IXL | Identify text structures | 8th grade language arts

Read the text.

Malaria and Zika are both diseases spread by mosquitoes. Malaria is deadly, and people have been fighting it for centuries. Zika, though, emerged more recently. Although symptoms of a Zika infection are usually milder than those of a malaria infection, Zika is associated with birth defects in the babies of infected mothers. Malaria and Zika are spread by two distinct types of mosquitoes: malaria by the Anopheles mosquito, and Zika by the Aedes mosquito. This means that different prevention techniques are recommended. Because Anopheles bite at night, using mosquito netting over beds can help people avoid malaria. Aedes, however, bite during the day. In areas where Zika is a concern, experts recommend using insect repellents and covering the skin with clothing.

Which organizational structure does this text primarily use?

sequential

compare-contrast

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Read the text.

Before humans developed written language, they created pictures on rocks. This "rock art" often portrays animals or abstract designs. The pictures could have been records of events, plans, or messages. There are two basic types: pictographs and petroglyphs. Pictographs were drawn or painted on the surface of rocks with pigments such as charcoal, blood, or chalk. Petroglyphs, on the other hand, were scratched or carved into the rock itself. With some petroglyphs, only the surface layer of rock is removed, showing a lighter color of rock beneath the outer layer. Other petroglyphs consist of carvings cut deep in the rock. Most pictographs have faded, while petroglyphs have endured longer.

Which organizational structure does this text primarily use?

sequential

compare-contrast

key idea

Authors use different text structures to organize their ideas in writing. Learning to identify these structures will help you to understand the relationships between ideas in informational texts. You can also use these structures to organize your own writing.

A cause-effect structure presents the causes and the effects of a particular event, trend, or situation. This structure often uses words and phrases such as because, since, as a result, due to, or consequently.

A compare-contrast structure presents similarities (comparisons) and differences (contrasts) between two or more things. This structure often uses words and phrases such as like, similarly, or in the same way (for comparing) or on the other hand, in contrast, or unlike (for contrasting).

A problem-solution structure presents a problem and suggests one or more possible solutions. This structure often uses words such as issue, question, puzzle, propose, and answer.

A sequential structure describes a series of events that happens in a certain order. This structure often uses specific dates and times or words such as first, next, during, finally, and while.

solution

The text uses a compare-contrast structure to show the differences between two major types of rock art.

Pictographs	Petroglyphs
pigments on rock surface	scratched or carved into rock
mostly faded	longer lasting

In the text, certain words and phrases help to organize ideas in a compare-contrast structure. Notice the phrase on the other hand and the word while:

Before humans developed written language, they created pictures on rocks. This "rock art" often portrays animals or abstract designs. The pictures could have been records of events, plans, or messages. There are two basic types: pictographs and petroglyphs. Pictographs were drawn or painted on the surface of rocks with pigments such as charcoal, blood, or chalk. Petroglyphs, on the other hand, were scratched or carved into the rock itself. With some petroglyphs, only the surface layer of rock is removed, showing a lighter color of rock beneath the outer layer. Other petroglyphs consist of carvings cut deep in the rock. Most pictographs have faded, while petroglyphs have endured longer.

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Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

F.1Determine the order of events in informational texts

E.1Compare and contrast in informational texts

E.3Match problems with their solutions

E.2Match causes and effects in informational texts

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