Instructional unit developed for EDET722 about informational text. The audience is 5th and 6th graders.

1. Created by: Diane Lawson
lawsondm@email.sc.edu
EDET 722-J61
December 4, 2016
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Purpose of this unit
When you have completed this unit you will be able to :
1. Recognize the different text structures in examples of
informational texts (compare/contrast, description, sequence,
problem/solution, cause/effect)
2. Recognize text structure key/signal words in examples of
informational texts (for example, first, next, last, problem, solution,
same as, different, because...)
3. Analyze which type of text structure is used in expository
writing (compare/contrast, description, sequence, problem/solution,
cause/effect)

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What you need to know
Before beginning this unit you will need to know why
informational text is written:
Informational text is written to give the reader
information about a topic or an event.
You will also need to understand how to use a graphic
organizer:
Graphic Organizers are a useful way to organize
information in visual format.
This unit will take approximately 20 minutes to complete

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How you will learn in this unit
Each section of this unit will have the following components:
Instructional Information: Information will be given about the
type of text structure, the key or signal words that help you
identify the text structure, and why an author uses the type of
text structure.
Examples: An example of each text structure will be provided and
key or signal words will be highlighted.
Practice:You will have the opportunity to practice what you have
learned by answering a couple of questions.

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InformationalText Structures
Compare/Contrast
Topic 1
characteristic
Similarities
between topic
1 & topic 2
Topic 2
characteristic
Topic
description
description
descriptiondescription
description
First Next Then Last
Problem Solution
• Effect
• EffectCause
• Effect
• EffectCause
Sequence
Description
There are five different types of
InformationalText Structures.We will
look at an example paragraph, the key
words associated with the type of
structure, and a graphic organizer that
will show how the information in the
paragraph can be organized visually.

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Compare/ContrastText Structure
Compare/Contrast text structure:
-Authors show the similarities and differences
between two topics
-Key or SignalWords: Also, Both, Same as,
Difference, In Contrast, Alike, Unlike, On the Other
Hand, Similar
- Authors use a compare/contrast text structure because
they want the reader to understand the importance of
those similarities and differences.

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Compare/ContrastText Structure
Do you enjoy eating pizza? Many people rank pizza as their
favorite meal.There are many ways people like to eat their
pizza. Most pizzas are similar because they include a crust,
tomato sauce, and cheese. Some people only want cheese
on top of their pizza. On the other hand, some people like
everything on top of their pizza like pepperoni, sausage,
mushrooms or black olives.That is the best part of having
pizza, you can order it just the way you like it.
Let’s get started with an example compare/contrast paragraph

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Compare/ContrastText Structure
Do you enjoy eating pizza? Many people rank pizza as
their favorite meal.There are many ways people like to
eat their pizza. Most pizzas are similar because they
include a crust, tomato sauce, and cheese. Some people
only want cheese on top of their pizza. On the other
hand, some people like everything on top of their pizza
like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, or black olives .
That is the best part of having pizza, you can order it just
the way you like it.
This paragraph shows the similarities and differences between different types of pizzas.
Some of the key or signal words that help us recognize this text structure are present in
this paragraph. Hover over the underlined words to see other example key/signal words.

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Compare/ContrastText Structure
Do you enjoy eating pizza? Many people rank pizza as their favorite meal.There
are many ways people like to eat their pizza. Most pizzas are similar because
they include a crust, tomato sauce, and cheese. Some people only want cheese
on top of their pizza. On the other hand some people like everything on top of
their pizza like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms or black olives.That is the best
part of having pizza, you can order it just the way you like it.
Compare/Contrast
Difference
Only cheese on top of the
pizza
Similarities
Both have a crust, tomato
sauce and cheese
Difference
Pepperoni, sausage,
mushrooms, or black olives on
top of the pizza
This paragraph shows the similarities and differences between different types of pizzas.
Now we can fill in our graphic organizer to see the similarities and differences in a visual
format.To do this we will take the similarities and put them in the center part of the
graphic organizer.Then take the differences and put them on each side of the graphic
organizer.

