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English
Quarter 3 - Module 2:
Informative Writing Techniques
Self-Learning Module in English 10
Quarter III- Module 2: Informative Writing Techniques

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the
Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalty.
Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks,
etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been
exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright
owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education- Region I


Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones Undersecretary:
Diosdado San Antonio Regional Director: Tolentino
G. Aquino Asst. Regional Director: Ronald B.
Castillo CLMD Chief: Arlene A. Niro

Development Team of the Module


Author MARIA ALMA LIZA C. CALIMLIM
Editor: LIZA M. MAGALONG
Reviewers: VIRGIL R. GOMEZ
ANGELITA D. MUÑOZ

Management Team
SHEILA MARIE A. PRIMICIAS
ELY S. UBALDO
MARCIANO U. SORIANO, JR
CARMINA C. GUTIERREZ
RUSTICO P. ABALOS
MICHAEL E. RAME
MARILOU D. ROLDAN

Printed in the Philippines by:


Department of Education – Schools Division Office 1 Pangasinan
Office Address: Alvear Street, 2401 Lingayen, Pangasinan
Telephone: (075) 522-2202
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/deped.gov.ph/sdo1pangasinan/home

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What This Module is About
Anchored on the mission of leaving no learners behind in the “new normal” of education,
this learning material will help you enhance your competencies in English through variety of
purposeful discussion and activities designed for distance learning.
Integrated with learning tasks that are contextualized and differentiated, this module will
cater to the varied needs of learners and provide them with worthwhile learning opportunities
despite being on a distance-learning setting.

Notes to the Teacher:


This module is designed for self-paced learning. As a facilitator of learning however, you
have an important role to play. You are the learners’ most reliable reference, and you know
where and when to scaffold and provide further assistance to them. By frequently monitoring the
learners’ progress, you can provide the needed intervention.

Notes to the Learner:


Be sure to honestly and independently do the activities in this module. They are intended
to help you master the competency at your own pace. Answer keys are provided at the end to
help you self-check your own answers. Should you find that your answer is wrong, think carefully
and review. By doing so, your mistakes are not wasted because you will learn from them. If you
have other concerns, do not hesitate to ask help from your teacher. You can also use other
references to further enhance your learning. Moreover, do not forget to have fun while learning.

Note to Parents/Guardians:
Your main role is to make sure your child has a conducive place and enough time to work
on this module at home. To maximize learning, you can also help your child if he/she encounters
some difficulties but make sure it is really your child who does all the required tasks. Finally, just
feel free to contact your child’s English teacher if needed

Icons in this Module


What I Need to Know This part contains learning objectives that
are set for you to learn as you go along the
module each day/lesson.

What I Know This is a pretest assessment as to your


level of knowledge to the subject matter at
hand, meant specifically to gauge prior
related knowledge.

What’s New This is an introduction of the new lesson


through various activities, before it will be
presented to you.

What is It These are discussions of the activities as a


way to deepen your discovery and
understanding of the concept.

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What’s More These are follow-up activities that are
intended for you to practice further in order
to master the competencies.

What I Have Learned These are activities designed to process


what you have learned from the lesson

What I Can Do These are tasks that are designed to


showcase your skills and knowledge
gained, and applied into real-life concerns
and situations.

What I Need to Know

The third quarter of English 10 primarily focuses on the different writing techniques. Specifically,
you will embark on a journey towards understanding the key structural elements, language
features, and the different writing techniques you need in various types of writing endeavor.
This module will guide you develop various stages of your writing skill and will guide you in
writing an essay on a familiar issue which include key structural elements and language features.
Further, this instructional material will let you accomplish the following specific objectives:
1. Describe an informative text;
2. Identify techniques used in informative texts; and
3. Write an informative essay about a familiar issue. Good luck and make sure to enjoy.

