English 9 / Unit 6: Reading Nonfiction
6.4 Text Structure
Notes
Text structure is how an author organizes information. Signal words help you spot it.
| Structure | Purpose | Signal words |
|---|---|---|
| Chronological | events in time order | first, then, in 1920, finally |
| Cause and effect | why something happens and its results | because, as a result, therefore |
| Compare and contrast | similarities and differences | similarly, however, unlike, both |
| Problem and solution | a problem and ways to fix it | the problem is, one solution |
| Description | details about a topic | for example, such as, features |
- Authors may combine structures in one text.
Practice
"Because the town's only factory closed, hundreds lost their jobs. As a result, many families moved away." The structure is:
"Because" and "as a result" signal causes and effects.
"Plastic straws pollute oceans. One solution is switching to paper or metal straws." The structure is:
It names a problem and offers a fix.
"Frogs have smooth, moist skin, while toads have dry, bumpy skin. Both lay eggs in water." The structure is:
"While" and "both" show differences and similarities.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 6 test.