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Practice
What is the correct definition of the compare/contrast text structure?
1. Looks at the cause and effect relationship of a topic
2. Looks at the similarities and differences between two topics
3. Looks at the description of a topic
4. Looks at the problem and solution relationship of a topic
5. Looks at the sequence of events related to a topic

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Practice
Which of the following is an example of a Key or
Signal word for compare/contrast text structure?
1.Because
2.On the other hand
3.Finally

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DescriptionText Structure
Description text structure:
-Looks at the description of the topic
-Key or SignalWords: Adjectives, For example,
specifically, an example is
- Authors use a description text structure to help the
reader understand all characteristics of the topic

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DescriptionText Structure
What is your favorite food? Pizza is ranked among the
favorite food of many people.When you order a pizza you can
get it just the way you like it! The crust can be thick or thin or in-
between.The sauce is a tomato sauce that is put right on top of
the crust. Creamy mozzarella cheese is placed on top of the
tomato sauce.The toppings are where you can personalize your
pizza. For example, you can choose pepperoni, sausage, or any
type of meat, onions, peppers, mushrooms or any type of
vegetable you like.The best part of pizza is deciding what you
are in the mood for today!
Let’s move on to an example description paragraph

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This paragraph shows a description of pizza. Some of the key or signal words that help us
recognize this text structure are present in this paragraph. Hover over the underlined words
to see other example key/signal words.
What is your favorite food? Pizza is ranked among the
favorite food of many people.When you order a pizza you can
get it just the way you like it! The crust can be thick or thin or in-
between.The sauce is a tomato sauce that is put right on top of
the crust. Creamy mozzarella cheese is placed on top of the
tomato sauce.The toppings are where you can personalize your
pizza. For example, you can choose pepperoni, sausage, or any
type of meat, onions, peppers, mushrooms or any type of
vegetable you like.The best part of pizza is deciding what you
are in the mood for today!
DescriptionText Structure

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DescriptionText Structure
What is your favorite food? Pizza is ranked among the favorite food of many
people.When you order a pizza you can get it just the way you like it! The crust can
be thick or thin or in-between.The sauce is a tomato sauce that is put right on top
of the crust. Creamy mozzarella cheese is placed on top of the tomato sauce.The
toppings are where you can personalize your pizza. For example, you can choose
pepperoni, sausage, or any type of meat, onions, peppers, mushrooms or any type
of vegetable you like.The best part of pizza is deciding what you are in the mood
for today! This paragraph shows the
characteristics of pizza. Now
we can fill in our graphic
organizer to see the
characteristics in a visual
format.To do this we will put
the topic in the center part of
the graphic organizer.Then
take characteristics and put
one in each outer circle.

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Practice
What is the correct definition of the description text structure?
1. Looks at the cause and effect relationship of a topic
2. Looks at the similarities and differences between two topics
3. Looks at the description of a topic
4. Looks at the problem and solution relationship of a topic
5. Looks at the sequence of events related to a topic

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Practice
Which of the following is an example of a Key or
Signal word for description text structure?
1. Similar
2. For example
3. Then

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SequenceText Structure
Sequence text structure:
-Looks at the sequence of the procedure or sequence of
an event
-Key or SignalWords: Before, First, Next,Then, During,
After, Last, In the End, Finally
- Authors use a sequence text structure to help the
reader understand steps in a procedure or chronological
order of an event

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SequenceText Structure
Making your own pizza can be a fun activity!
First, you need a crust.You can have a thin crust or
thick crust. Next, you will need to spread some
tomato sauce on top of the crust.Then, you need to
scatter some cheese on top of the tomato sauce.
Finally, you will add whatever toppings you are in
the mood for and put the pizza in the oven to bake.
Let’s look at an example of a sequence paragraph

