Summary
Highlights
Informational and non-fiction texts need to be structurally sound. There are five main text structures that help organize information. Understanding these structures makes texts less complex.
The 'Description' text structure describes a topic and its characteristics. Keywords include "such as" and "for example," along with details and adjectives. An example given is the Leaning Tower of Pisa, describing its location, height, and tilt.
The 'Sequence' text structure presents events from the past to the most recent. It often includes dates and words like "next," "then," "before," "first," "second," and "third." The construction history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is used as an example, detailing when building started, stopped, and resumed.
The 'Cause and Effect' text structure explains what happened and why. Keywords include "because," "since," "if then," and "due to." The leaning of the Tower of Pisa is explained as an effect of soft soil and increased weight from additional floors.
The 'Problem and Solution' text structure introduces a problem and then explains how it was solved. Keywords include "question," "problem," "solution," and "solve." The problem of the Leaning Tower's increasing tilt and the solution of removing earth and adding weights to stabilize it are discussed.
The 'Compare and Contrast' text structure explains how things are similar and different. This is demonstrated by comparing the Leaning Tower of Pisa's construction disruption with that of the Washington Monument. It also highlights their different purposes: a bell tower versus honoring a Founding Father.