Text Structure: Chronological Order

Recognize nonfiction organized in time order and use signal words to follow it.

Authors organize nonfiction in patterns called text structures. Knowing the structure helps you follow and remember ideas. Chronological, or sequence, structure tells events or steps in the order they happen. It is used in biographies, histories, and how-to texts. Signal words include first, next, then, after, finally, before, and dates like 'In 1920'.

Read: 'First, a caterpillar hatches from a tiny egg. Next, it eats leaves and grows quickly. Then it forms a chrysalis. Finally, a butterfly comes out. ' The words first, next, then, and finally show the order. When you see this structure, try making a timeline or numbered list in your head to keep track.

• 1Chronological structure follows time order.
• 2Signals: first, next, then, finally, dates.
• 3Picture a timeline or numbered list.