Thursday29th may

We are learning about informative text structures.

I can:

• distinguish between problem and solution

• identify and examine problem and solution examples in text 

• use the problem and solution in text to infer cause and effect

The problem and solution text structure is a format of writing where an author identifies a problem and then subsequently details solutions to the problem. Solutions can appear in the following ways:

• Future tense: "how it can be solved"

• Past tense: "how it was solved"

• Present tense: "how it is currently being solved"

Problem and solution structures can vary in complexity depending on how in-depth the material needs to be. Some structures include a simple problem and solution, while others include adding the significance of the problem and the rationale for why the solution would solve the problem. Sometimes a single problem and its solution can be seen in only one paragraph. At the same time, other structures have the problem exist in one paragraph, and the subsequent paragraphs contain the solutions. An example of how this text structure can be used effectively is seen throughout news article writing. 

While it might seem very easy to write and identify problems and solutions in text, it can be a little more complicated because several other types of structures look similar and serve similar functions. Please consider the following structures:

• Cause and Effect: Cause and effect text structure is the closest to problem and solution and often creates confusion. Cause and effect present two events and how one event is the cause of another. An example would be to discuss how burning fossil fuels adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere with the effect that the climate changes rapidly.

  • 1. • Cause and effect can also look like problem and solution in its presentation. A problem leads to an effect in all cases, so there is often a problem as the cause. If someone is only looking for a problem and not seeing its solution or a cause, the two structures can easily be confused.

• Compare and Contrast: Comparing and contrasting text structure has a similar base structure of two parts connected. Compare and contrast two things, like information or events, and find the differences and similarities with each other.

  • 1. • This type could look similar in structure to problem and solution because too different problems or two solutions of the same problem could be compared and contrasted.

• Chronological Order (Sequence/Instruction/Process): Chronological order is a text structure that puts information in the order it occurred. There are different types of chronological order and different ways the information can be presented. A timeline is a typical example of a chronological text structure where events and information are presented in sections divided by dates.

  • 1. • Chronological order is different from problem and solution but can look similar if the problem and solution events have a timeline associated with them.

• Listing: Listing structure is done by listing information into sections. They often have titles like The Best Stories of the Year or 10 Heartwarming Events from the Summer.

  • 1. • Because they do not function the same as problem and solution, they will lack signal words indicating the problems and solutions. They will often have bullets, letters, or numbers separating the content sections.

When analysing a text that uses the Problem and Solution text structure, you need to examine at least two things: the author's argument as a whole and the individual components of it.

When writing or deciphering problem and solution text, it is important to recognise the signal words used in each one. Signal words are specific words used to indicate the type of content that will follow. The following chart shows some common signal words and a sentence they might appear in for both problem and solution: 

Click on a text (links below) and login to Epic using the Class Code: xvt0712

Select your profile and begin to read.

While reading, identify examples of problem and solution in the text. 

Use the template (below) to record the examples of problem and solution that you found, and infer the cause and effect. Record your examples in your reading book.

• What are the benefits of the problem and solution text structure?

• How do we identify problem and solution in text?

• how was the problem solved?

• does the solution address the cause?

Once you have answered all reflection questions, set yourself a reading goal for Friday.