2006 Mississippi Language Arts Framework-Revised

TEXT STRUCTURES
Organizational Description Signal Words Graphic Organizers
Structure
Cause/Effect The writer analyzes then explains the Consequently, therefore, x Cycle
causal relationship between things. as a result, thereby, x Fishbone Map
The reader is told the result of an event or leads to, because, this x Webbing
occurrence and the reasons it happened. lead to, since, may be
due to
Example: Weather patterns could be
described that explain why a big
snowstorm occurred.
Chronological/Order/ The writer presents ideas, series of Next, first, last, second, x Chain of Events
Sequence events, or a process in the order in which another, then, after, x Sequence Chain
they occurred. additionally, initially, x Series of Events
before, not long after Chain
Example: A book about the American when
revolution might list the events leading to
the war. In another book, steps involved
in harvesting blue crabs might be told.
Compare/Contrast The writer presents differences and However, unlike, like, by x Compare/Contrast
similarities of two or more objects, places, contrast, yet, in Matrix
events or ideas by grouping their traits for comparison, although, x Venn Diagram
comparison. on the other hand,
instead of, unless, not
Example: A book about ancient Greece only-but also, different
may explain how the Spartan women from, similar to
were different from the Athenian women.

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 2006 Mississippi Language Arts Framework-Revised

Organizational Description Signal Words Graphic Organizers

Structure
Description/List The writer presents information in a Consequently, therefore,
structure that resembles an outline. Each as a result, thereby, x Clustering
section opens with its main idea, then leads to, for instance, for x Semantic Web
elaborates on it, sometimes dividing the example, furthermore, in x Sketch
elaboration into subsections. addition to, such as, x Spider Map
also, in fact
Example: A book may tell all about
whales or describe what the geography is
like in a particular region.
Problem/Solution The writer presents a problem then The question is, one x Problem/Solution
expounds upon possible solutions for that answer is, one reason Outline
problem. for, recommendations
include

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