Text Features
Key Idea
Cause/Effect
Comparing/Sequencing
Organizational Structure
100
Where you look to find page numbers where different topics start.
What is table of contents?
100
It is often said that lightening never strikes twice in the same place, but this isn't true. Go ask forest rangers. Rangers who spend their summers as fire-fighters will tell you that every thundershower brings several bolts of lightning to their lookout stations. Name the main idea.
What is it is often said that lightening never strikes twice in the same place?
100
The girl missed recess because she didn't do her homework. Name the cause.
What is she didn't do her homework?
100
Definition of comparing.
What is to tell how things are the same or different?
100

Both basketball and soccer require teamwork, but only one uses a ball you kick.
Which structure is being used?

What is compare and contrast?

200
The writing underneath a photograph that gives you more information about the picture.
What is a caption?
200
Costs were low this year and the output is high. There was a good person for each job and the market remained firm. There was no losses from the fire. All in all it was the best years in the history of the company. Name the main idea.
What is it was the best years in the history of the company?
200
The boy missed the bus because he overslept. Name the effect.
What is the boy missed the bus?
200
Name some signal words for comparing.
What is both, similar, same, different?
200

The rise in plastic pollution has become a global issue, but one solution is banning single-use plastics.
Which structure is being used?

What is problem and solution?

300
Like a dictionary, usually found in the back of the book.
What is a glossary?
300
There are great numbers of deer around here. This whole area is great country for hunters and fisherman? There are bears, mountain lions and coyotes. To the east there are streams full of trout and there are ducks and geese. Name the main idea.
What is this whole area is great country for hunters and fishermen?
300
The trip to the beach was cancelled because of the rain. Name the cause.
What is the rain?
300
Definition of sequencing.
What is putting events in order?
300

Lions have golden fur, sharp teeth, and strong muscles. They live in prides on the savannah.
Which structure is being used?

What is description?

400

 a visual representation of data, a visual depiction of information that is quick and easy to read

What is a chart or a table?

400
Advertising affects our lives everyday. Brand names are common household words. We start each day using toothpaste, soap and breakfast foods promoted by advertisers. Ads have made the cars we drive signs of our success. Our choices of food, dress, and entertainment are swayed by ads. Not one aspect of American life is untouched by advertising. Name the main idea.
What is not one aspect of American life is untouched by advertising?
400
The food in the refrigerator spoiled because the electricity went out. Name the effect.
What is the food in the refrigerator spoiled?
400
Some signal words for a sequencing text.
What is first, next, then, after?
400

The rising sea levels are caused by melting ice caps due to climate change.
Which structure is being used?

What is cause and effect?

500

They are found throughout a text and function to divide a text into sections. They provide a brief summary of the content of each section. 

What is subheadings?

500
Penicillin is one of the greatest wonder drugs. It has saved thousands of lives already and will save many more in the future. Unfortunately is has no effect at all on most of the ills of mankind. Penicillin is a very good drug, but it is certainly not a cure-all. Name the main idea.
What is penicillin is a very good drug, but it is certainly not a cure-all?
500
The wasteful energy use of many Americans has contributed to global warming. Name the effect.
What is global warming?
500
Put this in order: going to school wake up eat dinner eat breakfast go to bed
What is wake up, eat breakfast, going to school, eat dinner, go to bed?
500

First, boil water. Then, add the pasta and cook for 10 minutes. Finally, drain and serve with sauce.
Which structure is being used?

What is chronological order?