Text Structure/Organizational
Pattern Notes
Use the following notes to fill in the text boxes on the following pages.
Read each note carefully as you learn about each type of
organizational pattern. (The fill in the blank notes begin on slide 4, this will be
your first daily grade for the 3rd nine weeks.Read the directions on slide 4.)
_______________________________________________________
What is a text structure?
• A “structure” is a building or framework
• “Text structure” refers to how a piece of text is built or organized.
• Each paragraph in a text may have a different text structure
Why is text structure important?
• Writers use different structures to build their ideas
• Each text structure communicates ideas in a different way
• Understanding what text structure a author is using can help the
reader to better understand the text.
Chronological- Text written in order of time
Chrono = time
Stories are told chronologically
• Chronological order
• Signal words that show chronological are first, next, later,
then, and finally or phrases that show passage of time.
Sequence / Order of Importance- Steps described in the
order they occur.
• You will often see sequence in directions:
Have you ever made macaroni and cheese? It’s simple!
First, boil some water and make some macaroni. Then,
make your cheese sauce. After the cheese sauce is ready,
mix it with the macaroni. Bake the entire thing in the oven.
Finally, it’s time to eat!
• Notice that sequence has some of the same key words as
Chronological order.
• Be careful…
• Sequence does not take place at any specific point in
time.
• Readers often confuse this with Chronological Order, but
there is a difference. Pay attention to whether or not you can pin
point an actual time period (day, night, morning, afternoon) to see
if it’s Chronological.
Cause and Effect-
Or explains the effects of something.
Cause and Effect Signal Words
• Causes and effects key words are because, effect, as a
result, consequently, as a result, so, therefore
Problem and Solution- Author states a problem and
solution(s).
Similar to cause and effect.
Problem Solution Key Words
• Synonyms for problem include difficulty, struggle,
uncertainty, worry, threat, and trouble
• Synonyms for solution include possibility, hope, bright
spot, answer, and future
Compare and Contrast- Shows what’s in common and
what’s different
Compare = find similarities Contrast = find differences
• To organize details from a paragraph in compare and
contrast, use a Venn diagram
• Signal words for compare and contrast are Same as, similar,
both, on the other hand, different from, instead of
Description- In this kind of text, the author offers a main idea
statement, and then supports that statement with several
details, characteristics or examples.
Signal words may include:
• One reason, another reason, an example, characteristics,
to illustrate and for example
Directions: Use the attached Text Structure (also known as
Organizational Patterns) notes and fill in the blank text boxes for the
statements below. Look at the notes carefully to identify what word(s) are
missing in each of the statements and type your responses in the text box
that has been provided for each number..
1. A “structure” is a _______ or __________ .
Type the missing words in this box:
Example: building, framework
2. ______ ________ refers to how a piece of
_________ is built or __________.
Type the missing words below in this box:
3. Understanding what text structure an _________ is
using can _______ the __________ to better
understand the text.
Type the missing words in this box:
Different Types of Organizational Patterns:
4. Chronological = Time
_______________ written in __________ of time.
Type the missing words in this box:
5. Cause and Effect- or _____________ the ___________ of
something
____________________ .
Type the missing words in this box:
6. Problem and Solution - Author ________ a
____________ and solution(s).
Type the missing words in this box:
7. Compare and ___________- shows what’s in ____________
and what’s ___________ .
Compare = find similarities Contrast = find differences
Type the missing words in this box:
8. Description- In this kind of text, the _____________ offers a
main __________ statement, and then ___________ that
statement with several _____________, characteristics or
___________________.
Type the missing words in this box:
9. Sequence / Order of _____________- Steps described in the
order they __________ occur.
Type the missing words in this box:
You will often see sequence in ___________________:
Type the missing word in this box:
Ex: Have you ever made macaroni and cheese? It’s simple!
First, boil some water and make some macaroni. Then, make
your cheese sauce. After the cheese sauce is ready, mix it with
the macaroni. Bake the entire thing in the oven. Finally, it’s time
to eat!
******** BE VERY CAREFUL WITH SEQUENCE, IT IS OFTEN
CONFUSED WITH CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.******** The
biggest difference between the two is that Sequence does not
take ______________ at any specific _______ ____ ______.
Type the missing words in this box:
