Text structure for young readers

This presentation introduces young readers to several important text structures. Through examples, pictures, and practice, students will learn how to identify and use the text structures of sequence, description, compare and contrast, cause and effect, and problem and solution.

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1. Text Structure
A key to
understanding
nonfiction text

2. Reading to learn
•We read nonfiction to learn about the
world
•What have you learned from reading?

3. What is text structure?
•Authors don’t just write their ideas in any
order
•Instead, authors organize ideas in a way that
helps the reader to understand them

4. What is text structure?
The way a text is organized is called its
text structure

5. Why learn about text structure?
If you understand text structure, it will be
easier for you to read and understand
nonfiction text

6. Text Structures
•Description
•Sequence
•Compare and contrast
•Cause and effect
•Problem and solution

7. Text Structures
•Description
•Sequence
•Compare and contrast
•Cause and effect
•Problem and solution

8. Description
Sometimes, an author wants to describe
something for readers

9. Description

The playground at Northside
Park is built for fun. There are
plenty of ways to get to the top
—a ladder, a stairway, and even a
rock wall! Once at the top, kids
can find plenty of things to play
with, like a curved tube, two
different steering wheels, and
even a tic-tac-toe board. And
two curved sliding boards make
the perfect way to return to the
ground.

10. Description

The playground at Northside
Park is built for fun. There are
plenty of ways to get to the top
—a ladder, a stairway, and even a
rock wall! Once at the top, kids
can find plenty of things to play
with, like a curved tube, two
different steering wheels, and
even a tic-tac-toe board. And
two curved sliding boards make
the perfect way to return to the
ground.
What is this
paragraph
describing?

11. Description

The playground at Northside
Park is built for fun. There are
plenty of ways to get to the top
—a ladder, a stairway, and even a
rock wall! Once at the top, kids
can find plenty of things to play
with, like a curved tube, two
different steering wheels, and
even a tic-tac-toe board. And
two curved sliding boards make
the perfect way to return to the
ground.
This paragraph is
describing the
playground!

12. Description

The playground at Northside
Park is built for fun. There are
plenty of ways to get to the top
—a ladder, a stairway, and even a
rock wall! Once at the top, kids
can find plenty of things to play
with, like a curved tube, two
different steering wheels, and
even a tic-tac-toe board. And
two curved sliding boards make
the perfect way to return to the
ground.
Description
paragraphs are
written to put a
picture in a reader’s
mind.

13. Description
Here’s another paragraph written with the text
structure of description. What is it describing?
A tiny hiding place was nestled under the
green vines. Inside the nook sat two
benches and a small table. The table was
set up to play checkers with butterflies
and ladybugs. It looked like the perfect
place to relax on a hot summer day.

14. Description
Here’s another paragraph written with the text
structure of description. What is it describing?
A tiny hiding place was nestled under the
green vines. Inside the nook sat two
benches and a small table. The table was
set up to play checkers with butterflies
and ladybugs. It looked like the perfect
place to relax on a hot summer day.

15. Description
How did the text structure help you to picture the
scene?
A tiny hiding place was
nestled under the green
vines. Inside the nook sat
two benches and a small
table. The table was
ready to play checkers
with butterflies and
ladybugs. It looked like
the perfect place to
relax on a hot summer
day.

16. Another text structure
But sometimes authors
don’t just want to
describe. An author
might want to tell about
how to do something, or
tell about how things
change over time.

17. Text Structures
•Description
•Sequence
•Compare and contrast
•Cause and effect
•Problem and solution

18. Sequence
•The text structure of sequence, or
chronological order, tells events in
order
•Authors show us that a text is written
in sequence by using words like first,
next, then, later, or finally

19. Sequence
In the spring, toads lay their
eggs in ponds, lakes, and
puddles. Then, tiny tadpoles
come out of the eggs. The
tadpoles live in the water for
several weeks. Next, the
tadpoles start to develop
back legs, and then front legs.
Finally the tadpoles lose their
tails. They are ready to come
out of the water—as tiny, tiny
toads!

