ABSTRACT
“Today we are going to talk about the different text structures that nonfiction authors use in their writing,” I announced to a group of eighth graders. A collective groan went up from the group. I paused before turning to the Smartboard and asked, “What’s the matter?” Hands flew in the air. “Dr. Wilfong, no offense,” Taylor said, “but we learn this every year.” “But on the pretest, you all only knew one text structure well enough to identify it,” I replied, gesturing to the pile of entrance slips on the table. “Well,” Jose continued, speaking on behalf of the class, “we learned about it but it is obviously not important enough to remember for next year.”
