Text Structures
Central Idea
Text/Graphic Features
Context Clues
100
Name the 5 text structures
compare and contrast
cause and effect
problem and solution
description/list
sequence/chronological order
100
Pizza is a favorite food in the United States. Pizza is from Italy in the late 1600s. It became popular in the United States after World War II. People like to add toppings. Some toppings are pepperoni, sausage, and vegetables. These toppings give pizza more flavor. Pepperoni is America's favorite topping.
Pizza is a popular food in the U.S.
100
What is the purpose of bold words?
calls attention to something important/emphasis
100
The company was established, or started, in 1925.
What does the word established mean?
started/created
200
In order for a rainbow to form, sunlight must first enter a raindrop. The raindrop then bends the light. This separates it into its individual colors. Next, the light exits the raindrop and is bent again. Finally, the arc you see in the sky is the rainbow. Rainbows are actually a full circle, but we can only see half of them from our position on Earth.
What is the text structure?
(compare and contrast, cause and effect, problem and solution, sequence/chronological order, description/list)
sequence/chronological order
200
You probably know sharks have very sharp teeth, but did you know they never run out of them? If a shark loses a tooth, another moves forward from within the shark’s jaw, where it keeps a nearly unlimited supply of replacement teeth. This way, it’s almost impossible for a shark to end up without a full set of teeth. This is a phenomenon unique to the shark. No other animal in the world has teeth quite like the shark’s. A shark can go through as many as 20,000 teeth in its lifetime!
What is the central idea?
Sharks never run out of teeth.
200
This feature is near a photograph or illustration and gives the reader information about that image
caption
200
She communicates by texting, calling, and e-mailing.
Using context clues, determine the meaning of the word communicates.
talks to/with others
300
Getting enough sleep is important. Busy schedules can prevent people from getting the hours of sleep they need. Stress and screen use can also cause problems. Staying up too late can affect how much sleep a person gets as well. Being tired is the main effect. This can lead to concentration problems during the day. A lack of focus can make a person more likely to have an accident because they can't pay attention.
What is the text structure?
(compare&contrast, cause&effect, sequence/chronological order, description/list, problem&solution)
cause and effect
300
Have you seen a giraffe at the zoo? Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world. The average height of a giraffe is 16-18 feet tall. This animal has a very long neck and legs. Giraffes eat the leaves from tall trees. Other animals cannot reach that high. Male giraffes are even taller than female giraffes.
What is the central idea?
Giraffes are extremely tall animals.
300
What is this an example of? (the part circled in red only)
heading
300
The petite kitten was the smallest one she had ever seen.
Using context clues, determine the meaning of the word petite.
small/tiny
400
Readers enjoy the fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen. He was born on April 2, 1805, in Denmark. As a young boy, he attended school only now and then. He had a love of performing, though. When he was 14, Andersen moved to the capital of Denmark. He wanted to become an actor or a dancer. When he wasn't successful, he went to college instead. He then became interested in writing. His first collection of fairytales was published in 1835. He wrote many stories during his long writing career. Andersen died on August 4, 1875. His stories are still loved to this day.
What is the text structure? What clues from the text show you?
sequence/chronological order; the dates in the text and transition words like then
400
Working dogs are animals that have a job. These animals are trained to help people. They protect people. They make life easier. Some dogs work with police officers. They help them find criminals or weapons. Other dogs also help find people. They are called search and rescue dogs. They are trained to find missing people when there is a disaster, like a flood, avalanche, or tornado. Other dogs act as eyes for people with visual impairments. Some dogs act as ears for people with hearing impairments. Dogs become working dogs when they are specially trained for their job.
What is the main idea?
Some dogs are working dogs with particular jobs.
400
What is the purpose of a timeline?
to show the order of important events
400
It was frigid outside, but it was warm and cozy inside.
Using context clues, determine the meaning of the word frigid.
cold
500
Italian and Mexican are two styles of cooking. Many restaurants specialize in these flavors. They are both popular, but they have differences. Italian food often includes pasta, olive oil, tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese. Mexican food, on the other hand, usually focuses on beans, corn, chili peppers, and spices. The flavor of Italian food is often milder, while Mexican food is spicier. Boiling and roasting are involved in cooking Italian food. Grilling is the main method for Mexican dishes. Italian food is often shown in a fancy way. Mexican food, however, is more casual.
What is the text structure? What clues from the text show you that?
compare/contrast; words like: both, on the other hand, while, however, differences
500
Birds are a special type of animal that you may see either walking or flying in the air. Birds have two legs, which are often covered with scales. A bird's body is covered with feathers and they have wings. The feathers help birds fly and control their body temperature. Birds have bones that are light so they can fly easily. A beak is a special word to describe the bird's nose. The beak is used for eating. Beaks can be different in size, shape, and color. Birds are a type of animal with very unique features.
What is the main idea?
Birds have unique features.
500
What is this an example of? AND what do you call the words in it?
diagram; labels
500
They were persistent, as they hiked through rain and mud.
Using context clues, infer what the word persistent means.
determined;not giving up