How to Teach Expository Text Structures Through Information Trade Books
Expository writing, or writing intended to inform, can take on many forms. Three common methods are sequence, problem solution and cause-and-effect. Teaching your students to understand and utilize each of these structures can prove challenging, as many students spend the majority of their time reading fictional texts instead of factual accounts. To help your students understand this type of text, you can use trade books, a format they are likely already familiar with.
Instructions
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Sequence
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1
Select a book with a how-to focus to teach the sequence structure. For example, a book about how to make an origami object will contain this type of step-by-step instruction.
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2
Read the text with students. Give each student a copy, asking one to read aloud for whole-class instruction, or read one-on-one with individual students.
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3
Instruct them to create a sequenced list of steps featured in the text. Ask the learner to paraphrase the steps contained in the book, writing them in sequential order.
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4
Test student understanding by preparing an ordering game. Using a different step-by-step process, write each step on an index card. Jumble the cards and test student understanding by asking them to put them back in the proper order. For example, write out the steps associated with making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and ask students to order them. Reward any student who does so with a tasty PB&J treat.
Problem and Solution
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5
Select a problem-based text. If students are young, you may want to select an easily solvable problem, like the problem of a messy bedroom. If older, challenge them more by selecting a problem that lacks a definitive solution, such as global warming.
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6
Read the text with your students. Provide each student with a copy of the text in question to ensure that they can all follow along.
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7
Label the problem, writing it on the board.
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8
List the solutions, gathering references from the text to support each solution. Ask student volunteers to provide solutions and supporting facts from the text.
Compare and Contrast
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9
Choose two different texts about comparable topics. For example, one text could be about cheetahs and another about bobcats, as they are similar yet have some differences.
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10
Instruct students to read both, or read them aloud with students.
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Complete a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the two. Place a large version of this diagram on the board for cooperative completion.
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12
Compose a written compare-and-contrast essay. Allow students to work in groups, using the Venn diagram to write their essays, or instruct them to compose these essays alone.
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