Signal Words
What text structures are there signal words for?
"first, second, next, then, before, after, finally"
chronological (sequence)
What is text structure?
HOW the author wrote the text.
What is another word for central idea?
main idea
What is author's purpose?
WHY the author wrote the text
What text feature is a visual image that shows what something looks like?
photograph (picture)
What text structure are these signal words for?
"the question is, the dilemma is, to solve this, one answer is"
problem and solution
Ice-cream is a delicious frozen treat that comes in a many different colors and flavors. Two of my favorite flavors are strawberry and chocolate. Though both of these flavors are delicious, strawberry may contain pieces of fruit while chocolate usually will not. Even though more chocolate ice-cream is sold across the country annually than strawberry, each flavor tastes great inside of a milk shake.
compare and contrast
Some trees are conifers while others are deciduous. Deciduous trees have broad leaves. which they lose each autumn. Maple, oak, and elm trees are deciduous. Conifers, on the other hand, usually have thin, narrow leaves called needles. Pine, fir, cedar, and other conifers do not lose their leaves in the fall.
What is the central idea?
A. Conifers and deciduous trees can be compared and contrasted
B. Conifers and deciduous trees have different leaves
C. Some trees have thin, narrow needles
D. Maple, oak, and elm trees are deciduous
B. Conifers and deciduous trees have different leaves
Summer can be scorching with temperatures peaking above 100 degrees. However, a swimming pool is an excellent means to combat the heat. Floating in the water provides a cool and refreshing relief from the high temperature. Splashing about in the depths of crystal clear water helps to battle the overwhelming heat. Grab a friend and head down to the pool this summer for a welcome respite from the summer sun!
What is the author's purpose?
A. Inform readers about the benefits of swimming
B. Persuade readers swimming is a great when it is hot outside
C. Entertain readers with a tale of friends swimming
B. Persuade readers swimming is a great when it is hot outside
What text feature is information placed in chronological order to help a reader understand the relationship between events over time?
timeline
What text structure are these signal words for?
"but, instead, however, as well as"
compare and contrast
No one knows the true origin of ice-cream, but the first published ice-cream recipe appears in “Mrs. Mary Eales's Receipts,” a cook book that was printed in London in 1718. Sometime around 1832, an African American confectioner named Augustus Jackson created multiple ice cream recipes and invented a superior technique to manufacture ice cream. Ice cream soda was invented around 1874, but the real breakthrough may have been at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, when the American ice-cream cone was unveiled!
chronological (sequential)
Food waste is a major problem in the United States. Each year, billions of pounds of perfectly edible food are thrown out and left to rot. To solve this problem, grocery shoppers are encouraged to buy only what they truly need to feed their families. Another solution used by some families is making sure all leftovers are eaten before new foods are prepared. If all U.S. families make an effort, hopefully we can waste less food (and money) as a nation.
What is the central idea?
A. Food waste is a major problem
B. If people take care they can help reduce food waste
C. Food waste is an expensive problem in the U.S.
D. Families should only buy what food they need
B. If people take care they can help reduce food waste
Have you ever had an ice-cream headache? That’s when a painful sensation resonates in your head after eating something cold (usually ice-cream) on a hot day. This pain is produced by the dilation of a nerve center in the roof of your mouth. The nerve center is overreacting to the cold by trying to heat your brain. Ice-cream headaches have turned many smiles to frowns.
What is the author's purpose?
A. Inform readers what causes an ice cream headache
B. Persuade readers to be more careful so they don't get ice cream headaches
C. Entertain readers with a story of someone getting an ice cream headache.
A. Inform readers what causes an ice cream headache
What text feature is an alphabetical list of important subjects in the text that is located in the back of the book?
index
What text structure are these signal words for?
