Common nonfiction text structures (cause/effect, compare/contrast, sequence, problem/solution) and their signal words. Front: the structure type. Back: its definition and typical signal words.
30 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- Cause and effect text structure
Show answer
An organization pattern that shows why something happened (the cause) and what happened as a result (the effect). Signal words: because, since, as a result, caused, led to, due to, so- What is a cause?
Show answer
The reason why something happened; the event or action that makes something else occur- What is an effect?
Show answer
The result or consequence; what happens because of the cause- Cause and effect signal words
Show answer
Because, since, as a result, caused, led to, due to, so that, effect, reason- Causal chain
Show answer
When one effect becomes the cause of another effect, creating a series of connected events- Example of cause and effect
Show answer
Because it rained (cause), the outdoor game was canceled (effect)- Compare and contrast text structure
Show answer
An organization pattern that shows how two things are alike (compare) and different (contrast). Signal words: like, both, however, but, unlike, same, different, although- What does compare mean?
Show answer
To show the ways that two or more things are similar or alike- What does contrast mean?
Show answer
To show the ways that two or more things are different or unlike each other- Signal words for comparing
Show answer
Like, also, both, similarly, alike, same, in the same way, just as, resembles- Signal words for contrasting
Show answer
But, however, yet, on the other hand, unlike, different, although, while, instead, in contrast- Venn diagram and compare/contrast
Show answer
A Venn diagram uses overlapping circles to show similarities (middle) and differences (outside areas) between two things- Sequence text structure
Show answer
An organization pattern that presents events or steps in the order they happen. Signal words: first, second, next, then, after, before, finally, last, during- Chronological order
Show answer
A sequence pattern that arranges events in the exact order they actually happened in time- Step-by-step sequence
Show answer
A sequence pattern that lists the specific steps needed to complete a task or make something, in the correct order
FlashKeepers