text structure

chronological

• Does it sound like a story?
• Is it telling how something specific happened over time?
• Key Words: First, next, then...; Once upon a time...

Cause & Effect

• Does it explain the result of something?
• Does it explain how one thing caused another?
• Key Words: If...then...; instigate, result

Compare & contrast

• Does it explain how two things are similar?
• Does it explain how two things are different?
• Key Words: similar, different, alike, distinct  

Problem & solution

• Does it introduce a problem?
• Does it offer solutions to fix the problem?
• Key Words: problem, dilemma, solution, fix 

sequential/process

• Does it explain how to do something?
• Does it give general directions?
• Key Words: First, second, third...; steps

Spatial/descriptive

• Does it describe one thing?
• Does it use many sensory details?
• Key Words: looks, sounds, smells, tastes, feels like...