Text Structures

Tells about a problem, then gives one or more possible solutions or explains how it is solved.

• cause and effect
• compare and contrast
• sequence
• problem and solution

What happened? Why did it happen? What caused it to happen?

• cause and effect
• compare and contrast
• sequence
• problem and solution

Describes items or events in order or tells the steps to follow to do something or make something.

• cause and effect
• compare and contrast
• sequence
• problem and solution

A topic, idea, person, place, or thing is described by listing its features, characteristics, or examples.

• cause and effect
• compare and contrast
• description
• problem and solution

Signal words include: The answer is...To solve this...
One reason for the...The dilemma is...The answer is...
as a result, due to, issue

• cause and effect
• compare and contrast
• sequence
• problem and solution

Signal questions include: What happened? Why did it happen? What caused it to happen? since, because, as a result, leads to, consequently

• cause and effect
• compare and contrast
• sequence
• problem and solution

Signal words include: both, either...or, different from, as opposed to, similar, alike, as well as, not only...but also, same as, in contrast

• cause and effect
• compare and contrast
• sequence
• problem and solution

Signal words include: first, second, next, then, before, after, finally, following, not long after, now, soon, before

• cause and effect
• compare and contrast
• sequence
• problem and solution

Signal words include: for instance, such as..., an example, to illustrate, characteristics

• description

• compare and contrast

• sequence

• problem and solution

Signal questions include: What specific topic, person, idea, or thing is being described; details to help you get a picture?

• description
• compare and contrast
• sequence
• problem and solution