Structure Sleuth Organizer
STRUCTURE SLEUTH
Informational Text Architecture Organizer
Name:
Date:
Text:
Topic:
Detective Clues:
Desc: for instance, features, characteristics • Seq: first, next, dates, finally • Comp: alike, unlike, however, whereas
1
DESCRIPTION STRUCTURE
Author paints a clear picture by describing features, traits, or sensory details
Central Topic
Characteristic 1
Characteristic 2
Characteristic 3
2
SEQUENCE / CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
Author lists events in time order or provides step-by-step instructions
Step / Event 1 SIGNAL WORD
Signal:
Step / Event 2 SIGNAL WORD
Signal:
Step / Event 3 SIGNAL WORD
Signal:
Final Step / Event SIGNAL WORD
Signal:
3
COMPARE & CONTRAST STRUCTURE
Author shows how two people, things, or ideas are alike and different
Item A:
Different / Unique to A
Shared Traits / Both Alike
Similarities & Overlaps
Item B:
Different / Unique to B
Turn over for Cause & Effect, Problem & Solution, and Synthesis Page 1 of 2
STRUCTURE SLEUTH
Part II: Relationships, Resolutions & Evidence
Cause/Eff: because, therefore, led to, impact • Prob/Sol: problem, challenge, solved, resolve
4
CAUSE & EFFECT STRUCTURE
Author explains reasons why something happened and what occurred as a result
The Causes (Why it Happened)
Reasons & Triggers
Cause A:
Cause B:
The Effects (What Resulted)
Outcomes & Impact
Effect / Outcome 1:
Effect / Outcome 2:
5
PROBLEM & SOLUTION STRUCTURE
Author presents a conflict, challenge, or dilemma and one or more ways it is resolved
The Problem
What went wrong? Who is affected?
Action Taken
What steps or methods were attempted?
The Resolution
How was it resolved? Final outcome?
Detective's Final Text Verdict
Synthesize your analysis of the assigned reading
Primary Structure Used by the Author:
Description
Sequence
Compare
Cause / Effect
Problem / Sol
Signal Words Found in Passage:
Why did the author organize the text this way?
Informational Text Analysis • Graphic Organizer Page 2 of 2
