Understanding nonfiction
Text Structures
Description of Course
What will you learn?
In this course, you will learn the various nonfiction text structures, how to identify them as you read, and how to recognize the impact that they have on the text, allowing you to make informed decisions as both a reader and writer.
OBJECTIVES
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, I will be able to...
Define 5 common nonfiction text structures
Choose an effective text structure for my own writing
Analyze a nonfiction text effectively
Identify the structure of a text as I read
Understanding text structure will help you read and write with a clear purpose.
overview of lessons
Lessons
This lesson will help you understand the difference between the topic or subject of a text and the structure that is used to present it.
Distinguishing Between Structure and Topic
In completing this lesson, you will learn about 5 text structures commonly seen in nonfiction.
The 5 Text Structures
This lesson will help you recognize which text structure is the best choice when writing by evaluating effectiveness in terms of organization and audience understanding.
This lesson will help you recognize the identifying features and signals of text structure as you read.
Identifying Text Structures
Choosing Effective Text Structure
Lesson 1: Text Structure Types
the 5 text structures
Learn about 5 commonly seen text structures in nonfiction
Lesson 1: What is text structure?
Lesson 1: Text structure types
Cause/Effect
Description
Problem/Solution
Compare/Contrast
Order/Sequence
Explore each text structure to learn more!
You are now able to complete your Lesson 1 Formative Check!
Lesson 1 review
Recommended to go back and review before taking your Lesson 1 Formative Check
Lesson 2: Structure vs topic
Distinguishing between structure and topic
Learn the difference between both in a nonfiction text
What is the topic (or subject) of a text?
The topic of a text
is what the text is all about. The topic or subject is the idea, issue, or focus the author is discussing.
Lesson 2: Topic vs structure
Let's look at an example!
Click the link to read the article to explore the difference between topic and text structure.
You are now able to complete your Lesson 2 Formative Check!
You may be confusing subject with structure. It is recommended to go back and review before taking your Lesson 2 Formative Check
Lesson 3: Identifying Text structure
Identifying text structure
Learn how to correctly identify the structure in a nonfiction text
Lesson 3: Steps to identify text structure
Highlight relationships between ideas
Pay attention to transition words
Scan the organization
Start with the topic!
Think about the big purpose
Ask: How is the article put together?
Test your conclusion!
Lesson 3: Steps to identify text structure
Try using these additional tips:
1. Read the introduction and conclusion first. They may give you all you need!
2. Ignore small details at first. Think big picture!
3. Think: what would feel off if the order of paragraphs changed?
Lesson 3: Steps to identify text structure
Let's look at an example!
Click the link to read the article and use the steps to identify the correct text structure.
You are now able to complete your Lesson 3 Formative Check!
Not quite! It is recommended to go back and review before taking your Lesson 3 Formative Check
Lesson 4: Choosing text structure
Choosing Effective Text structure
Make the right choice as a writer
Lesson 4: Choosing Text structure
Think about your pupose & ask:
Is my goal to explain something? Description Is my goal to show why something happens? Cause/Effect Is my goal to present a problem and a response? Problem/Solution Is my goal to show a change over time or to show steps? Chronological Is my goal to help readers see similarities and differences? Compare/Contrast
Lesson 4: Choosing text structure
Think about your reader...
What will help readers follow my ideas in a logical way? Which organization makes my clearest? If I used a different structure, would it confuse my reader?
main idea
Lesson 4: Choosing Text structure
Not quite! It is recommended to go back and review before taking your Lesson 4 Formative Check
You are now able to complete your Lesson 4 Formative Check!
Summary
Let's bring it all together!
- Text structure is the way in which ideas are organized, rather than what the text is about.
- Analyzing the author's purpose and the relationships connecting their idea(s) can help identify structure.
- Signal/transitional words and headings can serve as helpful clues for identifying structure, but it's the big picture that matters.
- When writing, base your choice of text structure on both your purpose and intended audience.
You did it!!
Congratulations on fulfilling the objectives of this course!
You are now ready to attempt your summative assessment!
