NONFICTON TEXT STRUCTURES: Signal Words
This text structures uses signal words like "both," "similar," "different," and "unlike."
COMPARE & CONTRAST
This text structure is used to explain information about a topic as a series of events or a timeline.
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER / SEQUENCE
A character struggles with their own thoughts, feelings, or beliefs: man vs. __________
Man vs. Self
The narrator is a character in the story and tells the story based on their own experiences. Key Words: I/me/my
FIRST PERSON
In the short story, "Checkouts," what item does the bag boy drop on the floor and break?
A jar of mayonnaise
This text structure uses signal words like "first," "then," "later," and "finally."
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER / SEQUENCE
This text structure is used to give specific details about a topic and create an image of the topic in the reader's mind.
DESCRIPTION
A character struggles with another character: man vs. ___________
Man vs. Man
The narrator is speaking directly to the reader. Key Words: you/your
SECOND PERSON
In the short story, "The Party," what is wrong with the envelope that Bridget hands the main character at the end?
This text structure uses signal words like "difficulty," "challenge," "issue," and "solved."
PROBLEM & SOLUTION
This text structure is used to show how two or more topics are similar and/or different.
COMPARE & CONTRAST
A character struggles with animals, weather, or the environment: man vs. ____________
Man vs. Nature
The narrator is an outsider telling the story about others. Key Words: he/she/they
THIRD PERSON
In the article, "The Birth of the Blues," the author explains why Levi Strauss originally invented blue jeans. What were these pants meant to be?
This text structure uses signal words like "because," "impacted," "as a result," "affected," and "due to."
CAUSE & EFFECT
This text structure is used to introduce a difficulty and offer ways to solve that difficulty.
PROBLEM & SOLUTION
A character struggles with machines, like robots or AI: man vs. _______________
Man vs. Technology
This is a TYPE of third person point of view. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of only ONE character.
THIRD PERSON LIMITED
A text-dependent analysis has three main parts: E________________, I__________________, and I______________________. Name these three terms.
Evidence, Inference, and Interrelationship
This text structure uses signal words like "features," "looks like," "characteristics," and "for example."
DESCRIPTION
This text structure is used to show how one event leads to another event.
CAUSE & EFFECT
A character struggles with the values or rules of a community, culture, or government: man vs. ___________
Man vs. Society
This is a TYPE of third person point of view. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of MANY or ALL characters.
THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT
Ms. Neiman's favorite number is 3. What is 100 - 33?
67 :)