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This paragraph shows the sequence of steps for making your own pizza. Some of the key or
signal words that help us recognize this text structure are present in this paragraph. Hover
over the underlined words to see other example key/signal words.
Making your own pizza can be a fun activity!
First, you need a crust.You can have a thin crust or
thick crust. Next, you will need to spread some
tomato sauce on top of the crust.Then, you need to
scatter some cheese on top of the tomato sauce.
Finally, you will add whatever toppings you are in
the mood for and put the pizza in the oven to bake.
SequenceText Structure

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SequenceText Structure
Making your own pizza can be a fun activity! First, you need a
crust.You can have a thin crust or thick crust. Next, you will need to
spread some tomato sauce on top of the crust.Then, you need to
scatter some cheese on top of the tomato sauce. Finally, you will add
whatever toppings you are in the mood for and put the pizza in the
oven to bake.
This paragraph shows the sequence of steps for making a pizza. Now we can
fill in our graphic organizer to see the sequence in a visual format.To do this we
will put the first step in the first box of the graphic organizer.Then take each
step and put them in the next box until all of the steps have been put in order.

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Practice
What is the correct definition of the sequence text structure?
1. Looks at the cause and effect relationship of a topic
2. Looks at the similarities and differences between two topics
3. Looks at the description of a topic
4. Looks at the problem and solution relationship of a topic
5. Looks at the sequence of events related to a topic

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Practice
Which of the following is an example of a Key or
Signal word for sequence text structure?
1. In contrast
2. Finally
3. Effect

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Problem/SolutionText Structure
Problem/Solution text structure:
-Looks at a problem and solution or possible solutions of
the topic
-Key or SignalWords: Because of, Problem, Issue, Since,
As a result, Due to, Solution
- Authors use a problem/solution text structure to tell
about a problem and present solutions

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Problem/SolutionText Structure
When you have had a long day and you do not want to
cook dinner what should you do? After I get home from a
long day at work my motivation for preparing dinner is low.
This is definitely a problem! I am too tired to spend a long
amount of time cooking dinner for my family but I still need
to provide them with some dinner.That is when I call up the
pizza shop and order a pizza with all of our favorite
toppings.They will even bring it straight to my front door.
Another solution is preparing a frozen pizza, they are very
quick and easy to cook.
Let’s move on with an example problem/solution paragraph

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This paragraph shows the problem of someone being tired after a long day of work and the
possible solution of ordering a pizza or making a frozen pizza to solve the problem. Some of
the key or signal words that help us recognize this text structure are present in this
paragraph. Hover over the underlined words to see other example key/signal words.
Problem/SolutionText Structure
When you have had a long day and you do not want to cook
dinner what should you do? After I get home from a long day at
work my motivation for preparing dinner is low.This is definitely
a problem! I am too tired to spend a long amount of time
cooking dinner for my family but I still need to provide them
with some dinner. As a result I call up the pizza shop and order a
pizza with all of our favorite toppings.They will even bring it
straight to my front door. Another solution is preparing a frozen
pizza, they are very quick and easy to cook.

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Problem/SolutionText Structure
When you have had a long day and you do not want to cook dinner
what should you do? After I get home from a long day at work my
motivation for preparing dinner is low.This is definitely a problem! I am too
tired to spend a long amount of time cooking dinner for my family but I still
need to provide them with some dinner.That is when I call up the pizza
shop and order a pizza with all of our favorite toppings.They will even bring
it straight to my front door. Another solution is preparing a frozen pizza,
they are very quick and easy to cook.
This paragraph shows the problem associated with working a long day and not wanting
to make dinner and the solution of ordering a pizza from the pizza shop. Now we can fill
in our graphic organizer to see the problem and solution in a visual format.To do this we
will put the problem in the first box and our solution in the second box.

