Free resources for text structure!

Need More Activities for

Teaching text Structure?
This is my top recommended resource for everything you need
to teach text structure! It includes posters, graphic organizers,
texts (short texts, long texts, and paired texts), and small group
activities, including task cards! Click here or on the image to
check it out!
Use this bookmark to help students
remember the different text
structures and help them identify
structures in their reading

©Jennifer Findley www.JenniferFindley.com

 Text Structure Text Structure Text Structure
Text structure is the way an author organizes Text structure is the way an author organizes Text structure is the way an author organizes
the ideas and details of a text. the ideas and details of a text. the ideas and details of a text.
Text Structure Purpose Text Structure Purpose Text Structure Purpose
Description explains a topic, idea, Description explains a topic, idea, Description explains a topic, idea,
person, place, or object by person, place, or object by person, place, or object by
listing characteristics, listing characteristics, listing characteristics,
features, and examples that features, and examples that features, and examples that
describe it describe it describe it

Chronological describes an event or Chronological describes an event or Chronological describes an event or

Order how to do something in Order how to do something in Order how to do something in
the order that the events the order that the events the order that the events
or steps occurred. or steps occurred. or steps occurred.

Problem and presents a problem and Problem and presents a problem and Problem and presents a problem and
Solution one or more solutions to the Solution one or more solutions to the Solution one or more solutions to the
problem. problem. problem.

Cause and is written in a way that tells Cause and is written in a way that tells Cause and is written in a way that tells
Effect the cause or causes of Effect the cause or causes of Effect the cause or causes of
events and their effects. events and their effects. events and their effects.

Compare and explains how two or more Compare and explains how two or more Compare and explains how two or more
Contrast topics are similar and how Contrast topics are similar and how Contrast topics are similar and how
they are different. they are different. they are different.

Organize your thoughts! Organize your thoughts! Organize your thoughts!

Text Structure Evidence Text Structure Evidence Text Structure Evidence

©Jennifer Findley www.JenniferFindley.com

 Use this sort to help students
remember and distinguish between the
different text structures
©Jennifer Findley www.JenniferFindley.com
Text Structure sort Name: _________________________ Date: __________

Description Compare and Chronological Problem and Cause and

Contrast Order Solution Effect

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Text Structure sort Cards
Which type of text Which type of text Which type of text Which type of text Which type of text
structure best structure best structure best structure best structure best
matches the graphic matches the graphic matches the graphic matches the graphic matches the graphic
organizer shown? organizer shown? organizer shown? organizer shown? organizer shown?

Which text structure is Which text structure is Which text structure is Which text structure is Which text structure is
the following text the following text the following text the following text the following text
probably written in? probably written in? probably written in? probably written in? probably written in?

The Consequences Moon and Stars: Save Our Oceans: A Step-by-Step Jupiter: All About the
of Feeding Bears What’s the How You Can Help! Guide to Engine Largest Planet
Difference? Repair

In what type of text In what type of text In what type of text In what type of text In what type of text
structure would you structure would you structure would you structure would you structure would you
find these signal find these signal find these signal find these signal find these signal
words? words? words? words? words?

because resolution for example similarities next

as a result dilemma characteristics differences after

A text written in this A text written in this In this text structure, A text written in this A text written in this
text structure text structure the author presents a text structure explains text structure is
explains a topic by describes an event problem and one or how two more topics written in a way that

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listing characteristics, or how to do more solutions to the are similar and how tells the cause or
features, and something in the problem. The text they are different. causes of events and
examples that order that the may also include the their effects.
describe it. events or steps pros and cons of
occurred. each solution.
 Text Structure sort Answer Key
Name: _________________________ Date: __________

Description Compare and Chronological Problem and Cause and

Contrast Order Solution Effect
A text written in this A text written in this text A text written in this In this text structure, A text written in this text
text structure explains structure explains how text structure the author presents a structure is written in a
a topic by listing two more topics are describes an event or problem and one or way that tells the
characteristics, similar and how they how to do something more solutions to the cause or causes of
features, and examples are different. in the order that the problem. The text may events and their
that describe it. events or steps also include the pros effects.
occurred. and cons of each
solution.
Which type of text Which type of text Which type of text Which type of text Which type of text
structure best matches structure best matches structure best matches structure best matches structure best matches
the graphic organizer the graphic organizer the graphic organizer the graphic organizer the graphic organizer
shown? shown? shown? shown? shown?

In what type of text In what type of text In what type of text In what type of text In what type of text
structure would you structure would you structure would you structure would you structure would you
find these signal find these signal find these signal find these signal find these signal
words? words? words? words? words?

for example similarities next resolution because

characteristics differences after dilemma as a result

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Which text structure is Which text structure is Which text structure is Which text structure is Which text structure is
the following text the following text the following text the following text the following text
probably written in? probably written in? probably written in? probably written in? probably written in?

