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Course: 6th grade reading and vocabulary (improved and expanded) > Unit 3

Lesson 3: Analyzing text structure
Reading & language arts
6th grade reading and vocabulary (improved and expanded)
What defines us?
Analyzing text structure
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How do sentences work together to build meaning and purpose in text?

Google Classroom
Sentences, unite!
A photograph of many blue and pink puzzle pieces in a pile.
Enjoy jigsaw puzzles? Then you might enjoy figuring out how sentences work together in a text to build meaning and purpose. Authors very carefully choose the way their sentences will fit together and build upon each other. The way sentences are arranged in a text helps reveal its meaning and purpose. Just like how the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle fit together in just the right way to reveal a complete picture, texts have sentences that together build a message for readers.

How can I understand how sentences work together?

Here are a few strategies you can use to think about the relationships between sentences:
  • Look for transition words and phrases: Transition words and phrases like “previously,” “although” and “in addition,” can be helpful guides in understanding how sentences fit together and how their ideas build upon each other.
  • Think about the larger meaning and purpose of the text: Figuring out the author’s main message will help you understand the role of individual sentences in building that message.
  • Think about the order of sentences: Oftentimes, the most important ideas in a text will be near its beginning, while supporting details and counterpoints will be found later.

Try it!

Practice: Purpose of sentence
Egyptian statue
Statue of Ptahhotep
Perhaps the most important philosopher of ancient Egypt was
, an important advisor to the
. Scholars believe that Ptahhotep wrote The Maxims of Ptahhotep over 4000 years ago. This book was meant to teach people how to live a good and moral life, based on how people thought about goodness and law at the time. It was written as a series of lessons from a father to his son. The text included such wisdom as “Only speak when you have something worth saying” and "To listen is better than anything, thus is born perfect love."
How does the following sentence from the text support the author’s purpose?
The text included such wisdom as “Only speak when you have something worth saying” and "To listen is better than anything, thus is born perfect love."
Choose 1 answer:

Remember!

Now that you know some of the techniques that writers use to make sentences work together, you can use this knowledge to better understand the texts you read. As you practice identifying these techniques in the writing of others, you'll also become better at using them in your own writing.
Happy reading! 📖

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