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Practice
What is the correct definition of the problem/solution text structure?
1. Looks at the cause and effect relationship of a topic
2. Looks at the similarities and differences between two topics
3. Looks at the description of a topic
4. Looks at the problem and solution relationship of a topic
5. Looks at the sequence of events related to a topic

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Practice
Which of the following is an example of a Key or
Signal word for problem/solution text structure?
1.For example
2.Solution
3.After

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Cause/EffectText Structure
Cause/Effect text structure:
-Looks at causes and effects of a topic or event
-Key or SignalWords: Due to, because, cause, effect, as
a result of, if, then, consequently, since
- Authors use a cause/effect text structure to show the
cause and effect relationship of a topic or event

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Cause/EffectText Structure
Everyone has to eat, can you agree? It is not always
easy to please everyone all of the time when preparing
meals for a busy family. Children these days have a
multitude of activities, consequently there is less time for
families to eat around a traditional family table. Families
are so busy they don’t always have time to prepare a home
cooked meal every night.The effect of families being busy is
an increase in eating out for dinner. Another effect is an
increase in the amount of money spent on food due to
families eating out more often.
Let’s move on with an example cause/effect paragraph

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This paragraph shows the relationship between families being too busy to cook at home, the
cause, and the effect of eating out at a restaurant for dinner more often. Some of the key or
signal words that help us recognize this text structure are present in this paragraph. Hover
over the underlined words to see other example key/signal words.
Cause/EffectText Structure
Everyone has to eat, can you agree? It is not always easy to
please everyone all of the time when preparing meals for a busy
family.Children these days have a many different activities,
this causes less time for families to eat around a traditional
family table. Families are so busy they don’t always have time
to prepare a home cooked meal every night.The effect of
families being busy is an increase in eating out for dinner.
Another effect is an increase in the amount of money spent on
food due to families eating out more often.

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Cause/EffectText Structure
Everyone has to eat, can you agree? It is not always easy to please
everyone all of the time when preparing meals for a busy family. Children
these days have a multitude of activities, consequently there is less time
for families to eat around a traditional family table. Families are so busy
they don’t always have time to prepare a home cooked meal every night.
The effect of families being busy is an increase in eating out for dinner.
Another effect is an increase in the amount of money spent on food due
to families eating out more often.
This paragraph shows the causes associated with
a busy family and the effects on the family. Now
we can fill in our graphic organizer to see the
cause and effect in a visual format.To do this we
will put the cause in the first box and our effects
in the second box. In this case we have multiple
causes and effects.

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Practice
What is the correct definition of the cause/effect text structure?
1. Looks at the cause and effect relationship of a topic
2. Looks at the similarities and differences between two topics
3. Looks at the description of a topic
4. Looks at the problem and solution relationship of a topic
5. Looks at the sequence of events related to a topic

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Practice
Which of the following is an example of a Key or
Signal word for cause/effect text structure?
1. Specifically
2. On the other hand
3. As a result of

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Conclusion
Great work! You now know:
-The different types of informational text structure
-The key or signal words associated with each type of
informational text structure
-How to recognize each type of informational text structure
-How to define each type of informational text structure
compare/contrast
description
sequence
problem/solution
cause/effect

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Review -
This chart
shows the type
of text
structure,
definition,
graphic
organizer, and
key/signal
words
Text
Structure
Definition Graphic Organizer Key/Signal
Words
Compare/
Contrast
Similarities
and
differences
are given
about a topic
Also, both,
same as,
difference, in
contrast,
alike, unlike,
on the other
hand, similar
Description Details are
given about a
topic to help
the reader
understand
all aspects of
the topic
Adjectives
used to
describe, for
example,
specifically
Sequence Events are
listed in
chronological
order, steps
of a
procedure
are listed in
order
Before, to
start, first,
next, during,
after, then,
finally, last, in
the end
Problem/
Solution
A problem is
introduced
and
described
and possible
solutions are
given
Because of,
issue,
problem,
since, as a
result,
due to,
solution
Cause/Effect Events are
described
(Cause) and
the events
that follow
are described
(Effects)
Due to,
because, so,
as a result of,
then,
consequently
, since, if

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Post-test
The final task of this unit is a post-test that will give you
the opportunity to show what you have learned.
When you are ready to take the post-test click on the link below
Post-test
Thank you and have a great day!