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Types of Non-Fiction Text Structures
Cause and Effect Compare and Contrast Problem and Solution Sequence Description Main Idea and Detail |
Description Structure:
Purpose: to tell what something is, to present an item’s attributes or properties, to show what an item or place is like
* Helps us visualize and understand a topic * Descriptive adjectives help us visualize the topic *Explains the characteristics of the subject or topic and uses details Questions to ask as we read: What is being described? How does the author organize the description? Which detail is the most important? How do all of the details fit together? Signal Words: for example, characteristics are, for instance, to begin with, also, in fact, in addition, as to illustrate, most important, another, furthermore, in front, beside, near, about, is, are, has, have, does |
Chronological or Sequential Structure:
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Signal Words:
first, next, later, after, before, following, then, in addition to, followed by, and finally Practice:
Write a short how-to, directions, or a recipe using the signal words to the left. If you are describing the order in which something happens or needs to be done, you have written a chronological non-fiction text!
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Main Idea and Detail Structure:
Main Idea: the most important idea in an article or paragraph.
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Main idea and detail examples Doc:
https://docs.google.com/a/hershey.k12.pa.us/document/d/1U_Ax6s_v8B42pA5DFFSVgbt9zR-KH-CyQ1Ibeb2bPOQ/edit?usp=sharing How do I find the main idea?
See the slides below for more information on finding the main idea and supporting details! Examples are included!
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Problem and Solution Text Structure:
When do we use problem and solution?
Problem and solution is different from cause and effect because there is a resolution or a fix to a problem. Cause and effect can be any action and reaction. Problem and solution starts with something that needs to change,and then proposes a solution or "fix".
Signal Questions:
What is the problem?
Why is this a problem?
Is anything being done to try to solve the problem?
What can be done to solve the problem?
Signal Words:
Question is...
Dilemma is...
Puzzle is...
To solve this...
One answer is...
One reason for the problem is...
What is the problem?
Why is this a problem?
Is anything being done to try to solve the problem?
What can be done to solve the problem?
Signal Words:
Question is...
Dilemma is...
Puzzle is...
To solve this...
One answer is...
One reason for the problem is...
Versus
Problem and Solution:
Goose bumps make me shiver, but they disappear as soon as I cover up with a jacket or sweater. |
Cause and Effect:
Goose bumps make me shiver. When the temperature drops below 45 degrees, my skin crinkles into goose bumps. |
Compare and Contrast Text Structure:
• Shows how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different
Signal Questions: What things are being compared? In what ways are they alike? In what ways are they different? •Signal Words: Same as, Similar, Alike, As well as, Not only…but also, Both, Instead of, Either…or, On the other hand, Different from, As opposed to |
What can you use Compare and Contrast to examine?http://parks.sandi.net/pages/sitp/Graphic%20Organizers%20PPT%20+%20PDF/3rd_Narrative_Descriptive_Expository/SITP%20Compare_Contrast%20Diagrams/EXAMPLE1_Compare_Contrast.pdf
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