20. Sequence
In the spring, toads lay their
eggs in ponds, lakes, and
puddles. Then, tiny tadpoles
come out of the eggs. The
tadpoles live in the water for
several weeks. Next, the
tadpoles start to develop
back legs, and then front legs.
Finally the tadpoles lose their
tails. They are ready to come
out of the water—as tiny, tiny
toads!
Notice that this paragraph shows
how toads grow up. What words
does the author use to connect
the ideas?

21. Sequence
In the spring, toads lay their
eggs in ponds, lakes, and
puddles. Then, tiny tadpoles
come out of the eggs. The
tadpoles live in the water for
several weeks. Next, the
tadpoles start to develop
back legs, and then front legs.
Finally the tadpoles lose their
tails. They are ready to come
out of the water—as tiny, tiny
toads!
Notice that this paragraph shows
how toads grow up. What words
does the author use to connect
the ideas?

22. Review
•Which text structure is used to show
how events happen in order?
•Sequence
•Which text structure helps readers to
create pictures in their minds?
•Description

23. Another structure
Suppose that an author wanted to explain how
these two swimming pools are similar and different.

24. Another structure
The author would use the text structure of
compare and contrast.

25. Text Structures
•Description
•Sequence
•Compare and contrast
•Cause and effect
•Problem and solution

26. Compare and Contrast
This structure helps a reader to understand
similarities and differences.

27. Compare and Contrast
The two backyard pools were very different. Yes,
they both held water. And both could be refreshing
on a hot day. But the small inflatable pool was only
six inches deep. The rectangular pool was much
deeper. It was a better place for floating and
relaxing.

28. Clue words
The two backyard pools were very different. Yes,
they both held water. And both could be refreshing
on a hot day. But the small inflatable pool was only
six inches deep. The rectangular pool was much
deeper. It was a better place for floating and
relaxing.
Which words
help the
reader to
see the
similarities
and
differences?

29. Clue words
The two backyard pools were very different. Yes,
they both held water. And both could be refreshing
on a hot day. But the small inflatable pool was only
six inches deep. The rectangular pool was much
deeper. It was a better place for floating and
relaxing.
Which words
help the
reader to
see the
similarities
and
differences?

30. Compare and Contrast
Sometimes, a
compare and
contrast
paragraph can
explain how a
place changes
over time

31. Compare and Contrast
Have you ever visited the beach
in the evening? It becomes a
very different place. Instead of
colorful umbrellas, crackling
campfires dot the beach. The
lifeguard chairs are not busy
and bustling, like during the day,
but quiet and empty. The crowds
of the afternoon are gone,
leaving only their footprints
behind.

32. Compare and Contrast
Have you ever visited the beach
in the evening? It becomes a
very different place. Instead of
colorful umbrellas, crackling
campfires dot the beach. The
lifeguard chairs are not busy
and bustling, like during the day,
but quiet and empty. The crowds
of the afternoon are gone,
leaving only their footprints
behind.Notice that this paragraph compares the beach in the evening to
the beach in the daytime

33. Compare and Contrast
Have you ever visited the beach
in the evening? It becomes a
very different place. Instead of
colorful umbrellas, crackling
campfires dot the beach. The
lifeguard chairs are not busy
and bustling, like during the day,
but quiet and empty. The crowds
of the afternoon are gone,
leaving only their footprints
behind.How is the beach in the evening different from the beach during
the day?

34. Cause and effect
Sometimes, authors want to explain
how one event causes something else to
happen. This text structure is called
cause and effect.

35. Text Structures
•Description
•Sequence
•Compare and contrast
•Cause and effect
•Problem and solution

36. Cause and effect
Sand castles do not last long
on an ocean beach. The water
levels change with the tide.
When the tide is low, the
waves don’t come all the way
up the beach. When the tide
“comes in”, at high tide, the
water comes farther up the
beach. As a result, sand
castles get destroyed by the
strong waves.

37. Cause and effect
Sand castles do not last long
on an ocean beach. The water
levels change with the tide.
When the tide is low, the
waves don’t come all the way
up the beach. When the tide
“comes in”, at high tide, the
water comes farther up the
beach. As a result, sand
castles get destroyed by the
strong waves.
Can you find the cause? What is the effect?

38. Cause and effect
Sand castles do not last long
on an ocean beach. The water
levels change with the tide.
When the tide is low, the
waves don’t come all the way
up the beach. When the tide
“comes in”, at high tide, the
water comes farther up the
beach. As a result, sand
castles get destroyed by the
strong waves.
Can you find the cause? What is the effect?

39. Cause and effect
Sand castles do not last long
on an ocean beach. The water
levels change with the tide.
When the tide is low, the
waves don’t come all the way
up the beach. When the tide
“comes in”, at high tide, the
water comes farther up the
beach. As a result, sand
castles get destroyed by the
strong waves.
Can you find the cause? What is the effect?

40. Cause and effect
Sometimes, one cause can have multiple
effects.

41. Cause and effect
When a building is abandoned,
nature takes over. Animals
such as mice, snakes, and bats
move in. Vines grow on the
outside. Snow and rain cause
wood to rot and beams to
break. When the roof finally
collapses, trees and weeds can
grow inside the building.

42. Cause and effect
When a building is abandoned,
nature takes over. Animals
such as mice, snakes, and bats
move in. Vines grow on the
outside. Snow and rain cause
wood to rot and beams to
break. When the roof finally
collapses, trees and weeds can
grow inside the building.
What is the main cause in this paragraph?

43. Cause and effect
When a building is abandoned,
nature takes over. Animals
such as mice, snakes, and bats
move in. Vines grow on the
outside. Snow and rain cause
wood to rot and beams to
break. When the roof finally
collapses, trees and weeds can
grow inside the building.
What is the main cause in this paragraph?

44. Cause and effect
When a building is abandoned,
nature takes over. Animals
such as mice, snakes, and bats
move in. Vines grow on the
outside. Snow and rain cause
wood to rot and beams to
break. When the roof finally
collapses, trees and weeds can
grow inside the building.
What are some effects?

45. Cause and effect
When a building is abandoned,
nature takes over. Animals
such as mice, snakes, and bats
move in. Vines grow on the
outside. Snow and rain cause
wood to rot and beams to
break. When the roof finally
collapses, trees and weeds can
grow inside the building.
Notice that, in this paragraph, one cause leads to many
effects!

46. Review
•Which text structure shows similarities
and differences?
•Compare and contrast
•Which text structure describes a series
of events?
•Sequence

47. Problem and solution
A text that explains a
problem and shows how
it is solved uses the
text structure of
problem and solution

48. Text Structures
•Description
•Sequence
•Compare and contrast
•Cause and effect
•Problem and solution

49. Understanding problems and solutions
Authors often use
the words “problem”
and “solution” in a
problem and solution
paragraph

50. Understanding problems and solutions
Sometimes, hawks and owls
are badly injured by cars.
These birds face a huge
problem, because they can no
longer hunt for food. One
solution is to keep the birds at
special rehabilitation centers.
People can visit the centers to
learn more about hawks and
owls.

51. Understanding problems and solutions
Sometimes, hawks and owls
are badly injured by cars.
These birds face a huge
problem, because they can no
longer hunt for food. One
solution is to keep the birds at
special rehabilitation centers.
People can visit the centers to
learn more about hawks and
owls. The birds can receive the
special care they need.
What is the problem in
this paragraph?

52. Understanding problems and solutions
Sometimes, hawks and owls
are badly injured by cars.
These birds face a huge
problem, because they can no
longer hunt for food. One
solution is to keep the birds at
special rehabilitation centers.
People can visit the centers to
learn more about hawks and
owls. The birds can receive the
special care they need.
Notice that the author uses the
word “problem” to show the
problem

53. Understanding problems and solutions
Sometimes, hawks and owls
are badly injured by cars.
These birds face a huge
problem, because they can no
longer hunt for food. One
solution is to keep the birds at
special rehabilitation centers.
People can visit the centers to
learn more about hawks and
owls. The birds can receive the
special care they need.
What is the solution?