REFERENCES
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. (n.d.). Butterfly lifecycle. Butterfly lifecycle exhibit. https://ansp.org/exhibits/online-exhibits/butterflies/lifecycle/
GoldenDoodles.net. (2025). Goldendoodle vs. Golden Retriever: What’s the Difference? https://goldendoodles.net/goldendoodle-vs-golden-retriever/
Hill’s Pet Nutrition. (n.d.). Interesting Differences Between Dogs and Cats. Differences Between Dogs and Cats. https://www.hillspet.com.au/pet-care/resources/differences-between-cats-and-dogs?lightboxfired=true
Kepley, S. [Teachingintentionally]. (2022, February 22). Text Structure Mini Lesson [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/7PjV2hcxsAY?si=-N6Zys3eTEte9mlo
History.com Editors. (2025, December 8). 8 Reasons Why Rome Fell. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/articles/8-reasons-why-rome-fell
REFERENCES cont.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.). Killer whale (Orcinus orca). NOAA Fisheries https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/killer-whale
Nonfiction text structures [Image]. (2025). Teacher Thrive. Teaching Nonfiction Text Structures. https://teacherthrive.com/teaching-nonfiction-text-structure/
MacKay, K. (2024, May 30). 10 Surprising Facts about Alligators. Treehugger. https://www.treehugger.com/alligator-facts-5119214
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. (n.d.). Elephant characteristics. Elephant characteristics. https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/elephants/characteristics/
Utah State University Extension. (2022, February). Factors contributing to bee decline. Factors contributing to bee decline. https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/research/factors-contributing-to-bee-decline
Compare/contrast
A compare/contrast text structure is one in which the author examines similarities and/or differences between two topics, ideas, texts, etc.
Click the link to explore Hillspet.com's nonfiction article on the differences between cats and dogs in a compare/contrast text structure!
Order/Sequence
An order/sequence text structure is one in which the author presents information chronologically (in the order that it happens) or in a step-by-step progression.
Click the link to explore AONS's nonfiction article on the life cycle of a butterfly in an order/sequence text structure!
Problem/solution
A problem/solution text structure is one in which the author identifies an issue or challenge and then proposes one or more ways to address or resolve it.
Click the link to explore the University of Utah's nonfiction article on bee population decline in a problem/solution text structure!
Cause/Effect
A cause/effect text structure is one in which the author explains why something happened (the cause) and what happened as a result (the effect).
Click the link to explore History.com's nonfiction article on the fall of the Roman Empire in a cause/effect text structure!
Descriptive
A descriptive text structure is one in which the author clarifies or describes the topic by providing the reader with details, characteristics, examples, etc.
Click the link to explore Seaworld's nonfiction article on elephants in a description text structure!
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Transcript
Understanding nonfiction
Text Structures
Description of Course
What will you learn?
In this course, you will learn the various nonfiction text structures, how to identify them as you read, and how to recognize the impact that they have on the text, allowing you to make informed decisions as both a reader and writer.
OBJECTIVES
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, I will be able to...
Define 5 common nonfiction text structures
Choose an effective text structure for my own writing
Analyze a nonfiction text effectively
Identify the structure of a text as I read
Understanding text structure will help you read and write with a clear purpose.
overview of lessons
Lessons
This lesson will help you understand the difference between the topic or subject of a text and the structure that is used to present it.
Distinguishing Between Structure and Topic
In completing this lesson, you will learn about 5 text structures commonly seen in nonfiction.
The 5 Text Structures
This lesson will help you recognize which text structure is the best choice when writing by evaluating effectiveness in terms of organization and audience understanding.
This lesson will help you recognize the identifying features and signals of text structure as you read.
Identifying Text Structures
Choosing Effective Text Structure
Lesson 1: Text Structure Types
the 5 text structures
Learn about 5 commonly seen text structures in nonfiction
Lesson 1: What is text structure?
Lesson 1: Text structure types
Cause/Effect
Description
Problem/Solution
Compare/Contrast
Order/Sequence
Explore each text structure to learn more!
You are now able to complete your Lesson 1 Formative Check!
Lesson 1 review
Recommended to go back and review before taking your Lesson 1 Formative Check
Lesson 2: Structure vs topic
Distinguishing between structure and topic
Learn the difference between both in a nonfiction text
What is the topic (or subject) of a text?
The topic of a text
is what the text is all about. The topic or subject is the idea, issue, or focus the author is discussing.
Lesson 2: Topic vs structure
Let's look at an example!
Click the link to read the article to explore the difference between topic and text structure.
You are now able to complete your Lesson 2 Formative Check!
