Text+Structures

The 5 Most Common Structures of Nonfiction Just like fiction, which has plot structures that students must lean and recognize, nonfiction follows basic structures, as well. Five kinds of text structures, or patterns of organization, are commonly found in informational texts: Example: //The dinosaurs were four to eight feet long, about the size of kangaroos. They had small heads and long necks, and they walked on two or four legs. // // **Signal words**//: to begin with, for example, for instance, most important, in front, beside, near Example: //Trouble had been brewing for more than 10 years. In 1763 Britain defeated France in the French and Indian War. Britain then tried to tighten control over its 13 American colonies and tax the colonies more heavily.// // **Signal words: **//first, second, third, before, on (date), not long after, after that, next, at the same time, finally, then, following Example: //The cheetah can run 70 mph. In the 1996 Olympic Games, Michael Johnson set a world record and captured the gold medal when he ran 200 meters in 19.32 seconds. That’s 23 mph.// // **Signal words:**// like, unlike, but, in contrast, on the other hand, however, both, also, too, as well as  Example: //As the left plate slides down into the earth, it enters the hot mantle. Rocks in the sliding plate begin to melt, and they form magma. // // **Signal words:**// therefore, consequently, so, this led to, as a result, because, if…then Example: //Environmentalists are battling to save remaining native species. Scientists and private citizens are attempting to preserve 4,000 acres on the island of Hawaii by literally fencing them off against alien invader species.// // **Signal words:**// therefore, consequently, so, this led to, as a result, because, if…then
 * 1. Description or listing:  ** provides information, such as facts, characteristics, and attributes about a subject, event, person or concept. This organization is the most common pattern found in textbooks.
 * 2. Sequence or time order: ** presents a series of events that take place in a time order. The author traces the sequence or the steps in the process.
 * 3. Compare and Contrast: ** points out the likenesses and/or differences between two or more subjects.
 * 4. Cause and Effect: ** attempts to explain why something happens; how facts or events (causes) lead to other facts or events (effects). A single cause often has several effects. Also, a single event may have several causes. This paragraph describes causes and effects.
 * 5. Problem and solution: ** describes a problem and presents one or more solutions to that problem.