54. Understanding problems and solutions
Sometimes, hawks and owls
are badly injured by cars.
These birds face a huge
problem, because they can no
longer hunt for food. One
solution is to keep the birds at
special rehabilitation centers.
People can visit the centers to
learn more about hawks and
owls. The birds can receive the
special care they need.
Notice that the author uses
the word “solution”

55. Problem and solution
But some problem and
solution paragraphs are not
so easy. The author does not
use the words “problem” and
“solution”

56. Problem and solution
In northern areas, the
weather is too cold to grow
crops all year long. But some
farmers have found a way to
grow food all year. A
greenhouse is a special
building that stays warm in
the winter. Crops like lettuce
and basil can grow well in the
greenhouse, even when the
weather is cold!

57. Problem and solution
In northern areas, the
weather is too cold to grow
crops all year long. But some
farmers have found a way to
grow food all year. A
greenhouse is a special
building that stays warm in
the winter. Crops like lettuce
and basil can grow well in the
greenhouse, even when the
weather is cold!
What is the
problem in this
paragraph?

58. Problem and solution
In northern areas, the
weather is too cold to grow
crops all year long. But some
farmers have found a way to
grow food all year. A
greenhouse is a special
building that stays warm in
the winter. Crops like lettuce
and basil can grow well in the
greenhouse, even when the
weather is cold!
What is the
problem in this
paragraph?

59. Problem and solution
In northern areas, the
weather is too cold to grow
crops all year long. But some
farmers have found a way to
grow food all year. A
greenhouse is a special
building that stays warm in
the winter. Crops like lettuce
and basil can grow well in the
greenhouse, even when the
weather is cold!
What is the
solution to the
problem?

60. Problem and solution
In northern areas, the
weather is too cold to grow
crops all year long. But some
farmers have found a way to
grow food all year. A
greenhouse is a special
building that stays warm in
the winter. Crops like lettuce
and basil can grow well in the
greenhouse, even when the
weather is cold!
What is the
solution to the
problem?

61. What have you learned?
What have you learned about text
structure? Share your ideas with a
partner.

62. What have you learned?
What have you learned from the
paragraphs you have read?

63. Review
Read the paragraphs on the next slides.
Use what you have learned to figure out
the text structure.

64. Can you find the text structure?
We had a great time on the Raft Ride! The ride
begins with a walk up a double flight of stairs.
Then, riders wait until a raft comes up the
conveyor belt. A lifeguard helps people onto the
raft. Once the green light comes on, all it takes is
a push to get the raft sliding into the deep, dark
tunnel. After sliding through a few twists and
turns, the raft emerges back into the light and
riders find themselves in a small pool—and ready
to go again!

65. Look at the clue words
We had a great time on the Raft Ride! The ride
begins with a walk up a double flight of stairs.
Then, riders wait until a raft comes up the
conveyor belt. A lifeguard helps people onto the
raft. Once the green light comes on, all it takes is
a push to get the raft sliding into the deep, dark
tunnel. After sliding through a few twists and
turns, the raft emerges back into the light and
riders find themselves in a small pool—and ready
to go again!

66. Sequence
We had a great time on the Raft Ride! The ride
begins with a walk up a double flight of stairs.
Then, riders wait until a raft comes up the
conveyor belt. A lifeguard helps people onto the
raft. Once the green light comes on, all it takes is
a push to get the raft sliding into the deep, dark
tunnel. After sliding through a few twists and
turns, the raft emerges back into the light and
riders find themselves in a small pool—and ready
to go again!

67. Can you find the text structure?
The apple orchard
was beautiful on the
spring morning. Tiny
white blossoms
dotted the trees. The
green grass sparkled
with dew. Mist
drifted against the
faraway mountains.