Jupiter: All About the Moon and Stars: What’s A Step-by-Step Guide Save Our Oceans: How The Consequences of
Largest Planet the Difference? to Engine Repair You Can Help! Feeding Bears
 Use these mats to have students dig deeper with
text structure and apply the skill while reading
in small groups or independently
©Jennifer Findley www.JenniferFindley.com
 Text Structures
Topic of the Text Main Idea of the Text

Text Structure Used Textual Evidence

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 Text Structures
Topic of the Text Text Structure Used

Key Words Used Other Textual Evidence

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 Text Structures
Main Idea Text Structure Used

Summary of the Text (Written in the Text Structure Format)

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 Same Topic: Different Text Structure
Topic: ______________________________________________________
Compare and contrast the details presented in both texts. Then write about how the text structures influences the
details shared and how they are presented.
Title: _________________________________

Text Structure: Title: _________________________________

____________________________________ Text Structure:
____________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
 Use these puzzles to have students identify the
text structure of short texts
If you like this free activity, check out the additional reading puzzles I have
in my store. Just click here or on the image below.

©Jennifer Findley www.JenniferFindley.com

 In 1835, James Bowman invented the light

Text Structure
bulb, which uses electricity to make light. This
invention caused huge changes across the
world. In a basic sense, this new and easy way
of creating light meant that it was now much
easier to perform tasks after dark. As a result of
the light bulb, businesses could stay open
later. Homes and streets were now better lit for
nighttime activity. It also made things safer, as
Cause and
the gaslights that were used before light bulbs
could be very dangerous.
1 Effect
The animal kingdom can be a dangerous place.
Bigger animals hunt smaller animals for food. This
is a huge problem for the smaller animals. To
solve this problem, the prey need to develop
ways to outsmart their predators. One amazing
defense mechanism that some lizards developed
Text Structure
is called autonomy. When attacked, certain
lizards can actually detach their tails from their
bodies. The tail keeps wagging for several
Problem and
minutes or more, distracting the predator.
Meanwhile, the lizard scurries off to safety, solving
Solution
©Jennifer Findley

the lizard’s immediate problem.

2
 A butterfly's life cycle comes in four stages.
First, a butterfly lays its eggs, which take only

Text Structure
about five days to hatch. In stage two, a
caterpillar emerges from the egg and starts
eating everything in sight. When the caterpillar
is done growing, it enters stage three and
begins making a protective shell called a
chrysalis. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar
turns into a butterfly. In stage four, the chrysalis
Chronological
opens to reveal a beautiful butterfly.
Eventually, it lays eggs, and the cycle begins
again. 3 Order
Chefs are hard at work in the kitchen of
Village Pizza. One man sings an opera song
in Italian as he flings dough in the air again
and again. Flour sprinkles about the room like
snow flurries as the dough stretches wider and
Text Structure
wider with each nimble toss. You can hear a
sizzle from the grill. Suddenly, the sweet smell of
green peppers fills the room. The restaurant is
not busy, but your senses certainly are.
Description
©Jennifer Findley

4
 Biking and running are two of the best kinds
of exercise. Both are full of health benefits,
including keeping your heart healthy and
lowering stress. In addition, both are
convenient. Often, you can just step out your
front door and get going all by yourself.
Text Structure
Biking does require a bike, of course, which
can get expensive, while running just requires
sturdy shoes. Biking, on the other hand, is
Compare and
easier on your body since your joints aren't
pounding into the ground with each step.
5 Contrast
A text written in this text
structure explains a topic, idea,
person, place, or object by
Text Structure
listing characteristics, features,
and examples that describe it.
Description
©Jennifer Findley

6
 Text Structure
A text written in this text
structure describes an event in
the order the events occurred.
It may also describe how to
do something in ordered steps.
Chronological
7
Order

In this text structure, the author Text Structure

presents a problem and one or
more solutions to the problem. Problem and
Solution
©Jennifer Findley

8
 A text written in this text
structure is written in a way that Text Structure
tells the cause or causes of
events and their effects.
Cause and
9
Effect

A text written in this text structure Text Structure

explains how two more topics
are similar and how they are Compare
different.
and Contrast
©Jennifer Findley

10
 Recording Sheet
Name: ____________________________________ Date: ________________
Recording Sheet
Name: ____________________________________ Date: ________________

Text # Text Structure Text # Text Structure

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

6 6

7 7

8 8

9 9
©Jennifer Findley

10 10
 Answer key
Text # Text Structure
Cause and Effect
1
Problem and Solution
2
Chronological Order
3
Description
4
Compare and Contrast
5
Description
6
Chronological Order
7
Problem and Solution
8
Cause and Effect
9
©Jennifer Findley

Compare and Contrast

10
Use these printables to have students
track the text structures in texts
they read

*Print as many copies of the second

page of the booklet as needed.
 Text Structure
Name: _________________________________________________________ Date: ________________
Title Page # Text Structure Textual Evidence

©Jennifer Findley www.JenniferFindley.com

 ©Jennifer Findley www.JenniferFindley.com

Text Text
structure structure

Name: __________________________________ Name: __________________________________

Date: ________________ Date: ________________

©Jennifer Findley

Textual Evidence Text Structure Title

Text structure

Textual Evidence Text Structure Title

Text structure
©Jennifer Findley www.JenniferFindley.com
This resource was created by Jennifer Findley. It may be printed and photocopied for single classroom use. It may not be
put on the Internet, sold, or distributed in any form. Check out my store for more resources that are common core
aligned.

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Thanks!
Jennifer Findley