Graphic Organizers and Text Structures
A. Narrative
Story Structure:
Beginning
Middle
End
Components:
 setting (time and place)
 plot
 characters
B. Expository
1. Descriptive
2. Sequence or Process
3. Compare/Contrast
4. Problem/Solution
5. Cause/Effect
6. Argumentative (Persuasive)
Each of the six expository text structures has the following features:
a) Graphic representation (graphic organizers)
b) Transitions or signal words (discourse markers)
c) Frame questions
C. Lewis March 2010
B. Expository
1. Descriptive
Structure
Graphic Organizers
Signal Words
Frame Questions
Descriptive
a) Attribute circle
also, and,
besides, further, in
addition, too,
moreover
What is it?
If using examples:
What are its
attributes?
b) Spider map
For example,
Where is it found?
What does it look
like?
For instance,
such as, like
2. Sequence
Structure
Graphic Organizers
Signal Words
Frame Questions
Sequence
a) Series of events
chain
1
first, second, (etc.)
afterwards,
before, next,
meanwhile,
subsequently,
then, last, now,
presently, to begin
with, later
previously,
ultimately, finally
What is/are the
subject(s)or
object(s)?
2
3
b) Time line
How did it begin?
What are the
steps/stages?
What is the
outcome?
c) Flow chart
C. Lewis March 2010
3. Compare/Contrast
Structure
Graphic Organizers
Signal Words
Frame Questions
Compare/contrast
a) Venn Diagram
as well as, but,
conversely,
despite, however,
at the same time,
likewise, on the
contrary, on the
other hand, yet,
regardless,
similarly, while,
still, though,
nevertheless,
whereas
What are the
elements being
compared/
contrasted?
D
S
D
b) Matrix (Point-by-point)
A
B
1
2
3
c) Contrastive analysis
How are they alike/
different?
What is the
conclusion?
(Block method)
A
B
similarities
differences
4. Problem/Solution
Structure
Graphic Organizers
Signal Words
Frame Questions
Problem/solution
a) Tables
because, for this
reason, therefore,
instead of,
notwithstanding,
although even
though, unless,
instead of,
otherwise, in spite
of either/or,
neither/nor, rather
than
Who(what) has the
problem?
Problem
Who what why?
Solution(s)
Attempted
solutions
Results
(Pros/Cons)
End results
b) Flow chart
Problem
Solution
Result
What is the
problem? What is
causing the
problem? What are
the negative effects?
Are there any
positive effects?
What actions are
taken to solve the
problem? What are
the consequences?
C. Lewis March 2010
5. Cause/effect
Structure
Graphic Organizers
Signal Words
Frame Questions
Cause/effect
Fishbone
accordingly,
because, since,
so, for this
reason,
consequently,
this leads to,
then, thus,
therefore,
nevertheless, so
that, as a result,
if…then, not
only…but also
What is the effect or
result? What are the
causes? What are
the factors that
caused x? Which
factors are most
important? Why?
a) Single cause /multiple
effects
effect 1
effect 2
cause
effect 3
effect 4
b) multiple causes...single
effect
cause1
How do the factors
inter-relate?
cause 2
effect
cause 3
cause 4
c) Cycle/chain diagram
Cause
Cause/Effect
Cause/Effect
Cause/Effect
C. Lewis March 2010
6. Argumentative (Persuasive)
Structure
Graphic Organizers
Signal Words
Frame Questions
Argumentative
(Persuasive)
a) Discuss two sides of an
issue:
as well, but,
despite, however,
at the same time,
another,
furthermore, an
additional, yet,
regardless,
similarly, while,
still, although, not
only...but also
What is the issue
being discussed?
Side A
vs.
Side B
- Reason 1
- Reason 1
- Example
- Example
- Reason 2
- Reason 2
- Example
- Example
?
?
Choose a
side with
reasons
b) Agree/Disagree with a
statement or choose one
side of an issue and support
Am I asked to
agree/disagree? Do I
need to explain
why/why not?
Are there two sides
to discuss? Am I
asked to choose a
side? Which side do
I support and why?
What are the
reasons? What
examples can be
presented?
position with reasons:
State position
- Reason 1
- Example
- Reason 2
- Example
C. Lewis March 2010