68. Description
The apple orchard
was beautiful on the
spring morning. Tiny
white blossoms
dotted the trees. The
green grass sparkled
with dew. Mist
drifted against the
faraway mountains.

69. Description
The apple orchard
was beautiful on the
spring morning. Tiny
white blossoms
dotted the trees. The
green grass sparkled
with dew. Mist
drifted against the
faraway mountains.
What is this paragraph
describing?

70. Description
The apple orchard
was beautiful on the
spring morning. Tiny
white blossoms
dotted the trees. The
green grass sparkled
with dew. Mist
drifted against the
faraway mountains.
An apple orchard in
springtime

71. Can you find the text structure?
A beech tree has very
smooth bark. Unfortunately,
this can cause a problem for
the tree. Sometimes people
decide that they want to write
their names in the bark. When
they do this, they can harm
the tree. Diseases can attack
the tree through the cuts in
the bark. Trees can die
because of these diseases.

72. This one is tricky! Look at all of the clues
A beech tree has very
smooth bark. Unfortunately,
this can cause a problem for
the tree. Sometimes people
decide that they want to write
their names in the bark. When
they do this, they can harm
the tree. Diseases can attack
the tree through the cuts in
the bark. Trees can die
because of these diseases.

73. This one is tricky! Look at all of the clues
A beech tree has very
smooth bark. Unfortunately,
this can cause a problem for
the tree. Sometimes people
decide that they want to write
their names in the bark. When
they do this, they can harm
the tree. Diseases can attack
the tree through the cuts in
the bark. Trees can die
because of these diseases.

74. Cause and effect
A beech tree has very
smooth bark. Unfortunately,
this can cause a problem for
the tree. Sometimes people
decide that they want to write
their names in the bark. When
they do this, they can harm
the tree. Diseases can attack
the tree through the cuts in
the bark. Trees can die
because of these diseases.

75. Cause and effect
A beech tree has very
smooth bark. Unfortunately,
this can cause a problem for
the tree. Sometimes people
decide that they want to write
their names in the bark. When
they do this, they can harm
the tree. Diseases can attack
the tree through the cuts in
the bark. Trees can die
because of these diseases.
What is the cause?
What is the effect?

76. Cause and effect
A beech tree has very
smooth bark. Unfortunately,
this can cause a problem for
the tree. Sometimes people
decide that they want to write
their names in the bark. When
they do this, they can harm
the tree. Diseases can attack
the tree through the cuts in
the bark. Trees can die
because of these diseases.
Why is this not
problem and
solution?

77. Can you find the text structure?
Run-off can be a big
problem for streams. When
heavy rains come, the water
washes oil, pollutants, and
soil into streams. This can
harm fish and other living
creatures. But the problem
of run-off can be solved by
planting trees and bushes
along streams. These plants
form buffer zones that
protect the water from
pollution.

78. Can you find the text structure?
Run-off can be a big
problem for streams. When
heavy rains come, the water
washes oil, pollutants, and
soil into streams. This can
harm fish and other living
creatures. But the problem
of run-off can be solved by
planting trees and bushes
along streams. These plants
form buffer zones that
protect the water from
pollution.

79. Problem and Solution
Run-off can be a big
problem for streams. When
heavy rains come, the water
washes oil, pollutants, and
soil into streams. This can
harm fish and other living
creatures. But the problem
of run-off can be solved by
planting trees and bushes
along streams. These plants
form buffer zones that
protect the water from
pollution.

80. Problem and Solution
Run-off can be a big
problem for streams. When
heavy rains come, the water
washes oil, pollutants, and
soil into streams. This can
harm fish and other living
creatures. But the problem
of run-off can be solved by
planting trees and bushes
along streams. These plants
form buffer zones that
protect the water from
pollution.
What is the
problem? What
is the solution?

81. What have you learned?
How will you use text structure to help
you understand what you read?

82. The End

83. Emily Kissner
2010
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commercial use only
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