Reading nonfiction: structure, purpose, and reasons (grade 5) · lesson

Text structure

💡 Authors pick a structure, like chronology, cause and effect, or problem and solution, to fit their ideas.

Chronology means time order. It uses dates and words like then and later. A process tells steps in order.

Cause and effect explains why. Problem and solution names a problem and how it was solved. A question and answer paragraph asks a question first, then answers it.

An opening often sets up the rest. Ask what the first paragraph helps you understand about the parts that come after it.

🧠 Let's work it out

Paragraph: Why do geese fly in a V? Each bird rides the air pushed by the one ahead. This saves energy.

Ask: how does the paragraph start? With a question.
What do the next sentences do? Answer it.
So the structure is question and answer.

What do you think comes next?

chronology: time order
structure: how a text is organized
problem and solution: a text that names a problem and how it is fixed

Purpose and word choice

💡 Authors choose words and parts on purpose, to explain, compare, or persuade.

An author's main purpose may be to inform, persuade, or entertain. A closing line that calls readers to act shows the author wants to persuade.

Authors also choose special words. Calling an animal by a job title, like doctor or teacher, compares what it does to what a person does.

Ask: why did the author choose this word or part? What does it help me see?

🧠 Let's work it out

Text: The woodpecker is the forest's drummer.

Ask: what does a drummer do? Beats a steady rhythm.
What does a woodpecker do? Taps on trees again and again.
So the author compares them to show the sound and rhythm of its pecking.

What do you think comes next?

purpose: the reason the author wrote
persuade: to try to change a reader's mind

Reasons and evidence

💡 A claim is only as strong as the reasons and evidence that support it.

A reason tells why the claim is true. Evidence proves the reason. Evidence includes facts, numbers, survey results, and what experts say.

Match each piece of evidence to the point it supports. A survey about safety supports a safety reason.

Some sentences are just opinions with nothing behind them. They do not support the claim.

🧠 Let's work it out

Claim: Our park needs more trash cans. Sentences: (1) Workers picked up 200 pounds of litter last month. (2) Trash cans are ugly.

Ask: which one gives evidence?
Sentence 1 has a number about litter.
Sentence 2 is an opinion with no proof, and it doesn't help the claim.

What do you think comes next?

claim: the main point an author argues
reason: why the claim is true
evidence: facts and numbers that prove a reason

🔗 Integration of knowledge and ideas (grade 5) · Khan Academy ↗

Answering a counterclaim

💡 Strong arguments admit the other side's concern and then answer it with a reason.

A counterclaim is what someone who disagrees might say. It often starts with Some people argue or Some worry.

A good writer may first admit the other side has a point. This is called conceding, and it shows the writer is fair. Then the writer answers with however or but.

To find the answer, read past the counterclaim to the however or but.

🧠 Let's work it out

Text: Some parents worry that a later start time makes the day too long. It is true that school would end later. However, students who sleep more learn faster, so less homework is needed.

Ask: which sentence admits a point? It is true that school would end later.
Which word starts the answer? However.

What do you think comes next?

counterclaim: a point made by someone who disagrees
concede: to admit the other side has a point