Definition:The semantic and syntactic organizational arrangements used to present written information such as the following: sequence, description, compare-contrast, cause/effect, problem-solution, and persuasion chosen to support the function of the writing itself.
Types of Structure: Description Sequence/Process/Chronological Compare/Contrast Cause and Effect Problem and Solution Narrative Argument
- Description or List- When a text describes or lists attributes about a certain topic. If you have a Gail Gibbons book laying around, she writes with this text structure a lot.
- Sequence or Time Order- When the text is written in a chronological order or special sequence. When teaching to retell fiction, we often tell kids to retell the story in order. Sequence or Time Order structure requires the same. Some examples include a recipe book, directions to playing a game, an autobiography or biography.
- Compare and Contrast- A text that compares and contrasts two subjects, such as alligators and crocodiles or Spanish and Italian origins.
- Cause & Effect*- A text that is based off a cause and effect scenerio, such as listing the causes and effects of endangered animals.
- Problem & Solution*- Problem and solution should be somewhat familiar to readers who have studied fiction texts based on a problem and solution text structure although problem and solution text structures with non-fiction can be a little less obvious. Some real life examples of problem and solutioninclude texts like advertisements in magazines for products (having difficultyteaching your child to read; tutoring program or computer program thatclaims to “fix” the problem; medicines, etc.).
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