RTI: Author's Craft: How Structure Shapes Meaning
5 Text Structures
Apply Your Knowledge
Wrap Up!
Standards and Objectives
Let's Practice
Click Here for Blooket Practice
Standards and Objectives
6.RC.3
Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a
text
- I can identify different text structures in a passage
- I can explain how a part of a text fits into the whole
- I can explain how text structure helps develop the main idea
Text Structures
There are 5 text structures. Click on each word to learn more!
Cause and Effect
Compare and Contrast
Description
Sequence/ Chronological Order
Problem and Solution
Description
Describes a topic by listing features, characteristics, or examples
Signal Words:
- For instance
- such as
- specifically
- to illustrate
Next
How description Shapes Meaning
1. Builds a clear picture
The effect:
Helps you imagine and feel a certain way about the topic
2. Gives details about a topic
3. The details the author chooses matter
4. Can make something seem good or bad depending on word choice
Next
Cause and Effect
Explains why something happened (cause) and what happened as a result (effect).
Signal Words:
- Because
- Since
- Therefore
- Consequently
- So
- As a Result
How Cause and effect Shapes Meaning
The effect:
1. Shows what caused something and what happened because of it
Helps you see how things are connected and why they matter.
2. Connects Events together
3. Helps you to understand reasons and results
Next
Sequence or Chronological Order
Explains events in order or outlines steps in a process.
Signal Words:
- First
- Next
- Then
- Finally
- Before
- After
How Chronological order Shapes Meaning
The effect:
1. Tells Events in Time Order
Helps you understand how something changes or develops over time.
2. Uses words like first, Next, then, finally
3. Helps you follow what is happening step-by-step
Next
Compare and Contrast
Discusses similarities and differences between two or more items.
Signal Words:
- Same as
- on the other hand
- rather
- in contrast
- similarly
How Compare/contrast Shapes Meaning
The effect:
1. Shows similarities and differences
Helps you understand differences and make comparisons
2. Helps you look at two or more things closely
3. Helps you decide which is better or more important
Next
Problem and Solution
Sets up a problem and presents one or more solutions
Signal Words:
- problem
- solution
- to fix
- dilemma
- puzzle
How Problem and Solution Shapes Meaning
The effect:
1. Tells about a problem
Helps you understand problems and think about ways to solve them.
2. Gives one or more solutions
3. Helps you think about how to fix issues
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
"Maya found the letter on her doorstep. Her hands shook as she opened it. Inside was a confession from her best friend—one that changed everything."
Final Thoughts
- Text structure is more than organization. It changes how we understand the text
- Authors choose structures to highlight certain ideas (details, causes, order, differences, solutions)
- The structure helps guide what the reader focuses on
- Paying attention to structure helps you think deeper about the meaning
- Strong readers ask:
- Why did the author organize it this way?
- How does this structure shape the message?
Quiz Code: STORY
1
Kelli Clifton
Created on April 21, 2026
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Transcript
RTI: Author's Craft: How Structure Shapes Meaning
5 Text Structures
Apply Your Knowledge
Wrap Up!
Standards and Objectives
Let's Practice
Click Here for Blooket Practice
Standards and Objectives
6.RC.3 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text
Text Structures
There are 5 text structures. Click on each word to learn more!
Cause and Effect
Compare and Contrast
Description
Sequence/ Chronological Order
Problem and Solution
Description
Describes a topic by listing features, characteristics, or examples
Signal Words:
Next
How description Shapes Meaning
1. Builds a clear picture
The effect:
Helps you imagine and feel a certain way about the topic
2. Gives details about a topic
3. The details the author chooses matter
4. Can make something seem good or bad depending on word choice
Next
Cause and Effect
Explains why something happened (cause) and what happened as a result (effect).
Signal Words:
How Cause and effect Shapes Meaning
The effect:
1. Shows what caused something and what happened because of it
Helps you see how things are connected and why they matter.
2. Connects Events together
3. Helps you to understand reasons and results
Next
Sequence or Chronological Order
Explains events in order or outlines steps in a process.
Signal Words:
How Chronological order Shapes Meaning
The effect:
1. Tells Events in Time Order
Helps you understand how something changes or develops over time.
2. Uses words like first, Next, then, finally
3. Helps you follow what is happening step-by-step
Next
Compare and Contrast
Discusses similarities and differences between two or more items.
Signal Words:
How Compare/contrast Shapes Meaning
The effect:
1. Shows similarities and differences
Helps you understand differences and make comparisons
2. Helps you look at two or more things closely
3. Helps you decide which is better or more important
Next
Problem and Solution
Sets up a problem and presents one or more solutions
Signal Words:
How Problem and Solution Shapes Meaning
The effect:
1. Tells about a problem
Helps you understand problems and think about ways to solve them.
2. Gives one or more solutions
3. Helps you think about how to fix issues
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
"Maya found the letter on her doorstep. Her hands shook as she opened it. Inside was a confession from her best friend—one that changed everything."
Final Thoughts
Quiz Code: STORY