Reading Informational Texts:Patterns of Organization

Informational Texts:Patterns of Organization

Reading any type of writing is easier once you recognize how it is organized.

Several common patterns of organization include:

o Main Idea and Supporting Detailso Chronological Ordero Cause-Effecto Compare/Contrasto Problem-Solution

Informational Texts

Main Idea and Supporting Details

Main Idea and Supporting Details

Main Idea -

The most important idea about a topic that a particular text or paragraph conveys.

Supporting Details –

Words, phrases, or sentences that tell more about the main idea.

Remember the Main Idea House?

A paragraph is a group of sentences related to one main idea.The main idea is like the roof of a house.The roof of the house is made up of two parts: the word or phrase that the paragraph discusses; the message (what the author wants you to know about that word or phrase).

Create a main idea house for the three paragraphs on page R8.

Don’t forget that the roof must be supported (proven, exemplified, described, etc.) with supporting details.

Chronological Order

The arrangement of events in the order in which they

happen.

Chronological Order

Look for words that signal this arrangement:BeforeAfterNextLaterThe next dayThat eveningFirst AfterwardThenDuringFinally

Chronological Order

Look for words and phrases that identify times, such as “in a year,” “three hours earlier,” “in 202 B.C.,” or “the next day.”

Read “A Butterfly Gets Its Wings,” p. R9, and answer the questions on page R10.

Cause-Effect Organization

A pattern of organization that shows causal relationships between events, ideas, and

trends.

Cause

Effect Effect Effect

Effect

Cause Cause Cause

Cause-Effect

BecauseSinceHad the effect ofLed toAs a resultResulted inFor that reasonDue toThereforeIf … thenConsequently

Cause-Effect Organization

Read “How a Tsunani Forms,” pp. R10-R11, and answer the questions.

Compare-and-Contrast Organization

A pattern of organization that provides a way to look at

similarities and differences in two or more subject.

Compare-and-Contrast

Compare-and-Contrast

Use a graphic organizer, such as a Venn diagram, to record points of comparison and similarities or differences.

Compare-and-Contrast

Look for words and phrases that signal this type of organization:LikeSimilarlyBothAllEveryAlsoIn the same wayUnlikeButOn the other handMoreLessIn contrastHowever

Compare-and-Contrast

POINT-BY-POINT ORGANIZATION: The writer discusses one point of comparison for both subjects, then goes on to the next point.SUBJECT-BY-SUBJECT ORGANIZATION: The writer covers all points of comparison for one subject and then all points of comparison for the next subject.

Subject One Subject Two

Point 1

Point 2

Point3

Compare-and-Contrast

Read “Living in Outer Space,” R11-R12, and answer the

questions that follow.

Problem-Solution Order

A pattern of organization in which a problem is stated and analyzed,

and then one or more solutions are proposed and examined.

Prolem-Solution Order

Look for an explanation of the problem in the first or second paragraph.Look for words, such as problem and reason, that may signal an explanation of the problem.To find the solution, ask: What suggestion does the writer offer to solve the problem?Look for words, such as propose, conclude, and answer, that may signal a solution.

Problem-Solution Order

Read the model on page R13 and answer the questions that

follow.