Most
schools are currently teaching students that there are five nonfiction text structures—description,
sequence, compare and contrast, cause and effect, problem and solution. But the truth is that these options are just the tip of the iceberg.
There are
many, many possibilities, and one of the biggest challenges a nonfiction writer faces is
choosing the most effective one (or combination).
many, many possibilities, and one of the biggest challenges a nonfiction writer faces is
choosing the most effective one (or combination).
One
text structure that I think should get more attention is the circle structure. One
of the best known fiction books with a circle structure (as well as a cause and effect structure) is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff and Felicia Bond.
text structure that I think should get more attention is the circle structure. One
of the best known fiction books with a circle structure (as well as a cause and effect structure) is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff and Felicia Bond.
Why is it so popular? Because it’s so different, so unsual, and so fun. The
clever combination of a cause and effect structure and a circle structure is extremely rare in a fiction title. Nearly all fiction books have a
problem-solution text structure.
clever combination of a cause and effect structure and a circle structure is extremely rare in a fiction title. Nearly all fiction books have a
problem-solution text structure.
Circle
structures are more common in nonfiction. Some of great examples include:
structures are more common in nonfiction. Some of great examples include:
A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston and
Sylvia Long
Sylvia Long
A Drop of Water by Gordon Morrison
An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Aston and
Sylvia Long
Sylvia Long
Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible ALVIN by Michelle Cusolito and Nicole Wong
Frog in a Bog by John Himmelman
The Hidden Life of a Toad by Doug Wechsler
No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and
Nicole Wong
Nicole Wong
Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Joy Cowley and
Nic Bishop
Nic Bishop
Redwoods
by Jason Chin
by Jason Chin
A Rock Is Lively by Dianna Hutts Aston and
Sylvia Long
Sylvia Long
A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston and
Sylvia Long
Sylvia Long
Trout Are Made of Trees by April Pulley Sayre and
Kate Endle
Kate Endle
Under the Snow by Melissa Stewart and
Constance Bergum
Constance Bergum
Vulture View by April Pulley
Sayre and Steve Jenkins
Sayre and Steve Jenkins
Warbler Wave by
April Pulley Sayre
April Pulley Sayre
When Rain Falls by Melissa Stewart and Constance Bergum
Some of these books have
a narrative writing style, while others have an expository writing style. But
many students (and adults) would be tempted call them all “stories.” Why? Because the reader begins and ends at the same place, which
is very satisfying and has a similar feel to the denouement of a typical narrative.
As a result, expository
titles with a circle structure appeal to a broad range of readers. They feel comfortable
and familiar to narrative lovers, and yet, they still have the expository
characteristics that appeal to analytical thinkers—fascinating facts, main ideas
and supporting details, patterns, comparisons, concepts. So consider adding
some books with a circular text structure to your collection and sharing them
as read alouds. Students will thank you.
titles with a circle structure appeal to a broad range of readers. They feel comfortable
and familiar to narrative lovers, and yet, they still have the expository
characteristics that appeal to analytical thinkers—fascinating facts, main ideas
and supporting details, patterns, comparisons, concepts. So consider adding
some books with a circular text structure to your collection and sharing them
as read alouds. Students will thank you.
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One Response
It makes sense that the circle structure is a good fit for children's books about nature since so much in nature is circular. Thanks for giving this text structure its time in the sun!