Text Structure Definitions Flashcards

Cause and Effect

• Explains the relationship between reasons (causes) and outcomes (effects).
• Example illustrates that illnesses are caused by germs, not cold weather.
• Distinction between cause and effect patterns and chronological storytelling is crucial; cause and effect emphasizes reasons over time sequence.

Cause and Effect (Signal Words)

• Indicators include: because, as a result, resulted, caused, affected, since, due to, effect.

Chronological

• Information organized by the sequence of events in time; includes dates in nonfiction but not always in fiction narratives.
• Every story has a beginning, middle, and end, following a timeline.
• Flashbacks or manipulative time elements still occur chronologically.

Chronological (Signal Words)

• Key words: first, next, later, then, finally, alongside specific dates.

Compare and Contrast

• Examines similarities and differences between two or more subjects.
• Must discuss both similarities and differences for it to be considered as such, avoiding exaggerating either side.

Compare and Contrast (Signal Words)

• Indicators: like, unlike, both, neither, similar, different.

Order of Importance

• Hierarchical arrangement of information from most to least important or the reverse.
• Important for distinguishing from other structures, especially cause and effect and sequential orders.

Order of Importance (Signal Clues)

• Identifying this pattern can be challenging due to potential overlaps with other structures, particularly sequence.

Problem and Solution

• Presents an issue and possible solutions or attempts to remedy it.
• Differentiation from cause and effect lies in explicitly stating both problems and solutions.

Problem and Solution (Signal Words)

• Indicators: propose, solution, answer, issue, problem, remedy, prevention, fix.

Sequence

• Organized by the order of occurrences, typically used for instructions or processes, not attached to specific times.
• Importance of differentiating sequential organization from chronological order.

Sequence (Signal Words)

• Indicators: first, next, before, lastly, then.

Descriptive

• Used for describing locations, ideas, or events; can also follow a spatial organization.
• Identified through setting descriptions and physical appearances of characters or places.

Descriptive (Signal Words)

• Indicators of spatial organization include various prepositions: next to, behind, across from, below, above, to the right of.