Nonfiction Text Structures

Writers use different structures to build their ideas. Each text structure communicates ideas in a different way.

Problem and Solution

Cause and Effect

Compare and Contrast

Sequence

Main Idea

When reading nonfiction text, it is important to be able to identify the main idea. These are the strategies we are using in class to identify the main idea.

Main Idea - answers the question "What was the text about?"

Before Reading -

• Look at the title.
• Look at the text features.
• Make a prediction. Ask yourself "What will it be about?"

During Reading - 

• Look for and underline repeated words.
• Look for repeated pictures, ideas, themes, and information

After Reading - 

• Reread the words you underlined.
• Ask yourself, "What is the most important idea or thought about the topic?"
• Develop a main idea that is a complete sentence.