Nonfiction Text Structures
Lesson 7 - Descriptive vs. Cause and Effect
Today we are going to learn how articles present information based on their structure and how to use multiple sources to draw conclusions.
Recall that we read an article about the experiences of three children during the Holocaust. The author organized the information using a descriptive text structure. It made sense to use the descriptive text structure because the author wanted the reader to learn what life was like for children who actually survived this tragic part of our world's history.
We are going to analyze how another text discusses another world tragedy in a different way.
Authors have reasons for why they organize information in different ways. It all depends on what they want to say and what they want the reader to understand.
As you read the article Syrian Refugees in the United States think about the structure of the article and how the author presents information. Ask yourself why the author chose this structure.
Read article and then think about the structure (cause and effect). Identify places in the text that discuss the causes and effects of the Syrian Refugees. How does this structure (cause and effect) differ from the structure of the article from the previous lesson, Hatred's Horrors (descriptive)?
Now that you have read Syrian Refugees in the United States and Hatred's Horror, work to compare the likes and differences. First compare the text features and secondly compare the actual information. Finally, develop a conclusion that can be made from both texts. There is an example for each done for you. Remember to make a copy and save it in your reading folder.
You can read for the remainder of the time. For this unit you must be reading nonfiction. If you do not have a physical nonfiction book go to www.getepic.com/students and enter our class code: bzr3899. Select your name and go to your mailbox located near the top right. I have placed 40+ nonfiction books for you to read there in the three different categories.