What I Know
Encircle the letters of the correct answers.
1. What written component will drive an informative text?
A. evidence B. thesis statement
C. elaboration D. hook

2.What should you keep in mind when writing your informative text?
A. audience, prompt, purpose B. prompt, pencil, people
C. task, purpose, audience D. style, technique, purpose
3.What should come first in the introduction of an informative essay?
A. hook B. thesis
C. reason D. three body paragraph ideas

4.What should the body of your informative essay contain first?


A. transition/topic sentence B. elaboration
C. examples, quotations, and facts D. citation of text evidence
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5. It is the practice of recognizing your sources of information when writing.
A. demonstration B. analysis C. memorization D.
citation

6. Which of the following does NOT need to be in the body of an informative essay?
A. facts B. thesis
C. quotes D. explanation

7. What is a thesis statement?


A. the most important part of the essay’s body
B. a sentence that states the opposite of your viewpoint
C. a sentence that is found only in the conclusion
D. a sentence that lets the reader know what you will write about

8. What is the purpose of an informative essay?


A. To provide information or explain steps in a process.
B. To entertain the readers
C. To tell a story
D. To persuade the reader

9. What are the three main parts of an essay?


A. hook, topic sentence, conclusion.
B. introduction, body, conclusion
C. introduction, hook, body
D. claim, counterclaim, rebuttal.

10. The body of an informative essay aims __________.


A. To explain the thesis statement.
B. To extend the essay.
C. To set up the hook.
D. To get the reader’s attention

In the past lesson, you have studied argumentative essay and how to present arguments
about both sides of an issue. Remember that the general structure of an argumentative essay
follows this format:
Introduction: Attention grabber or the background information
Body: Three body paragraphs (three major arguments)
Counterargument: An argument to refute earlier arguments and give weight to
the actual position
Conclusion: Rephrasing the thesis statement, major points, or the concluding remarks

In this module, you are going to learn different writing techniques and structures
of informative texts.

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What’s New

In each of the following questions, two statements numbered I and II are given. There
may be cause and effect relationship between the two statements. These two statements may
be the effect of the same cause or independent causes. These statements may be independent
causes without having any relationship. Read both the statements in each question and mark
your answer as:

(A) If statement I is the cause and statement II is its effect;


(B) If statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect;
(C) If both the statements I and II are independent causes;
(D) If both the statements I and II are effects of independent causes; and
(E) If both the statements I and II are effects of some common cause.

Statements 1

1. The prices of petrol and diesel in the domestic market have remained unchanged for the past
few months due to pandemic.
2. The crude oil prices in the international market have gone up substantially in the last few
months.

(A) Statement I is the cause and statement II is its effect;


(B) Statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect;
(C) Both the statements I and II are independent causes;
(D) Both the statements I and II are effects of independent causes; and
(E) Both the statements I and II are effects of some common cause.
Statements 2
1. All the schools in the area had to be kept closed for most of the week.
2. Many parents have withdrawn their children from the local schools.
(A) Statement I is the cause and statement II is its effect;
(B) Statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect;
(C) Both the statements I and II are independent causes;
(D) Both the statements I and II are effects of independent causes; and
(E) Both the statements I and II are effects of some common cause.

Statement 3
1. It is the aim of the municipality to impose stricter rules in responding to the COVID 19
pandemic.
2. The number of cases in the municipality are constantly increasing.
(A) Statement I is the cause and statement II is its effect;
(B) Statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect;
(C) Both the statements I and II are independent causes;
(D) Both the statements I and II are effects of independent causes; and
(E) Both the statements I and II are effects of some common cause.

Informational texts can use a variety of structures. Basically, the author adopts whichever
structure s/he believes best gets his message or argument across to his readers. Cause and
effect structures in informational texts are relatively common. In this lesson, the common
structures of an informative text and how to recognize them will be discussed.

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What is It

Informative Text

An informative or informational text is a non-fiction form of writing which aims at informing


the reader about a specific topic. It is typically found in magazines, science or history books,
autobiographies and instruction manuals. They are written using special text features that
allow the reader to easily find key information and understand the main topic.

