Analyzing Author's Craft and Text Structure in Informational Texts Flashcards

An author structures an article by first describing a problem in inner-city schools, then presenting data on the issue, and finally proposing specific reforms. Which text structure BEST describes this organization?

Answer: Problem and solution

Moving from identifying a problem through evidence to proposing reforms is a classic problem-and-solution text structure.

A writer uses short, simple sentences during a description of a crisis event and longer, complex sentences when explaining background context. What effect does this sentence variety create?

Answer: It varies pacing—short sentences create urgency, longer ones provide reflection

Varying sentence length is a craft technique where short sentences build tension and urgency, while longer sentences slow pace and allow for detailed explanation.

Which of the following is the BEST example of an author using specific word choice to convey a negative tone toward a policy?

Answer: 'Officials rammed through the controversial measure despite widespread opposition.'

The word 'rammed' carries a forceful, aggressive connotation and, combined with 'controversial' and 'despite widespread opposition,' signals a clearly negative tone.

A student reads an informational text that opens with a broad claim, narrows to specific examples, and ends with a restated conclusion. This organizational pattern is best described as:

Answer: Deductive structure moving from general to specific

Moving from a broad claim to specific supporting examples and then restating the conclusion is a deductive organizational structure.

When an author of a scientific article uses passive voice ('It was found that...') instead of active voice ('Researchers found that...'), what is the MOST LIKELY reason?

Answer: To emphasize objectivity and focus on findings rather than the researchers

Scientific writing often uses passive voice to emphasize the findings themselves and convey objectivity rather than focusing on who performed the action.

An author includes a direct quotation from an eyewitness to a historical event within an informational article. What is the PRIMARY craft reason for including this quotation?

Answer: To add an authoritative first-person perspective that makes the account more vivid and credible

First-person eyewitness quotations add credibility and vividness by grounding the narrative in direct human experience.

An informational text about renewable energy includes a section comparing the cost per kilowatt-hour of solar, wind, and natural gas. This section MOST LIKELY uses which text structure?

Answer: Compare and contrast

Evaluating multiple energy sources side-by-side using a shared metric (cost per kilowatt-hour) is a clear example of compare-and-contrast structure.