Text Structures
The text tells about something by describing its features or giving examples.
Signal words: such as, for instance, in addition, also, specifically
a.) Problem and Solution
b.) Description
c.) Cause and effect
b.) Description
His words cut deeper than a knife.
Words don't materialize into sharp objects. In this metaphor, someone has said something hurtful to another.
anti-
Ex: anticlimax. antiaircraft, antiseptic, antibody
a.) against, opposite of
b.) self
c.) without
a.) against, opposite of
-ism
Ex: communism, narcissism, skepticism
a.) Quality of
b.) State of being
c.) Belief
c.) Belief
Get out of hand
Sentence: She let things get out of hand.
She lets things get out of control.
The text tells about a problem and offers one or more solutions
Signal words: problem, issue, since, as a result, solution, idea, so, leads to, causes
a.) Sequence
b.) Description
c.) Problem and Solution
c.) Problem and Solution
I'm drowning in a sea of grief.
Grief is so overwhelming that the person feels helpless, like they're being pulled underwater.
contra-, contro-
Ex: contradict, contrast, contrary, controversy
a.) against, opposite
b.) before
c.) different
a.) against, opposite
-er, -or
Ex: trainer, protector, narrator
a.) one who
b.) place or state of being
c.) act or process of
a.) one who
Blessing in disguise
Sentence: Getting fired turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Getting fired (normally a negative event) turned out to be a good thing.
The text tells how two or more things are the same and different.
Signal words: similar, same, alike, both, as well as, unlike, as opposed to, on the other hand, in contrast, instead
a.) Sequence
b.) Cause and effect
c.) Compare and contrast
a.) Compare and Contrast
I'm feeling blue.
I'm feeling sad.
co-
ex:co-pilot, co-worker, co-exist, co-author
a.) around, about
b.) against, opposite
c.) with, together
c.) with, together
-ness
ex: heaviness, sadness, rudeness, testiness
a.) state of being
b.) one who
c.) act or process of
a.) state of being
Off the hook
Sentence: He decided to let her off the hook.
He decided to release her from her responsibility.
The text tells about an event (the effect) and why it happened (the cause).
Signal words: since, because, if, due to, as a result of, causes, leads to consequently, then, therefore
a.) Cause and effect
b.) Sequence
c.) Compare and contrast
a.) Cause and effect
She was fishing for compliments.
She is looking/asking for compliments.
extra-
Ex: extracurricular, extramarital, extravagant
a.) against, opposite
b.) put into, cover with
c.) beyond, outside, more than
c.) beyond, outside, more than
-less
Ex: endless, ageless, lawless, effortless
a.) position held
b.) capable of being
c.) without
c.) without
Once in a blue moon
Sentence: I go out for walks once in a blue moon.
I go out for walks very rarely.
The text tells about an event in the order it happened or lists steps telling how to do something
Signal words: first, second, third, then, next, before, after, finally, following
a.) Description
b.) Compare and contrast
c.) Sequence
c.) Sequence
He is the apple of my eye.
He is someone I really care about.
inter-
Ex: intersect, interstellar, intervene, interpenetrate
a.) not, without
b.) between, among
c.) not, lacking, opposite of
b.) between, among
-y
Ex: sleazy, hasty, greasy, nerdy, smelly
a.) without
b.) characterized by
c.) belief
b.) characterized by
Straw that broke the camel’s back
Sentence: That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
My patience has finally run out.