Definition The author explains a topic, idea, person, place, or thing by listing characteristics, features, and examples. Focus is on one thing and its components.
Signal Words For example Characteristics are Such as Looks like Consists of For instance Most important
Graphic Organizers Concept Map
Summary Questions
Paragraph Frames
What specific person, place, thing, event, or
concept is being described?
A ________ is a type of _________. It is made
How is the topic described? (How does it
work? What does it do? What does it look like? Etc.)
___________. Some ________ have
up of ____________ and looks like
_________ such as _________. For example, _____________.
What are the most important attributes or
characteristics?
*Look for topic word
(or synonym) to be repeated throughout the text.
How can the topic be classified? (For
example, a robin can be classified as a type of bird.)
______ has several characteristics. One
characteristic is _______. Another is ___, which is important because ___________.
Sequence
The author lists
items or events in numerical or chronological order. Describes the order of events or how to do or make something.
Compare and Contrast
The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.
First, second, third
Next Then, after Before, prior to Not long after While, meanwhile Simultaneously At the same time Following Finally At last In the end On (date) At (time) Directions
Differs from Similar to In contrast Alike Same as As well as On the other hand Both Either , or Not only, but also Yet, although, but, However On the other hand
Timeline 1 2
4 5
Steps/Directions
What sequence of events is being
described?
Here is how a _________ is made. First,
What are the major events or incidents that
occur?
______________. Finally, ____________.
_________. Next, ____________. Then,
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
What are the steps, directions, or
procedures to follow? (What must be done first, second, etc.?)
Cycle/Circle
On (date) _________ happened. Prior to that
_________ was ________. Then __________.
What is the beginning event?
What other events or steps are included?
After that _____________. In the end,
____________________.
What is the final outcome, event, or step?
Venn Diagram
What items are being compared?
_____________ and ___________ are alike in
What is it about them that is being
compared?
several ways. Both ________ and __________
What characteristics of items form the basis
of the comparison?
as well as _________. On the other hand, one
What characteristics do they have in
common; how are these items alike?
difference is ___________. Although they share
T-Chart
have similar ___________. Both also ________
way they differ is _________. Another _____, only ____ is the _____-est.
In what way are these items different?
Alike
Different
* Also look for
est words: best, fewest, tallest, etc.
*All five text structures are tested on Kansas Reading Assessment
C.Simoneau, K.Orcutt, T.Konrade ESSDACK
Side
Structure
Cause and Effect
Description The author lists one or more causes or events and the resulting consequences or effects. Effect = What happened? Cause = What made it happen? Purpose is to explain why or how something happened, exists, or works.
Signal Words Reasons why Reasons for Ifthen As a result of Therefore Because of So Since In order to Leads or leads to Effects of Caused by Result Outcome Impact Influenced by Brought about by
Graphic Organizers
Summary Questions What happened?
Effect #1 Why did it happen? What was the reason for? Cause
Effect #2 What was the effect(s) of the event? What happened as a result of.? Effect #3 What were the results or outcomes caused by the event?
Cause #1
In what ways did prior event(s) cause or
influence the main event?
Cause #2
Will this result always happen from these
causes?
Effect
Paragraph Frames The reason why ________ happened was because of __________. If ________ hadnt happened, then _________. Due to _________ occurring, ______. This explains why _______. The cause of ___________is not easy to define. Some people think the cause is ____________. Others believe the main cause is ___________. Understanding the cause of _____________ is important because _____________________. The effects of ________ are significant because _______. One effect of ______ is __________.
Cause #3
Another result is ________________________.
Because of these outcomes, it important that
*Often there will
be an if/then pattern
Problem and Solution
The author states a problem and lists one or more possible solutions to the problem. May also include the pros and cons for the solutions.
________________________________.
Problem is Dilemma is Puzzle is Solved Question Answer Because Since This led to The main difficulty One possible solution is One challenge Therefore, This led to, so that Ifthen, thus
Fishbone
What is the problem(s)?
Who had the problem?
Problem Solutions Problem #2
Problem #2
*All five text structures are tested on Kansas Reading Assessment
