Internal Text Structures



Internal Text Structures

Name____________________________

|Text Structure |Definition |What to Look For |Example |

|Concept/Definition |The purpose of the text is to | “such as” |Global warming is a looming threat to the world. Just what is it? Scientists agree that global |

| |define a concept using |“for example” |warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans in|

| |appropriate supporting |“that is” |recent decades and its projected continuation. |

| |details. | | |

|Listing/Enumeration |The purpose of the passage is | Punctuation: |Climate change is endangering many species of animals. Polar bears and tigers are only two of the many|

| |to list specific points or |--a bulleted list |species that are threatened by global warming. Also affected by changes to the environment are such |

| |examples about a topic. |--a list in a sentence |diverse animals as salmon, penguins, and corals. |

| | |separated by commas | |

|Cause/Effect |The purpose of the passage is |“because” |Climate change poses potentially devastating effects on the environment and people’s lives all over the|

| |to show the cause or causes of|“since” |world. Not only are temperatures rising due to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, |

| |an outcome OR to show the |“due to” |climate change also is creating a rise in sea level and a decline in glaciers. Climate changes are |

| |effect(s) of an event. |“therefore” |producing more drought, intensified flooding, increased hurricane intensity, and other extreme weather |

| | |“so” |events that put people at risk. |

|Chronological/Sequential |The passage shows the time | “first…second…” |Can human activity change the climate? As early as 1896, a scientist published his theory that burning|

| |order in which events |“then” |fossil fuels like coal raised Earth’s average temperature. By the 1930s, the United States had warmed |

| |occurred. |“before” |significantly, but most people thought it was just a phase. During the 1950s and 60s, scientists began|

| | |“after” |to measure the level of carbon dioxide that was building up in the atmosphere. From the 1970s through |

| | |“next” |the beginning of the twenty-first century, scientists continued to do research. Since then, more and |

| | |“finally” |more sophisticated computer models have assisted scientists in improving their understanding of global |

| | | |warming. This has led to increased interest around the world in finding solutions to the problem of |

| | | |global warming. |

|Compare/Contrast |The purpose of the passage is|“more than” |Every two years the World Monuments Fund lists 100 of the most endangered sites around the world. Many|

| |to show similarities and |“less than” |of these are in North America, but not all. The United States is home to more endangered sites than |

| |differences between two |“similarly” |any other country. Still, close behind the seven sites in the U.S. are six in Peru and five each in |

| |things. |“in contrast” |India and Turkey. Many of the sites are affected by climate changes. Not all sites are endangered by |

| | |“however” |climate, though. Some, like Iraq and Afghanistan, are threatened by political unrest. Some sites are |

| | | |even threatened by their popularity with tourists. The Incan ruins in Machu Picchu are one such site. |

| | | |One thing, however, is certain. No matter where they are located or the cause of the danger to these |

| | | |cultural landmarks, it is equally important that they be preserved for the future. |

|Problem/Solution |The passage describes a |Look for a problem mentioned in|One group that is working to reduce the effects of climate change is the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). |

| |problem and its solution(s). |the beginning of the text. |They are doing extensive research and trying to find creative solutions to this serious problem. The |

| | |These texts might have a |organization is focusing on four main ways to stop climate change. They are: creating responsible |

| | |question-and-answer format. |policies to reduce global warming, encouraging businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, |

| | | |protecting forests that can help lower the damaging effects of climate change, and helping high-risk |

| | | |communities create plans to lower the impact of global warming on their ecosystems. By encouraging |

| | | |these solutions, the WWF believes that it can protect wildlife from future devastation caused by global|

| | | |warming. |

|Process |The purpose of the text is to|“begins with” |Mexican Chicken Fajitas |

| |delineate the procedure or |“in order to” | |

| |process | |Directions |

| |for how something is | |1. Cut peppers and onion into thin slices. Do not dice, leave slices long and thin. |

| |done/created, e.g., | |2. Saute peppers and onion in a small amount of oil until tender. Add mushrooms and chicken. Continue |

| |cookbooks, science labs, etc.| |to cook on low heat until heated through. Stir in dry salad dressing mix and blend thoroughly. |

| | | |3. Warm tortillas and roll mixture inside. If desired top with shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomato |

| | | |and shredded lettuce. |

|Generalization or principle |The purpose of the text is to|“always” “in fact” |The penny is getting a makeover. The United States Mint revealed four new designs for the 1-cent piece.|

| |organize | |They will be issued to celebrate the coming bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln's birth. |

| |information into general | | |

| |statements with supporting | | |

| |details. | | |

-----------------------

What is Internal Text Structure?

Internal Text Structure is the way the ideas in a text are organized.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download