On a daily-basis, you encounter various types of informative texts from various sources
such as social media, mobile phone applications, newspapers and others. These texts enrich
your knowledge and provide you with information you have not known yet.

Informative text educates the reader about a specific topic. It is a unique type of writing;
you’ll see it in a number of different mediums. This type of writing also has certain
characteristics that make this style easier to identify.

Informative text contains a number of aids that make it easier for readers to follow along
and get the information. Written cues, graphics, illustrations, and organizational structure are
items that help you learn better from an informative text.

You notice these written cues in books. The table of contents at the beginning of the
book, makes it easy for readers to quickly see where they can find specific information. The
index, found at the end of the book, neatly lists all of the topics and the page numbers that
denote the location of those topics. If you’re confused by what a word or phrase means, you
can check the glossary of terms, which provides those definitions. There might even be an
appendix, which provides additional informative text on a specific subject.

How Is An Informative Text Organized?


Informative text uses type, fonts, and labels to help readers find information. A bold word
creates emphasis and tells readers, “This is important.” A phrase set in italics is similar; it
adds extra emphasis on an important word or phrase. Numbered or bulleted lists set apart
important information in an orderly fashion. Authors might use headings, subheadings, and
labels to also denote importance. Those are all ways informative texts can organize content.

What Other Techniques Do Authors Use?

A. Informative text may contain graphics to help the reader understand the subject. It shows you
the information while providing some explanatory text. Low diagrams, sketches, and maps are all
examples of other graphics used in informative texts. But graphics aren’t the only visual aids.

B. Illustrations provide additional visual techniques in informative texts. Photos are also used
for illustrative purposes. Illustrations and words work together in several ways. Good readers
visualize, or create mental pictures of
what they read about. Not only do the
WHO Avoid the 3Cs: tinyurl.com/1sxj5jo4

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illustrations help readers see what the words describe, but they can also help readers
understand the words themselves.

The Quint: Online Classes and Online Teaching Amid COVID 19tinyurl.com/1i4svxte

The Structure of an Informative Essay

When it comes to structure, an informative essay follows the same basic principles as
argumentative writing. The main difference between the two is the purpose. While an
argumentative essay is designed to persuade the reader to agree with the position argued in its
claim, an informative essay’s sole purpose is to educate the reader.

Structure your informative essay using multiple paragraphs that follow a logical order and
include relevant information that is properly cited. The basic structure of an informative essay is
very simple. It needs to have a beginning, middle, and end. These are known more formally as
the introduction, body, and conclusion, respectively.

The Introductory Paragraph


The beginning, otherwise known as the introduction, is your opportunity to present your
thesis statement and grab the attention of the reader. Your thesis statement must be one
sentence, making it very clear what the reader will be informed about.
A thesis statement is one sentence that expresses the main idea of an essay. It makes
a claim, directly answering a question.
The Body
The middle, otherwise known as the body, is your opportunity to expound upon the thesis
statement and grab the attention of the audience with solid facts, statistics, statements, and other
supporting details.
The body will be several paragraphs long, comprising the bulk of the essay. This is where
you'll provide further details about the main idea. Be sure you delve deeply into every area
previously outlined in the introduction.
The Conclusion
The end, otherwise known as the conclusion, is your opportunity to summarize the essay in a
paragraph or two. It should spur the reader to want to learn more about the topic. Be sure to reiterate
the thesis statement clearly. In your introduction, you may have laid out what would be covered in the
essay. Offer a sentence or two reiterating what was learned about those topic areas.

Sample Informative Essay


In the sample below, note a few things as you read. Try to keep an eye out for the thesis
statement in the first paragraph. Then, note the transition words in two of the body paragraphs.

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Types of Structure
Informational texts can use a variety of structures. Basically, you can adopt whichever
will best deliver your message. There are five common structures: cause and effect, compare
and contrast, sequential order, problem and solution, and description.

