Text Structure

TEXT STRUCTURE...

Text structure is one of those things that we analyze to better understand the purpose of a text, the information within the text, and how you might structure your own informational writing. One skill we ask many times throughout the year, and something you'll be asked for the rest of your educational career, is how to find evidence to support what you're trying to say. It's not enough just to say "this is the answer" and have someone take your word for it. You must support your answers (and writing) with evidence.

Use the text, "Water Shortage," (paper copy) and provide evidence for what the text says explicitly:

• Find the sentence that tells you the average number of gallons an American uses daily. High or underline it in blue.

• Find the sentence that explains the purpose of water-efficient appliances and highlight or underline it in green.

• Find the sentence that identifies the way people typically use up the most water in their homes. Highlight or underline it in purple.

• Find the two sentences that provide the two general (not specific) ways people can save on water. Highlight or underline them in pink.

If you were being asked to write your own RACE response (or essay) using this article, this highlighted information would be evidence you could use to support those different topics.

Watch the videos

 and take notes on the following:

• Different types of text structures

• Which text structures are strongest for informational essays, argumentative essays, and creative writing

COLLABORATE WITH A PARTNER:

Grab a Text Structure game and get 2-3 partners. The game you're going to play is similar to Spoons. 

Instructions are with the deck of cards.

MASTERY CHECK:

Did you?

• Take notes on the website info & video?

• Complete the highlighting activity?

• Complete the partner game?

• Complete the practice worksheet & have it checked?

• Complete the mastery check?