"therefore, for this reason, consequently"
cause and effect
Freezer burn may have wasted more ice-cream than sidewalks. Freezer burn is when ice crystals form on the surface of ice-cream. These ice crystals can ruin the texture and flavor of the ice cream. But it can be prevented. Since freezer burn is caused when melted ice-cream is refrozen, rather than eating your ice-cream from the container as it melts, scoop your ice-cream into a bowl and put the container back in the fridge immediately. Doing this ought to help you avoid issues with freezer burn.
problem and solution
Did you know that paper airplanes were first created in Japan and Ancient China? A paper plane is a toy airplane fashioned from paper. The paper is creased, or doubled over, in a specific manner so that the folded paper actually glides. This is a form of origami; the Japanese art of paper folding. Paper planes were originally created for testing real airplanes. The Wright brothers actually tested miniature paper airplanes, modeled after their own design, prior to building their first airplane. Today the constructing of paper planes is viewed more as a pastime and a craft.
What is the central idea?
A. Paper planes have been used for both inventing and pleasure
B. Paper planes come from China
C. It is easy to fold paper planes
D. People use paper planes to test airplane design
A. Paper planes have been used for both inventing and pleasure
Pie is without question better than cake. First, pie has a wonderful buttery, flaky crust. When you bite into a piece of pie, you savor the perfect combination of flaky crust and sweet, oh-so-tasty filling. When you bite into a piece of cake, on the other hand, you just get mushiness with frosting on top. Furthermore, if you eat a fruit pie, you can claim that you are getting a daily serving of fruit!
The author's primary purpose for the above statements is most likely:
A. to describe to readers what pie and cake taste like.
B. to persuade readers to agree that pie tastes better than cake.
C. to persuade readers to have pie for their birthday instead of cake.
D. to inform readers of the differences between pie and cake.
B. to persuade readers to agree that pie tastes better than cake.
What text feature is an illustration of an object or inside look at what is being discussed. It is usually labeled and helps a reader understand information more clearly.
diagram or cutaway
What text structure are these signal words for?
"for instance, to illustrate"
description (main idea/details)
The ice-cream shop around the corner from my house has the best ice-cream in the city. When you first walk inside, there is a long chrome counter with matching stools extending to alongside the far wall. Right where the counter stops, the booth seating begins. There are lots of old-timey knickknacks on the walls and chrome napkin holders on all the tables. My favorite part of the shop is behind the counter glass, where they keep all of the ice-cream flavors. A rainbow of delicious sugary flavors is kept cool and delicious behind the counter glass.
description (main idea/details)
Before the invention of the toothbrush, people used a twig with a frayed end, also known as a “chew stick,” to brush their teeth. Today’s toothbrush is designed with a solid plastic handle with either a fixed or flexible brush at one end. Toothpaste is typically added to a toothbrush to assist in maintaining good oral hygiene. Utilizing appealing, or attractive, toothbrushes can make tooth brushing enjoyable and lead your child in attaining perfect oral health.
What is the central idea?
A. A toothbrush is for a dentist
B. Buying a toothbrush is an important part of your daily routine
C. A toothbrush is a tool for maintaining oral hygiene
D. There are a variety of toothbrushes and toothpaste
C. A toothbrush is a tool for maintaining oral hygiene
There is only one planet not named after an ancient god or goddess. Can you name it? Well, let’s figure out the answer by going through the planets, one by one. The planet closest to the sun is Mercury. Because it was the fastest to move around the sun, the Romans named it after their messenger god, Mercury. The Romans named the second planet, Venus, after their goddess of love. The Romans named our other neighbor, Mars, after their god of war because of its red, bloodlike color. Since Jupiter is the largest planet, the Romans named this planet after their most important god, Jupiter. Saturn and Uranus were named after the father and grandfather of the god Jupiter. Neptune was named after the Roman god of the sea. So… have you figured out the only planet not to be named after a Roman or Greek god or goddess? The answer is Earth, of course!
The author’s primary purpose for writing the above paragraph was most likely:
A. to entertain the reader with a story about how the planets were named.
B. to inform the reader how the planets were named.
C. to entertain the reader with stories about ancient gods and goddesses
D. to inform the reader how Earth got its name.
B. to inform the reader how the planets were named.
Symbols used to list facts or important information that helps a reader find them easily.
bullets, asterisk, arrows, stars