Text Structure Definitions
QARs
Text Connection Examples
Before Reading
Text Structure Passages
100
the author states a problem and lists one or more possible solutions
What is problem and solution?
100

These are the two categories of QARs

What are In the Book and In My Head

100

Mawi's experiences of coming to America make me think of the movie Elf, where Buddy is learning about how the North Pole is different from New York. 

What is Text to Text?

100

This is information and experiences that you already have before reading a text. 

What is background knowledge?

100
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 . . .
What is sequence?
200
the author explains a topic, person, place, or thing by listing characteristics, examples, or features
What is description?
200

The answer is easily found in the text. The exact words for the questions and answers are located in the same sentence.

What is "Right There"?

200

Mawi's friend Kiros makes me think of my crazy neighbor. He doesn't throw stones, but he does like to climb up into trees and throw water balloons and people!

What is Text to Self?

200

This is the process a reader takes to remember facts about a text before reading it. 

What is activating background knowledge?

200
Willow Creek is very different from New York City. There are no tall skyscrapers in Willow Creek. All you can see are fields and sky. Instead of taxicab horns and fire truck sirens, it is so quiet at night that you can hear the crickets chirping. The MAIN text structure used in this paragraph is . . .
What is compare and contrast?
300
the author lists one or more causes and the resulting effects
What is cause and effect?
300

The answer does not come only from the text. The reader uses previous experience to respond.

What is "On My Own"?

300
Of Beetles and Angels describes the experiences of a young refugee and his family as they move to the United States. This brings to mind the refugee crisis going on right now in Afghanistan.

What is Text to World?

300

This is a previewing strategy readers take before reading a text. 

What is THIEVES?

300
The music was blasting so loud, Marco thought his ears would burst. The stage was filled with bright blue laser beams and a shower of yellow and green paper streamers. All around him, the crowd was singing and dancing wildly. The MAIN text structure used in this paragraph is . . .
What is description?
400
the author explains how two or more things are alike and how they are different
What is compare and contrast?
400

The answer is in the text, but requires gathering information from different places in the selection.

What is "Think and Search"?

400

The way Mawi describes his relationship with Tewolde makes me think of my relationship with my sister. If one of us is getting into trouble, the other is in trouble too. 

What is Text to Self?

400

This is what the T H I and E stand for in THIEVES.

What are Title, Headings, Introduction and Every 1st sentence in a paragraph?

400
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 . . .
What is problem and solution?
500
the author lists the items or events in chronological order; how to make or do something
What is sequence?
500

The answer does not come only from the text. The reader combines previous knowledge with text information to create a response (inference).

What is "Author and Me"?

500

Mawi's mother does not feel comfortable talking to people in America at first because, as a woman, she does not consider herself important enough. This reminds me of the song Speechless in the movie Aladdin because Jasmine is being pressured not to speak because she's a woman. 

What is Text to Text?

500

This is what V E and S stand for in THIEVES

What are Visuals and Vocabulary, End-of-Chapter questions, and Summary?

500
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 . . .
What is cause and effect?
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