This structure describes a series of events in numerical or chronological order that lead up to a conclusion.

Events can be separated by years or just a few seconds.

SEQUENCE QuestionsHow are the steps organized

(chronologically or numerically)?What is the time span of the

events?What do the events describe?Do the events describe a

process?

SEQUENCE Key WordsFirst Today NowSecondDate SinceThird Then FinallyNext Last TimeWhile During FollowingAfter Until PreviouslyWhen Soon

SEQUENCE

The author describes several reasons why an event occurred or describes several effects from one cause, or the author describes a single cause/effect situation.

CAUSE/EFFECT QuestionsWhat is the cause?What is the effect?Is there more than one cause and

effect?What is the result?What is the reason the result

happened?

CAUSE/EFFECT Key WordsIn order to Since For this reasonTherefore So that On account ofAs a result Before The effect of Consequently Due to Reasons

whyAccordingly Because This led to

CAUSE/EFFECT

The author describes how two or more events, places, things, or ideas are alike and/or different.

COMPARE/CONTRAST Questions

What things are being compared (places, objects, events, or ideas)?

How are they alike?How are they different?What are the most important

similarities or differences?

COMPARE/CONTRAST Key Words

However In comparison BothDifferent On the contrary YetAlthough On the other hand ButSimilarly Just like AlsoEither/or Even though TooUnlike As well AlikeSame as Just as

COMPARE/CONTRAST

The author describes the topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples.

DESCRIPTIVE QuestionsWhat person, idea, or thing is

being described?Which detail seems to be the

most important?Can you tell how the author

feels about what he or she is describing?

DESCRIPTIVE Key WordsSuch as Characteristics IncludingIs like Steps involved AcrossNext to Appears to be AlongBeside For instance On top ofAbove For example UnderBelow To illustrate In front of

DESCRIPTIVE

The author identifies a problem, gives possible solutions with possible results, and describes the solution that was finally chosen.

PROBLEM/SOLUTION Questions

What is the problem?What caused the problem?What are some possible

solutions?Who or what will work to solve

the problem?

PROBLEM/SOLUTION Key Words

Problem Solution SolveBecause Difficulty SinceHopeful Question FutureSo that Dilemma NeedAnswer Possibility WorryStruggle If/then Threat One reason for

PROBLEM/SOLUTION

COMPARE/CONTRASTMost states are divided into counties. A county contains towns and cities. It also contains the space in between them. However, the state of Louisiana is not divided into counties. Just like other states, it is divided into smaller parts, but the parts are parishes instead of counties.

COMPARE/CONTRASTMost states are divided into counties. A county contains towns and cities. It also contains the space in between them. However, the state of Louisiana is not divided into counties. Just like other states, it is divided into smaller parts, but the parts are parishes instead of counties.

PROBLEM/SOLUTIONNewspaper printing presses run very fast. It would be easy to print all the papers at once, but printers worry there might be a mistake in the paper. It would be a waste to reprint them all. The printers avoid this problem by running “test” papers, which they check for mistakes.

PROBLEM/SOLUTIONNewspaper printing presses run very fast. It would be easy to print all the papers at once, but printers worry there might be a mistake in the paper. It would be a waste to reprint them all. The printers avoid this problem by running “test” papers, which they check for mistakes.

DESCRIPTIVEThe Florida worm lizard does not have legs or feet. It is about eight inches long and looks like a giant earthworm because it is pink. It doesn’t have eyes or ears, but it has a mouth that looks like other lizards’ mouths. Its body is covered with scales.

CAUSE/EFFECTThe American West is home to “ghost towns.” These empty places once were bustling towns. They were built during the Gold Rush, when many people moved west to strike it rich. Most of them never found gold. As a result, they moved back east – so the towns became ghost towns.

CAUSE/EFFECTThe American West is home to “ghost towns.” These empty places once were bustling towns. They were built during the Gold Rush, when many people moved west to strike it rich. Most of them never found gold. As a result, they moved back east – so the towns became ghost towns.

SEQUENCETo make butter, first you milk a cow. Then, you separate the cream from the milk. Next, you put the cream in a churner. You use the churner to mix the cream. After a long time, the cream starts to become solid. After mixing even longer, a lump of butter forms.

SEQUENCETo make butter, first you milk a cow. Then, you separate the cream from the milk. Next, you put the cream in a churner. You use the churner to mix the cream. After a long time, the cream starts to become solid. After mixing even longer, a lump of butter forms.