Which text structure?
Listen to the paragraph:
Look at the tiger! Its fur is bright orange with bold, zigzagging black stripes that cover its strong body. Its eyes are piercing, and the sound of its low, rumbling growl fills the quiet jungle. Every detail makes this animal seem both fierce and beautiful.
Is the text structure in this paragraph description or compare and contrast?
Description
This paragraph tells us lots of details about one tiger. It tells us what the tiger looks like and sounds like. It does not talk about another animal to compare it with. It is all about describing the tiger.
If you were going to write a description of a mountain, what three details might you include?
A) Tall, rocky, snow-capped
B) Steeper than the valley, colder than the lowlands, and more rugged than the hills
A) Tall, rocky, snow-capped
Option A tells us three facts that help us picture one mountain on its own. Option B compares the mountain to other places (the valley, lowlands, hills) and is more like a compare/contrast. When we are describing, we simply list details about the mountain itself.
Listen to this section:
Because the sky turned dark and the wind began to howl, the storm quickly approached the town. As a result, people hurried indoors to stay safe.
Which words in this section give you a hint that this is cause and effect?
“Because” and “As a result.”
“Because” tells us why something happened. “As a result” tells us what happened because of that reason. These words help us see the cause and the effect.
You want to write all about penguins, describing their appearance, habitat, and behaviors.
What text structure should you use: compare/contrast or description?
Description
When you want to tell about one thing by giving lots of details, you use description. You are only talking about penguins, not comparing them to something else, telling about problems they might have, or what steps you need to take to see a penguin.
Listen to the paragraph:
During a stormy night, heavy rain poured over the town. Because the rain was so intense, water began to overflow from the gutters, turning the streets into small rivers. As a result, local officials quickly set up barriers and helped residents move to higher ground.
Is the text structure in this paragraph cause and effect or sequence?
Cause and Effect
This paragraph shows how one thing makes another thing happen. The heavy rain (cause) made the streets flood and then people had to move (effect). It uses words like “Because” and “As a result” to show this connection.
If you were going to write a compare and contrast paragraph about apples and oranges, which details might you include?
A) Apples are round, red or green, and crunchy; Oranges are round, orange, and juicy.
B) Both are fruits and sweet. Apples are crunchy with a core, while oranges are juicy and divided into segments.
B) Both are fruits and sweet. Apples are crunchy with a core, while oranges are juicy and divided into segments.
This shows two similarities (both are fruits and sweet) and two differences (one is crunchy with a core and the other is juicy and segmented). Option A simply describes each fruit on its own, like a description, instead of comparing what is the same and what is different.
Listen to this section:
First, the students gathered their art supplies. Next, they sketched their ideas on paper. Then, they colored in their drawings.
Which three words in this section give you a hint that this is a sequence?
“First,” “Next,” and “Then.”
These words show us the order in which things happen. They help us know what comes first, next, and so on.
You want to write about how to grow tomatoes, explaining how you prepare the soil, water regularly, and keep it safe from birds.
Which text structure should you choose: sequence or cause/effect? Why?
Sequence
When you explain how to do something by listing the steps one by one, you are using a sequence. The order of steps is very important when planting a tomato bush.
Listen to the paragraph:
First, you wet your toothbrush and put a small amount of toothpaste on it. Next, you brush your teeth in gentle circles. Then, you rinse your mouth with water. Finally, you dry your face and put your toothbrush away.
Which text structure is being used in this paragraph? How can you tell?
Sequence
This paragraph tells us what to do step by step. Words like “First,” “Next,” “Then,” and “Finally” show the order of actions. That is called a sequence because things happen one after the other.
Using a sequence structure, list three steps you'd need to take to plant a seed.
Answers will vary.
1. Dig a small hole in the soil;
2: Place the seed in the hole;
3: Cover the seed with soil and water it.
Listen to this paragraph:
During library time, books were scattered all over the floor. The issue was that students did not put the books back on the shelves after reading. To fix this, the librarian organized a fun book return game and showed everyone where each book belonged. Soon, the library became neat and quiet again.
Which text structure does this paragraph use, and which clue words helped you figure it out?
The text structure is Problem and Solution.
The clue words are "the issue was" and "to fix this."
This paragraph tells us about a problem (books on the floor) and then explains a way to solve it (the librarian’s game). The words "the issue was" tell us what was wrong, and "to fix this" tells us how it was solved. These words help us know that the paragraph is using a problem/solution structure.
Oh, no! If the power went out, what would we do?
Give a few examples of what you could do with your team. Then, decide what text structure fits best.
Cause and Effect
This structure is good for showing what might happen as a result of an event!
Listen to the paragraph:
In our classroom, litter often covers the floor after recess. Crumpled papers and snack wrappers are scattered around, making it hard to move safely. To fix this problem, our teacher suggested a daily clean-up routine and assigning a class helper to pick up the trash after lunch.
Which text structure is being used in this paragraph? How can you tell?
Possible answers:
“It is a sequence because it shows the steps in order.”
“The words tell the order of things, so it is a sequence.”
This paragraph tells us what to do step by step. Words like “First,” “Next,” “Then,” and “Finally” show the order of actions. That is called a sequence because things happen one after the other.
Using a cause and effect structure, explain two things that might happen if you forget to water a plant.
Answers will vary.
The plant may wilt, lose its leaves, and eventually die.
One action (not watering) makes something bad happen (the plant suffers). It shows the connection between a cause and what happens next.
Name three clue words that you could use in a compare and contrast paragraph.
Answers will vary:
different, however, yet, but, on the other hand
same, both, similarly, likewise, just like
These words help us see how things are alike and different. For example, “similarly” or “likewise” tells us that two things are the same, while “however,” “but,” or “on the other hand” tells us how two things might be different.
Choose two things around the room that you could compare. Your group needs to find two differences and two similarities.
Answers will vary.