Structure Blueprint Guide
Structure Blueprint Guide
Tools for Building and Understanding Stories
Reference Sheet
U2M1: Lesson 2
Authors use different structures to organize their ideas. Use this guide to find the structure of a text and use the sentence starters to talk or write about it.
Cause and Effect
The "Why"
Definition
Explains why something happened and the result (what happened next).
Signal Words
because so effect therefore as a result
Sentence Starters
- One reason for ____ was ____.
- Because of ____, the result was ____.
Chronological
The "Order"
Definition
Events or steps in a process shown in the order they happened.
Signal Words
first then next finally after
Sentence Starters
- First, ____. Then, ____ happened.
- The text shows the steps of ____ in order.
Compare & Contrast
Same & Different
Definition
Shows how two people, places, or ideas are similar and different.
Signal Words
both but however alike difference
Sentence Starters
- Both ____ and ____ are alike because ____.
- While ____ has ____, ____ is different because ____.
Problem & Solution
Fixing Issues
Definition
Describes an issue that needs to be fixed and shares answers.
Signal Words
problem solution solve issue fix
Sentence Starters
- The main problem is ____.
- One way the author suggests solving ____ is by ____.
Structure Sketchpad Organizer
Structure Sketchpad
Graphic Organizer for Text Architects
Name
Date
Task: Read your text. Find the signal words and determine the structure. Use the sentence starters to explain your findings.
Text Analysis: Section 1
Signal Words Found
Text Structure
Cause & Effect
Chronological
Compare & Contrast
Problem & Solution
Use a Sentence Starter to Summarize
Example: "The text shows how cats and dogs are alike because they both..."
Text Analysis: Section 2
Signal Words Found
Text Structure
Cause & Effect
Chronological
Compare & Contrast
Problem & Solution
Use a Sentence Starter to Summarize
Structure Architects Teacher Key
Structure Blueprint Guide
Tools for Building and Understanding Stories
Teacher Answer Key
U2M1: Lesson 2
Instructional Scaffolding for ELLs
This guide is designed for 5th-grade students working at an English Language Learner proficiency. It expands on the basic definitions by providing concrete sentence starters that model how to transition from identifying a structure to explaining its function in a text.
Cause & Effect Focus
Key concept: "Relationship between events."
Teacher Tip: Encourage students to look for the 'Why' (Cause) before the 'What' (Effect).
Chronological Focus
Key concept: "Timeline of events."
Teacher Tip: Great for science processes or historical biographies. Focus on transition words.
Compare & Contrast Focus
Key concept: "Symmetry of ideas."
Teacher Tip: Remind students that "compare" includes finding things that are the same, not just different.
Problem & Solution Focus
Key concept: "Goal-oriented narrative."
Teacher Tip: Solutions are often found at the end of the paragraph or passage.
Sample Student Summaries
Expected Outcome (Problem & Solution)
"The main problem is that the park has too much trash. One way the author suggests solving the issue is by organizing a cleanup day."
Expected Outcome (Chronological)
"First, the caterpillar builds a cocoon. Then, it changes inside for two weeks. Finally, it comes out as a butterfly."
