What text structures are included?

Five common informational structures: cause & effect, compare & contrast, sequence, problem & solution, and description.

Are the charts free to print?

Yes. Every poster on this page is free to view and download with no sign-up. Use them in class or at home.

Can I customize a chart?

Scroll to “Need a custom version?” to describe grade level, colors, or extra examples and generate a variant.

Is this the same as a graphic organizer generator?

No. These are finished anchor-chart posters. For blank interactive organizers you can fill in live, try our Graphic Organizer Generator.

What grade levels are these for?

Upper elementary through middle school ELA is the main fit; teachers often adapt language for younger grades.

Will you add theme or main idea charts?

Those are natural follow-ups once this text-structure set is live. This page is the pilot for printable ELA resource pages.

Which signal words most often mark compare & contrast structure?

however, both, on the other hand

because, therefore, as a result

for example, such as, including

ELA Resource

Text Structure Anchor Charts Free Printable Set

Free text structure anchor charts — cause & effect, compare & contrast, sequence, problem & solution, and description. Download or print; no sign-up.

5 core text structuresSignal words & teaching promptsFree download & print — no sign-upOptional custom AI variants below

Free Text Structure Anchor Charts

Every chart below is free to view and download — no sign-up.

Five text structures

Cause & Effect Anchor Chart

Cause → effect layout, classroom signal words, and guiding questions for readers.

Compare & Contrast Anchor Chart

Side-by-side A · both · B frames plus signal words for likeness and difference.

Sequence Anchor Chart

First → next → then → finally steps for how-tos, history, and life cycles.

Problem & Solution Anchor Chart

Problem and solution panels with signal words and evaluation prompts.

Description Anchor Chart

Topic web with detail bubbles and signal words for descriptive text.

Test yourself: text structure

Quick check — answers reshuffle each time.

Question 1 of 4Score: 0

A how-to article with numbered steps is usually organized as…

Need a custom version?

Change colors, grade level, or examples — describe it and generate a poster variant. For classroom-accurate structure frames, use the free charts above.

Customize an Anchor Chart

Describe your text structure chart

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Decorative variants — free scientifically framed posters are above

What is a text structure anchor chart?

A text structure anchor chart is a classroom poster that shows how informational writing can be organized — cause & effect, compare & contrast, sequence, problem & solution, and description. Students use it while reading and writing to spot signal words, map ideas, and choose a structure for their own paragraphs. These free charts are ready to view, download, and print — no account required.

The five structures at a glance

Cause & effect — why something happens and what follows.
Compare & contrast — how two topics are alike and different.
Sequence — steps or events in time order.
Problem & solution — a challenge and how it is addressed.
Description — a topic web of traits, features, and examples.

How to use these charts

Print one structure at a time as a mini-lesson focus, or print the set for a writing center wall.
During reading, ask students to match a paragraph to a chart and underline signal words.
During writing, have students pick a structure first, then draft using the chart’s frames.