A. Cause and Effect is a common way to organize information in a text. Paragraphs


structured as cause and effect explain reasons why something happened or the effects of
something. These paragraphs can be ordered as causes and effects or as effects and
then causes.
To put it another way: when an author gives reasons why something happened,
he or she is explaining what caused an effect (reasons are causes and the thing that
happens is the effect).

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E-readingworksheets: Patterns of Organization - tinyurl.com/rnuenmm6

Here are some signal words that may indicate that information in a paragraph is
organized as cause and effect: because, as a result, resulted, caused, affected, since,
due to, effect.

B. Sequential order, or process writing as it is sometimes called, is when information in a


passage is organized by the order in which it occurs. This method of organizing text is
generally used for instructions or directions.
Sequential organization is frequently confused with chronological order. Texts organized
chronologically occur at a specific time and setting, whereas texts describing processes
or sequences do not occur at any specific time and place.
Unlike chronologically ordered texts, information organized sequentially does
not occur at any specific time but, rather, anytime.

Signal Words: First, next, before, lastly, then

Example:
How to Make Cookies.
First, get your materials. Then, make your dough. Lastly, cook your dough
at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/text-structure/patterns-of-organization/sequence/

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C. Compare and Contrast is a text structure or pattern of organization where the similarities
and differences of two or more things are explored. It is important to remember that with the
compare and contrast text structure the text should be discussing similarities and differences
Here are some signal words that may indicate that the text is written using
the compare and contrast organizational pattern: like, unlike, both, neither,
similar, however and different.

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/text-structure/patterns-of-organization/compare-and-contrast/

D. Problem and Solution is a pattern of organization where information in a passage is


expressed as a dilemma or concerning issue (a problem) and something that was, can be, or
should be done to remedy this issue (solution or attempted solution).
If you read the passage and look specifically for both a problem and a solution to
the problem, you should find it pretty easy to distinguish from cause and effect, as cause
and effect passages do not propose solutions to any negative occurrences within the
passage but rather just explain why or how they happen.

There are also a few signal words which may indicate that information in a
passage is ordered in the problem and solution pattern of organization: propose,
solution, answer, issue, problem, problematic, remedy, prevention, and fix.
Example: It seems like there has been a surge in teen pregnancies these days. Teen
pregnancies make it very difficult for young mothers to pursue their dreams and meet the
demands of an infant. Fortunately, most teen pregnancies can be easily prevented by
using birth control; however, even birth control is not 100% effective. The most effective
way to prevent teen pregnancies is abstinence, which is 100% effective.

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/text-structure/patterns-of-organization/problem-and-solution/

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E. Spatial organization is when information in a passage is organized in order of space or
location. It may also be called descriptive writing and it is most frequently used when the
narrator describes how something looks. Most fictional passages are organized
chronologically, but in paragraphs where the narrator is describing a setting or the appearance
of a character, the information may be organized spatially.
Some signal words that might indicate that the writer or speaker is following the
spatial pattern of organization include a wide sweeping array of prepositions: next to,
behind, across from, below that, above that, to the right of and so forth.
Example:
Volcanoes are a feared and destructive force for good reason. A volcano is like a
pressure valve for the inner earth, but they can also be very beautiful. One part of the
volcano that people rarely see is the magma chamber. The magma chamber is way
beneath the Earth’s bed rock. It is tremendously hot. Running from the magma chamber
to the crater of the volcano is the conduit. The conduit connects the magma chamber to
the outer world. At the top of the volcano is the crater. This is where the magma exits.
Volcanoes are a beautiful yet dangerous natural phenomenon.

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/text-structure/patterns-of-organization/spatial/

What’s More
Now that we have thoroughly discussed in this module what an informative text is
and likewise the structure and technique of writing an informative text, work on the
following activities to enhance your informative writing skills.

