The document discusses a chapter 9 lecture by Ms. Collins about informational texts and their organizational patterns. It explains that informational texts are non-fiction pieces that provide facts, and lists some examples. It then describes three common organizational patterns for informational texts: description, which lists characteristics; sequence, which outlines steps or events in order; and problem and solution, which presents an issue and resolutions. Examples of each pattern are provided and analyzed. Graphic organizers for each pattern are also displayed and explained.

1. Chapter 9 Lecture
by Ms. Collins

2. Today we will be talking about
informational texts and how paying
attention to their organization can
help us as readers and writers.

3. Remember…
• Informational texts are pieces of non-fiction (or
true) writing that give us information or facts
about something.
– To see some examples of informational texts follow
the links below:
• http://kids.discovery.com/tell-me/earth/why-do-we-need-
trees
• http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/funscienc
e/ants-science-experiment/
• http://www.timeforkids.com/news/countdown-games/7006
• http://www.sikids.com/news/2012/04/03/kentucky-cruises-
past-kansas-for-national-title

4. One of the ways that authors help us
understand their writing is through
organizational text patterns.

5. What are organizational text patterns?
• Organizational text patterns are the different
ways that authors arrange the information in
their writing. There are lots of ways to
organize texts but we will only cover three in
this lesson.

6. Three ways to organize information texts:
1. Description
2. Sequence
3. Problem and Solution

7. Description
• In the description format, the author
describes a topic, idea, person, place, or thing
by listing characteristics, features, or
examples.
• Some words that will often appear in this
format are “for example” and “characteristics
are”.

8. Example Paragraph 1
At the end of the bed sleeps my
bestfriend, Tanda. She may have scraggly hair
and weigh only 30 pounds, but she always
knows how to make me smile. For
example, she stole a bowl of chili from me
once. But when I went to scold her, I couldn’t
stop laughing because her entire face was
orange!
Why is this a description paragraph?

9. Example Paragraph 1
At the end of the bed sleeps my bestfriend,
Tanda. She may have scraggly hair and weigh
only 30 pounds but she always knows how to
make me smile. For example, she stole a bowl
of chili from me once. But when I went to
scold her, I couldn’t stop laughing because her
entire face was orange!
Because it describes my dog, Tanda. It
also uses the clue words “for example”.

10. Sequence
• In the sequence format, the author lists items
or events in the order in which they occurred
or tells the steps to follow to do or make
something.
• Some words that will often appear in this
format are “first”, “second”, “third”, “next”,
“then”, “finally”, “eventually”, and “following
this”.

11. Example Paragraph 2
I love to eat boiled crawfish but it can be a
little intimidating the first time. Here are some
important steps to follow. First, remove the
head by twisting it away from the body.
Second, pinch the end of the tail and slowly
pull the meat out. Finally, enjoy the fruits of
your labor! I like mine with a little melted
butter.
Why is this a sequence paragraph?

12. Example Paragraph 2
I love to eat boiled crawfish but it can be a
little intimidating your first time. Here are
some important steps to follow. First, remove
the head by twisting it away from the body.
Second, pinch the end of the tail and slowly
pull the meat out. Finally, enjoy the fruits of
your labor! I like mine with a little melted
butter.
Because it tells you the steps to eating
boiled crawfish. It also uses the clue
words “first”, “second”, and “finally”.

13. Problem and Solution
• In the problem and solution format, the
author shares a problem and then lists one or
more solutions. A twist on this pattern is the
question-and-answer format in which the
author asks a question and then answers it.
• Some words that will often appear in this
format are “problem”, “dilemma”, “puzzle”,
“solved”, “questions”, and “answer”.

14. Example Paragraph 3
From the moment my mother’s eyes met
my Twix bar, I knew we had a problem.
Chocolate had always been her weakness. If I
had reacted more quickly I could have hidden
it. Now it was too late. I could cram the entire
thing in my mouth and face the following
shame. Or I could be a good daughter and
share. Sometime I hated having a conscience!
Why is this a problem and solution paragraph?

15. Example Paragraph 3
From the moment my mother’s eye met
my Twix bar, I knew we had a problem.
Chocolate had always been her weakness. If I
had reacted more quickly I could have hidden
it. Now it was too late. I could cram the entire
thing in my mouth and face the following
shame. Or I could be a good daughter and
share. Sometime I hated having a conscience!
Because it shares a problem and some possible
solutions. It also uses the clue word “problem”.

16. By using different graphic organizers,
we can break down each of the
example paragraphs you read.

17. When we write in the description format, we
use a graphic organizer like the one below.

18. This is the organizer I used to make
Example Paragraph 1 .

19. When we write in the sequence format we
use a graphic organizer like the one below.

20. This is the organizer I used to make
Example Paragraph 2.

21. When we write in the problem and
solution format, we use a graphic organizer
like the one below.

22. This is the organizer I used to make
Example Paragraph 3.

23. My Visuals
The Description Graphic Organizer was a variation
of the following Microsoft template…
http://office.microsoft.com/en-
us/templates/concept-map-primary-
TC101887901.aspx
All clipart images were taken from a Microsoft
images search…
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/?CTT=97

24. My Information
• My information was based on the following…
Tompkins, G. E. (2006). Literacy for the 21st
century a balanced approach. (Fourth ed. pp.
274-276). New Jersey: Pearson Education.