text structure

About this
Resource:
Text Structure can be tricky! These
notebook charts help your students
look for signal words and phrases so
that they can identify the text
structure.

How to Use the Notebook

Charts:

• Glue them in students’ reading

notebook

• Use them for independent

practice, small group, homework,
and more!

• These are great to have on hand

for Text Structure Tuesday with
the ELA Morning Work!
Need more support with Text Structure?
Click any of the images below to learn more about the resource.

With the ELA Morning Work, students can consistently practice text
structure on Text Structure Tuesday.
©Jessica Meyer 2023 www.theliteracyloft.com
 Text Text Text
Structure Structure Structure
Description Description Description
The author describes The author describes The author describes
something by listing such as, most something by listing such as, most something by listing such as, most
characteristics, important, characteristics, important, characteristics, important,
features, & examples. for example features, & examples. for example features, & examples. for example

Chronological Order Chronological Order Chronological Order

Chronology Chronology Chronology
describes events in describes events in describes events in
the order they occur. the order they occur. the order they occur.
(sequential order) first, next, (sequential order) first, next, (sequential order) first, next,
during, finally during, finally during, finally

Compare & Contrast Compare & Contrast Compare & Contrast

The author explains The author explains The author explains
how two or more how two or more how two or more
things are alike or things are alike or things are alike or
different. like, both, unlike different. like, both, unlike different. like, both, unlike

Cause & Effect Cause & Effect Cause & Effect

The author The author The author
connects events connects events connects events
that happen that happen that happen
because, as a because, as a because, as a
(cause) & why they result, if…then (cause) & why they result, if…then (cause) & why they result, if…then
happen (effect). happen (effect). happen (effect).

Problem & Solution Problem & Solution Problem & Solution

The author The author The author
describes a describes a describes a
problem and problem and problem and
then its problem, solution, then its problem, solution, then its problem, solution,
solution challenge, issue solution challenge, issue solution challenge, issue

©Jessica Meyer 2023 www.theliteracyloft.com ©Jessica Meyer 2023 www.theliteracyloft.com ©Jessica Meyer 2023 www.theliteracyloft.com
description description
The author explains a topic, idea, person, place, or
thing by listing characteristics, features, and
The author explains a topic, idea, person, place, or
thing by listing characteristics, features, and
examples. Focus is on one thing and topic (or examples. Focus is on one thing and topic (or
synonyms) is repeated throughout the text. synonyms) is repeated throughout the text.

Signal Words Signal Words

• For example • For example
• Such as • Such as
• Looks like • Looks like
• Consists of • Consists of
• Most important • Most important
• Directions • Directions
• For instance • For instance
• Characteristics are • Characteristics are
• On (date) • On (date)
• At (time) • While • At (time) • While
• At the same time • Meanwhile • At the same time • Meanwhile

For Example: For Example:

©Jessica Meyer 2023 www.theliteracyloft.com

On an early fall misty morning, the orb-web spider spins its On an early fall misty morning, the orb-web spider spins its
web. "Orb" means a ring or circle, which describes the web's web. "Orb" means a ring or circle, which describes the web's
shape. The fine silk threads are coated with sticky goo to shape. The fine silk threads are coated with sticky goo to
snare insect food. Dewdrops on the web make it easier for snare insect food. Dewdrops on the web make it easier for
people to see the web. people to see the web.
 sequence
Chronological/Time Order
sequence
Chronological/Time Order
The author lists items or events in numerical or The author lists items or events in numerical or
chronological order. Sequence describes the chronological order. Sequence describes the
order of events or how to do or make something. order of events or how to do or make something.

Signal Words Signal Words

• First, • First,
• Second, • Second,
• Third 1st 2nd 3rd • Third 1st 2nd 3rd
• Next • Next
• then • then
• after • after
• Finally • Finally
• Before, prior to • In the end • Before, prior to
• Not long after • Not long after • In the end
• After that
• Simultaneously • Simultaneously • After that
• Following
• At last • At last • Following

For Example: For Example:

©Jessica Meyer 2023 www.theliteracyloft.com

In 1804, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an In 1804, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an
expedition called The Corps of Discovery. They arrived at the expedition called The Corps of Discovery. They arrived at the
Knife River Villages. Then, they built Fort Mandan. In the Knife River Villages. Then, they built Fort Mandan. In the
spring, Charbonneau and Sacagawea joined their crew as a spring, Charbonneau and Sacagawea joined their crew as a
guide and interpreter. During the expedition, Sacagawea guide and interpreter. During the expedition, Sacagawea
played a vital role in the success of their journey. played a vital role in the success of their journey.
 compare and compare and
contrast
Alike and Different
contrast
Alike and Different
The author explains how two or more The author explains how two or more
things are alike or different. things are alike or different.