Activity 1: Identify what type of text structure is used in the following passages. Spot and
underscore the signal word/s used in each passage.

__________ 1. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is inevitably affecting


remittance-dependent countries through economic downturns in the destination countries,
and restrictions on travel and sending remittances to their home country. First, we confirm
that remittances are associated with welfare of households, particularly for those whose
head is male or lower educated. Then, we use the revision of the 2020 GDP projections
before and after the COVID-19 crisis to gauge potential impacts on households caused
by the pandemic.

___________ 2. One of the biggest challenges in most online learning is one-way


communication. There's no interaction between learner and teacher. The experience will
be very different and that transition can be difficult for many learners. The

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second problem with online learning is motivation. To fix these issues with online
learning, the best approach is to mix and match the approaches.

____________ 3. Both online and traditional classes require students to manage their
time wisely. In traditional classes, students structure their time outside of the classroom to
allow for studying, projects and homework. However, an online institution, states that with
the absence of regular class meetings, online courses require students to acquire and
learn course materials on their own time.

_____________ 4. Video game addiction is a serious problem in many parts of the world
today and deserves more attention. One common effect of video game addiction is
isolation and withdrawal from social experiences. Video game addiction may result in a
decline in overall health and hygiene. As a result, the social networking in these online
games often gives the users the impression that they are interacting socially, while their
true social lives and personal relations may suffer.

______________ 5. On the far right corner of my study table, there is a five-layer drawer.
A two-foot black electric fan is placed just beside it. My functioning black laptop is located
just next to it, in a vain effort to cool off the device. Behind the aforementioned items are
a row of books- textbooks, manga, fiction, and non-fiction. Their colorful spines decorated
my study table with life.

Activity 2: Read each paragraph. A graphic organizer is used to show the structure of
the text. Fill in the missing boxes with the appropriate info.

1. Having a cold is no fun. Coughing PROBLEM SOLUTION


makes it hard to fall asleep. A sore throat is
painful. Try some tea with honey in it. The
honey will soothe your throat. There may be
no cure for the common cold. You can treat
the symptoms though.

CAUSE EFFECT
2. Did you know that your tongue is a
muscle? It is. And it’s the only muscle that’s
covered in saliva and taste buds. Having You have
tastebuds stop you from eating rotten food. tastebuds.
Having saliva protects you from some
germs and bacteria. Gross, but helpful.

3. Dinosaurs can be carnivores or CARNIVORES HERBIVORES


herbivores. Carnivores have sharp teeth.
Herbivores have round teeth. Carnivores 1. 1.
eat meat. Herbivores eat plants. Now you
can look at a dinosaur’s teeth and you will
know which type it is. 2. 2. Eat plants.

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What I have Learned
Respond to the following short-answer essay questions about informational text. This
will summarize your learnings in this module. Although your answers will be brief, make sure to
answer clearly, concisely, and thoroughly.

Questions:
1. What are the features common in most informational texts? Explain the significance of
these features.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

2. Explain the difference between nonfiction and informational texts.


_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

3. A class syllabus, flyers, brochures, and website articles are all examples of informational text.
Provide other examples of informational text and explain what makes them informational.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do
Familiarizing yourself with the social issues teenagers struggle with today, select one
and write an informative essay following the correct structures and techniques that you
have learned from your previous readings in this module. You may choose from one of
the types of structures to organize your writings and be able to develop your thesis
statement comprehensively. Write your essay on a separate answer sheet.

Depression
Alcohol use
Academic problems
Peer pressure
Social media
On-screen violence

Assessment
A. Encircle the letters of the correct answers.
1. A picture or chart meant to add meaning to the text
A. pull quote B. graphic C. infomercial D. annotation

2. What is the purpose of a thesis statement?


A. to entertain the audience
B. to create a sentence with details
C. to provide text evidence
D. it states the main idea and tells what the text is all about
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3. When the author wanted his readers to understand a point, it is called ________.
A. attitude B. irony C. tone D. author’s purpose

4. Why do we need evidence in informational writing?


A. To prove people wrong B. To provide a conclusion
C. To explain what I want readers to understand D. To create unity in the text
5. What are signal words?
A. They tell you what direction to go
B. They tell the reader what page to look for information
C. They tell the reader where you got your information
D. They show how events and ideas
6. Which of the following is a characteristic of informative writing?

