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.

Reasons To Write ~By Suzy Leopold

All authors write for a reason. The reason a writer writes is called an author's purpose. The reason, the intent or why a writer writes is important to know and to understand.

As a writer, why do you write stories? What is your author's purpose for writing stories for kids?

Here are four examples of an author's purpose:

• To entertain, or tell a story that is either made-up or from real life.
• To instruct, or explain how to do something.
• To inform, or give information about someone or something.
• To persuade, or try to get a reader to do something or buy something, or believe something.

Pick a Picture,
Write a Story
By Kristen Mc Curry

There are additional reasons why writers write.

Do you know that there are physical and mental benefits of writing? 

Writing leads to better thinking, learning and communication.

Neuroscience and cognitive science research and show evidence that correlates creativity with academic, social, and emotional intelligence. The practice of writing for just 15 to 20 minutes, three to five times a week, enhances the brain’s intake, processing, and retrieving of information.

As an educator, I am aware of the importance of writing in the classroom and the value of writing across the curriculum through all content area subjects. Embedding writing throughout the curriculum, promotes the brain's attentive focus, boosts long-term memory, illuminates patterns, and gives the brain time for reflection.

Teachers who encourage writing in their classrooms build better communication and confidence in students. Students who write increase their vocabulary and develop the logical brain functions required for success in school.

Writing makes you happier and leads to increased gratitude.

As a writer, I understand the importance of writing as a “thinking exercise”. Just like daily physical exercise is significant to one’s health, writing keeps your mind sharp and “in shape”. Additionally, writing makes a better writer.

Writing when you wake up is a perfect way to begin your day. It’s like a wake-up call for your brain. Instead of hitting the ground running, consider writing while you’re sipping a cup of coffee or tea. Warm-up to the day by scribing your thoughts and jotting down your blessings as you rev up your brain cells that will lead to a positive day and increased gratitude.

Most of us have busy non-stop schedules with a fair amount of stress. Many writers prefer self-exploration and reflection, jotting down thoughts in a journal at the day’s end. Writing is linked to improved mood and better well being. Writing or even blogging can alleviate anxiety and provide long-term improvements in mood, decrease in stress levels and depressive symptoms. Writing closes our “mental tabs” that will equal a good night’s sleep. 

Listed below are personal reasons to write:

Warren Buffet: 

A man who reads and thinks a whole lot, describes writing as "a key way of refining my thoughts."

        Anne Frank: 

       “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn."

                             

Bill Gates: 

"Writing is a way to sit down and re-evaluate my thoughts from the 

day."

Stephen King: 

“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. 

Simple as that.” 

Madeleine L’Engle:

“I have advice for people who want to write. I don't care whether they're 5 or 

500. There are three things that are important: First, if you want to write, you 

need to keep an honest, unpublishable journal that nobody reads, nobody but 

you. Where you just put down what you think about life, what you think about 

things, what you think is fair and what you think is unfair. And second, you need 

to read. You can't be a writer if you're not a reader. It's the great writers who 

teach us how to write. The third thing is to write. Just write a little bit every 

day. Even if it's for only half an hour — write, write, write.”

Beatrix Potter: 

“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a

story. You never quite know where they'll take you.” 

What is your author's purpose for writing?

The rewards of writing are many.

Write something worth reading or do something worth writing. 

As a writer, every story matters to the person living it, and our job is to tell important stories.

Writers do it write right.