Signal Words Signal Words

• Differs from • Differs from
• Similar to • Similar to
• In contrast • In contrast
• Alike • Alike
• Same as • Same as
• As well as • As well as
• However • However
• Both • Both Also look for
Also look for
• Either , or -est words: • Either , or -est words:
• Not only, but also best, fewest, • Not only, but also best, fewest,
tallest, etc. • Yet, although, but tallest, etc.
• Yet, although, but

For Example: For Example:

©Jessica Meyer 2023 www.theliteracyloft.com

How can you tell the difference between crocodiles, How can you tell the difference between crocodiles,
alligators, and caimans? One easy-to-see difference is that alligators, and caimans? One easy-to-see difference is that
alligators and caimans have a wide, rounded snout that alligators and caimans have a wide, rounded snout that
looks like the letter U, shown here, top. Crocodiles usually looks like the letter U, shown here, top. Crocodiles usually
have a much more pointed snout that looks like the handle have a much more pointed snout that looks like the handle
of a baseball bat. of a baseball bat.
Alligators and Crocodiles by Seymour Simon Alligators and Crocodiles by Seymour Simon
cause effect cause effect
The author lists one or more causes or
The author lists one or more causes or
events and the results that occur. events and the results that occur.

Signal Words Signal Words

• Caused by • Caused by
• Result • Result
• Outcome • Outcome
• Impact • Impact
• So.. • So..
• In order to • In order to
• Brought about by • Brought about by
• Effects of • Effects of
• Therefore • Therefore
• Because of • Because of
• Influenced by • Influenced by
• Leads or leads to… • Leads or leads to…

For Example: For Example:

Hurricanes develop in tropical waters. They feed on Hurricanes develop in tropical waters. They feed on
moist, warm air. The air pressure is constantly changing. moist, warm air. The air pressure is constantly changing.
Warm, moist air will flow into an area with low pressure. Warm, moist air will flow into an area with low pressure.
The air rises and the moisture condenses and results into The air rises and the moisture condenses and results into
clouds. Then, more warm air is drawn over the surface of clouds. Then, more warm air is drawn over the surface of
the ocean. The air continues to spiral upwards. As a the ocean. The air continues to spiral upwards. As a
result, clusters of thunderstorms form. result, clusters of thunderstorms form.

©Jessica Meyer 2023 www.theliteracyloft.com

 problem problem
solution
The author states a problem and lists one or
solution
The author states a problem and lists one or
more possible solutions to the problem and may more possible solutions to the problem and may
include the pros and cons for the solutions. include the pros and cons for the solutions.

Signal Words Signal Words

• Since • Since
• This led to • This led to
• Question Problem Solution • Question Problem Solution
• Answer • Answer
• Because • Because
• This led to, so that… • This led to, so that…
• One possible solution • One possible solution
• The main difficulty is… • Therefore, • The main difficulty is… • Therefore,
• Problem is… • One challenge… • Problem is… • One challenge…
• Dilemma is… • This • Dilemma is… • This
• Puzzle is… • If…then… • Puzzle is… • If…then…
• Solved • Thus… • Solved • Thus…

For Example: For Example:

Like many other wild animals, crocodilians are chased away Like many other wild animals, crocodilians are chased away
by people building houses, roads, bridges, and dams. But by people building houses, roads, bridges, and dams. But
with proper understanding of what to do and a willingness to with proper understanding of what to do and a willingness to
share the natural resources of the land, people of goodwill share the natural resources of the land, people of goodwill
can prevent crocodilians from becoming as extinct as the can prevent crocodilians from becoming as extinct as the
dinosaurs. dinosaurs.
©Jessica Meyer 2023 www.theliteracyloft.com
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