by mother nature. No hand could manufacture such natural beauty. Olivia had been searching for it the entire summer we’d been at the beach and at last she’d found it."
What is the meaning of the word “manufacture” as used in the text?
Make something using machines