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Monday, October 2, 2017

Five Elements of Text Structures By Suzy Leopold

In my college level course at Lincoln Land Community College we discuss and evaluate text structures. Doing so supports the students to become proficient, strategic readers and writers. A variety of nonfiction picture books are used as mentor texts to study the five elements of text structures.

“When teachers combine picture book instruction with teaching text, 
students gain a better understanding of how texts are 
organized, strategies for recalling information, and approaches 
to use in their own writing.”

Credit:
Tracey S. Hodges, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education & Literacy, University of Southern Mississippi
Sharon D. Matthews, Clinical Assistant Professor of Literacy, Texas A & M University

Text structures are tools for readers and writers. 

Text structures are the way in which a reader organizes information in one’s mind while reading. This helps a reader to better understand the text and supports comprehension recall. While reading, thoughtful and  strategic readers make predictions and connections. Interactive readers are thinking and asking questions.

In our class, students ask, What is the author’s purpose for writing this piece?

A nemonic device is used to determine the text structure used and identify the author’s purpose.

P: Persuade
                                                       I: inform
E: Entertain

Text structures are useful to writers and readers.

Many writers consider a text structure as a road map for the reader. Using a specific text structure is an excellent tool for all writers. Selecting the just right text structure keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages.
Nonfiction Text Structure
Description 
Key Words 
Nonfiction Picture Book Suggestions
Cause and Effect
Shows the relationship
among events
because, as a result, therefore, since, so NURSE, SOLDIER, SPY: THE STORY OF SARAH EDMONDS, A CIVIL WAR HERO by Marissa Moss & John Hendrix
Compare and Contrast
Shows the ways in
which two or more
subjects are similar and different.
differs from, in contrast, alike, same as, on the other hand, either, both WHO WOULD WIN? WHALE VS. GIANT SQUID by Jerry Pallota & Rob Bolster
Descriptive
Gives many details
about a topic
for example, such as, like, in comparison to, in contrast to, first, second, last SUGAR CHANGED THE WORLD The Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science by Marc Aronson & Marina Budhos
Sequence
Presents details in time
order— from first to
last or sometimes from last to first.
first, next, not long after, while, at last, later FINDING WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE WORDL’S MOST FAMOUS BEAR by Lindsay Mattick & Sophie Blackall
Problem and Solution
Identifies a problem
and then proposes a
because, as a result, therefore, since, so  THE RIGHT WORD: ROGET AND HIS THESAURUS by Jen Bryan & Melisa Sweet

Credit: Picture Books Aren’t Just for Kids! Modeling Text Structures through Nonfiction Mentor Books by Tracey S. Hodges and Sharon D. Matthews

NURSE, SOLDIER, SPY:
THE STORY OF SARAH EDMONDS,
A CIVIL WAR HERO
WHO WOULD WIN? WHALE VS.
GIANT SQUID
SUGAR CHANGED THE WORLD: A STORY OF MAGIC, SPICE, SLAVERY,
FREEDOMAND SCIENCE
FINDING WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF
THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS BEAR
THE RIGHT WORD
ROGET & HIS THESAURUS





























































Understanding these five nonfiction text structures are mutually beneficial for both a reader and a writer. Studying text structures give readers and writers a deeper meaning. 

As we move on in our course work, my students’ the understanding of these complexities are applied to longer textbook readings, scholarly articles, and chapter books. The students' writing shows improvement as their writing benefits from this knowledge, too.

The element of text structure is important for all writers to consider. Writers who study how texts structures are constructed and why an author chose a specific structure supports a writer’s understanding of how to use text structures effectively and approaches to use in writing nonfiction stories. When rewriting and revising a manuscript consider how one structure may work better than another to tell the story. 

There are numerous text structures to consider. Hopefully, these five elements are helpful to your writing. Share in the comments other text structures that you find important.

19 comments:

  1. Hi Suzy, this is an excellent post for teachers and writers! the chart you created will be useful, too. I am in a morning fog and can't think of more structures, but another offshoot of Compare/Contrast would be bios w/subject as a child and subject as an adult. An example is TO THE STARS: THE FIRST OWMAN IN SPACE by Carmella Van Vlett.

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  2. Excuse the typo - that would be "WOMAN."

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    1. Your support is always appreciated, Kathy. The title TO THE STARS: THE FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE by Carmella Van Vlett is an great example.

      Happy reading and writing.

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  3. Great post, Suzy! Thanks for sharing this handy chart.

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  4. Great post Suzy. That chart is a keeper. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. And you are a keeper, Keila. Thank you for always being supportive of the GROG Blog.

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  5. Thank you, Suzy, for sharing the text structure chart and examples. I'm adding the chart to my toolbox.

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    1. Tools in our writing toolboxes are always useful to writers. Thank you, Cute Charlotte.

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  6. Great post! And it makes me think that placing a little more focus on nonfiction, along with structure analysis would benefit kids greatly. I've found Melissa Stewart's Celebrate Science blog posts to be quite instructive for this purpose. There are two books from your examples that I haven't read. I'll be checking them out! Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Melissa Stewart is always so encouraging about the importance of sharing nonfiction stories with students in the classroom. Thank you, Jilanne.

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  7. Excellent chart! I especially like the list of title examples. Thanks, Suzy!

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  8. Thanks Suzy. Loved your chart❤️

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  9. I love charts. They really help to focus on what is important. And the information is fantastic.

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    Replies
    1. Your thoughts are appreciated, David. Happy reading and writing.

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  10. Thank you for this great post!

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  11. It is my pleasure to share with you, Lori Ann, and our many GROG Blog followers.

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