Descriptive Text Structures allow students to dive into a specific event or person. Students will learn facts, details, and a plethora of information as they read within this structure. This type of text is a great resource when learning about a specific topic in science or social studies!
What is Descriptive Text Structure?
The Descriptive Text Structure is used when specific details or characteristics are on a specific topic.
Here, students may read about the senses of a given thing, or read an All About book. And you know students love those! Whatever it may be, it’s one of the 5 non-fiction text structures!
What is an Example of a Descriptive Text?
An example of a descriptive text is an All About Dinosaurs book. Many times when learning about a topic in content, students will see books dedicated to a specific thing. We would see this with All About the Solar System books, or a book about Penguins. These are examples of a Descriptive Text Structure! When the whole text is focused on one person, place, or thing, it would fit within this category.
How is a Descriptive Text Structure Organized?
A Descriptive Text Structure is typically organized into headings or subheadings about an overarching topic. Many times, there is a Table of Contents and Glossary to help navigate. This allows students to learn in detail about a specific person, place, or event.
How to Identify Descriptive Text Structure
First, take a look at the cover! Is it all about a specific thing? You are probably in the right text feature! Descriptive Text Structures will typically include a Table of Contents, Glossary, and even an Index to support readers in finding specific information. Regardless of the features used, students will know it is a Descriptive Text by the focus on one topic.
What is the Purpose of Descriptive Text Structure?
The purpose of Descriptive Text Structures is simple: to teach about a topic! Many times, we will read these books without even noticing. As adults, we read these texts to learn and research about a topic. For students, it is many times out of interest, like All About Tractors or Airplanes. Authors use this structure to stay focused on a topic, and students use these texts to learn about that specific topic.
5 Ideas for Teaching Descriptive Text Structure
Below is a list of ideas for how to teach descriptive text structure.
1. Graphic Organizer
Students can create a web for a graphic organizer! By writing the main topic in the middle, students can add details about it all around the center.
2. Sort It
Provide students with two different topics after reading a few descriptive books. Then, have them sort the details into the categories!
3. Make a Poster (Or Slides)
After reading about a topic, students can create an All About poster, or a technological variant of this! After they finish, encourage students to share with one another. It is wonderful to see what they are creatively capable of!
4. Jeopardy
Need a game resource? Look no further than Jeopardy! Students will love playing this game about specific topics. Split the class into two teams and provide a game board with 5 different topics, each of which have 5 questions about them. Students will practice categorizing as they decide their question and fact-checking as they answer it!
5. Mentor Texts
Using mentor texts, such as Twenty One Steps, are a perfect way to introduce this text structure! Practice read aloud modeling as you show good questions to ask, ways to take notes, and metacognitive skills.
Resources for Teaching Text Structure
Check out our nonfiction reading comprehension and questions resource based on teaching text structure!
In closing, we hope you found this information about how to teach descriptive text structure helpful. If you did, then you may also be interested in:
