🧩5 Ways to Organize a Text
⏱️Chronological / Sequence
Events told in time order — what happened first, next, and last.
Signal words: first, then, next, before, after, finally
🎯Cause & Effect
Shows why something happened and what resulted from it.
Signal words: because, so, since, as a result, leads to
⚖️Compare & Contrast
Shows how two things are alike and how they are different.
Signal words: alike, both, similarly, however, but, unlike
🧯Problem & Solution
Names an issue, then explains how to fix it.
Signal words: problem, issue, so that, solution, answer, fix
🖼️Description
Paints a vivid picture using sensory details — sight, sound, smell, touch.
Signal words: for example, looks like, sounds like, sensory words, vivid
🔍 How to spot the structure
1Read the headings — they hint at how ideas are grouped.
2Hunt for signal words that act like road signs.
3Ask: is it telling time order, why, alike/different, or a fix?
🚦Signal Words = Road Signs
🔑Key Terms
🧩Text Structure The way an author organizes information in a passage.
⏱️Chronological Organized in time order — first this, then that.
🎯Cause & Effect Shows what made something happen and what resulted.
⚖️Compare & Contrast Shows how two things are alike and different.
🧯Problem & Solution Presents an issue and how to solve it.
🖼️Description Paints a vivid picture using sensory details (sight, sound, smell, touch).
🚦Signal Words Words like "first," "because," or "similarly" that hint at structure.
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Remember: find the pattern first! Knowing how a text is organized helps you locate the facts faster.