A. increase knowledge B. explain a procedure C. explain a


concept in-depth D. all of the given choices

7. Which of the following is another name for a “sequence” text structure?


A. step-by-step B. problem and solution C. chronological D. description

8. To determine the cause, ask yourself _____ something happened.


A. when B. where C. why D. how

9. This is a text structure where similarities and differences of two things are explored.
A. description B. sequence C. compare and contrast D. chronological

10. Which of the following items might contain an informative text?


A. a textbook B. directions on the package of a toy
C. an autobiography D. all of the given choices

B. Read the informative texts below and determine the text structure. Then, put information from
the text into the appropriate graphic organizer. Remember to focus on the main idea of each
paragraph.

Compare and Contrast


Cause and Effect

Similarities Differences

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1. No one knows exactly what causes tornados, but some scientists believe that when
warm air meets cold air, a tornado may form. The reason for this is that the warm air is lighter
than the cold air, so it rises up fast and meets different winds moving different directions. Under
the right conditions, this can cause a tornado. Though there is still much mystery surrounding
tornados, many people believe that when warm moist air meets cool dry air, tornados can result.

2. Most people have had red pizza, or pizza covered with red sauce, but have you ever
had white pizza? White pizza is made in almost the same way as red pizza: the dough rises and
is rolled out, toppings are applied, and it is cooked in an oven—but the key difference is that
white pizza does not have any tomato sauce on it. Instead, a white pizza may have olive oil or
no sauce at all. I like white pizza more than red pizza because you can really taste the
ingredients. Adding some fresh tomatoes to a white pizza will give it that tomato flavor without
the completely overwhelming taste of the red sauce that covers most pizzas. If you have not
had a white pizza, I recommend that you order or make one today.

Additional Activity
Look for an informative article from any sources. Study your chosen article and be able to
identify the technique and structure used. Be guided with the following details:

Title of the article/text: ____________________________


Thesis Statement:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Type of Structure Used: _________________________________________________


Signal Words found in the text: ___________________________________________

You did great! The lessons that you have learned from this module would help you
develop your writing skills. Now, you are ready to continue to the next module.

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Key to Corrections

Note: The rest of the activities may have varied .answers

.10 D
C .9
C .8
A .7
D .6
D .5
B .4

D .3
Passage 2 – Comparison and Contrast D .2
.B Passage 1 – Cause and effect B .1

Assessment

Spatial (on, next, behind) .5


Cause and effect (effect, may result, as a result) .4
Comparison and contrast (both, however) .3
Problem and solutions (problem, fix) .2
Sequential order (first, second) .1
Activity 1
What’s More!

take action to control the constant increase of .cases


Explanation: The increase in number of COVID asesc must have alerted the authorities to
Answer: B
Statement 3
.causes
the schools are independent issues, which must have been triggered by different individual
Explanation: Closing the schools for a week and the parents withdrawing their wards from
Answer: D
Statement 2
.causes
the international market must be backed up by independent increase in the same in
of petrol and diesel being stagnant in the domestic market and the Explanation: The prices
Answer: D
Re1 S
fer tatement
en Wh
ce at’s
s: Ne
w!
.10 A .9 B
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References:
Cause and Effect Questions and Answer. Accessed February 8, 2021
www.theonlinetestcentre.com/cause-effect.html#3

Types of Text Structures. Accessed February 9, 2021 tinyurl.com/rnuenmm6

What is Informational Text? Accessed February 5, 2021 tinyurl.com/zex74v42

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