Which of the following strategies would be most effective for helping students understand the cause-and-effect structure of a nonfiction text?

The strategy of asking students to identify signal words such as "because" and "therefore" is particularly effective in helping them understand the cause-and-effect structure of a nonfiction text. Signal words serve as indicators of relationships between ideas, guiding readers to recognize how one event or idea causes another. For instance, when students see "because," they can infer that what follows is the reason for something, while "therefore" indicates a conclusion or result stemming from previous information. This direct connection to cause and effect is crucial for deeper comprehension of the text.

By focusing on these signal words, students develop the ability to dissect and analyze the structure of arguments and explanations within nonfiction writing, enhancing their overall understanding of the material. Identifying these words makes it easier for students to see an author's reasoning and the logical progression of ideas, which is foundational in nonfiction comprehension.