You may be confusing subject with structure. It is recommended to go back and review before taking your Lesson 2 Formative Check
Lesson 3: Identifying Text structure
Identifying text structure
Learn how to correctly identify the structure in a nonfiction text
Lesson 3: Steps to identify text structure
Highlight relationships between ideas
Pay attention to transition words
Scan the organization
Start with the topic!
Think about the big purpose
Ask: How is the article put together?
Test your conclusion!
Lesson 3: Steps to identify text structure
Try using these additional tips:
1. Read the introduction and conclusion first. They may give you all you need!
2. Ignore small details at first. Think big picture!
3. Think: what would feel off if the order of paragraphs changed?
Lesson 3: Steps to identify text structure
Let's look at an example!
Click the link to read the article and use the steps to identify the correct text structure.
You are now able to complete your Lesson 3 Formative Check!
Not quite! It is recommended to go back and review before taking your Lesson 3 Formative Check
Lesson 4: Choosing text structure
Choosing Effective Text structure
Make the right choice as a writer
Lesson 4: Choosing Text structure
Think about your pupose & ask:
Is my goal to explain something? Description Is my goal to show why something happens? Cause/Effect Is my goal to present a problem and a response? Problem/Solution Is my goal to show a change over time or to show steps? Chronological Is my goal to help readers see similarities and differences? Compare/Contrast
Lesson 4: Choosing text structure
Think about your reader...
What will help readers follow my ideas in a logical way? Which organization makes my clearest? If I used a different structure, would it confuse my reader?
main idea
Lesson 4: Choosing Text structure
Not quite! It is recommended to go back and review before taking your Lesson 4 Formative Check
You are now able to complete your Lesson 4 Formative Check!
Summary
Let's bring it all together!
You did it!!
Congratulations on fulfilling the objectives of this course!
You are now ready to attempt your summative assessment!
REFERENCES
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. (n.d.). Butterfly lifecycle. Butterfly lifecycle exhibit. https://ansp.org/exhibits/online-exhibits/butterflies/lifecycle/
GoldenDoodles.net. (2025). Goldendoodle vs. Golden Retriever: What’s the Difference? https://goldendoodles.net/goldendoodle-vs-golden-retriever/
Hill’s Pet Nutrition. (n.d.). Interesting Differences Between Dogs and Cats. Differences Between Dogs and Cats. https://www.hillspet.com.au/pet-care/resources/differences-between-cats-and-dogs?lightboxfired=true
Kepley, S. [Teachingintentionally]. (2022, February 22). Text Structure Mini Lesson [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/7PjV2hcxsAY?si=-N6Zys3eTEte9mlo
History.com Editors. (2025, December 8). 8 Reasons Why Rome Fell. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/articles/8-reasons-why-rome-fell
REFERENCES cont.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.). Killer whale (Orcinus orca). NOAA Fisheries https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/killer-whale
Nonfiction text structures [Image]. (2025). Teacher Thrive. Teaching Nonfiction Text Structures. https://teacherthrive.com/teaching-nonfiction-text-structure/
MacKay, K. (2024, May 30). 10 Surprising Facts about Alligators. Treehugger. https://www.treehugger.com/alligator-facts-5119214
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. (n.d.). Elephant characteristics. Elephant characteristics. https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/elephants/characteristics/
Utah State University Extension. (2022, February). Factors contributing to bee decline. Factors contributing to bee decline. https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/research/factors-contributing-to-bee-decline
Compare/contrast
A compare/contrast text structure is one in which the author examines similarities and/or differences between two topics, ideas, texts, etc.
Click the link to explore Hillspet.com's nonfiction article on the differences between cats and dogs in a compare/contrast text structure!
Order/Sequence
An order/sequence text structure is one in which the author presents information chronologically (in the order that it happens) or in a step-by-step progression.
Click the link to explore AONS's nonfiction article on the life cycle of a butterfly in an order/sequence text structure!
Problem/solution
A problem/solution text structure is one in which the author identifies an issue or challenge and then proposes one or more ways to address or resolve it.
Click the link to explore the University of Utah's nonfiction article on bee population decline in a problem/solution text structure!
Cause/Effect
A cause/effect text structure is one in which the author explains why something happened (the cause) and what happened as a result (the effect).
Click the link to explore History.com's nonfiction article on the fall of the Roman Empire in a cause/effect text structure!
Descriptive
A descriptive text structure is one in which the author clarifies or describes the topic by providing the reader with details, characteristics, examples, etc.
Click the link to explore Seaworld's nonfiction article on elephants in a description text structure!