Reading nonfiction: structure, purpose, and reasons (grade 3) · lesson

Signal words

💡 Words like first, next, then, and last show where each step or reason begins.

Signal words are like road signs. They tell you a new part is starting.

First, next, then, and last show the steps in order. First, second, and third can also start each reason in an opinion piece, or each item in a list of facts.

When you put reasons or steps in order, find each signal word. The order of the words is the order of the parts.

🧠 Let's work it out

Text: First, wet your hands. Then add soap. Finally, rinse them clean.

Ask: which word starts the final step? Finally.
Which step starts with then? Add soap.

What do you think comes next?

signal word: a word that shows a new part, like first or last

Headings

💡 A heading tells what one part of a text is mostly about.

A heading is a short title over one part of a text. It helps you find facts fast.

A good heading fits the whole part, not just one word in it.

To pick a heading, read the part. Ask what it is mostly about.

🧠 Let's work it out

A part says: Fish use gills. Gills take air out of the water. This lets fish stay under all day.

Ask: what is this part mostly about? How fish get air.
So a good heading is How Fish Breathe.
A heading like Fish Are Fast would fit a part about swimming.

What do you think comes next?

heading: a short title over one part of a text

Cause and effect

💡 A cause is why something happens, and the effect is what happens.

Many facts are linked. One thing makes another thing happen.

The cause comes first. The effect is the result. Words like because, so, and that is why show the link.

Authors also add a fact to explain another fact. Ask what the fact helps you understand.

🧠 Let's work it out

Text: A polar bear has thick fur. So it stays warm on the ice.

Ask: what happens because of the thick fur? The bear stays warm.
Thick fur is the cause.
Staying warm is the effect.

What do you think comes next?

cause: why something happens
effect: what happens as a result

Why did the author write it?

💡 Authors write to explain, to tell a story, or to get you to agree.

The author's purpose is the reason they wrote the text.

A text that teaches facts or steps is written to explain. A text with characters and a problem tells a story. A text with I think and reasons is written to get you to agree.

Ask: is the author teaching me, telling me a story, or trying to change my mind?

🧠 Let's work it out

Text: Snakes shed their skin as they grow. The old skin peels off in one piece.

Ask: is there a story? No.
Is the author asking me to do anything? No.
The author gives facts.
So the purpose is to explain.

What do you think comes next?

purpose: the reason an author writes
explain: to teach how or why

Reasons, facts, and opinions

💡 A strong opinion piece gives reasons and answers the people who might disagree.

A fact can be checked. Our class has twenty kids is a fact. An opinion tells what someone believes. Our class is the best is an opinion.

Opinion words include I think, best, should, and fun.

Good writers also say what others might think. Then they answer it. Look for Some people say, and read the next sentence.

🧠 Let's work it out

Text: Some people say a pet fish is boring. But fish are calm to watch after a long day.

Ask: what do some people think? Fish are boring.
How does the author answer? Fish are calm to watch.
That is how the author answers the other side.

What do you think comes next?

fact: something that can be checked
opinion: what someone believes