Academic Text Structures – HANDOUT

Problem
Structure

Introduction:
Presents the
overview of the
problem or the
overall solution

Body: Explains the

problem and/or the
solution

Conclusion: Presents
the possible outcomes
or why the solution may
not be feasible.
 Thesis Structure

Introduction:
Presents the main
argument

Body: Presents
details that support
or defend the
argument

Conclusion: Presents
the summary of the
main points and/or
recommendations

Factual Report
Structure
Introduction: Presents
the main subject/topic
Body: Presents
details that explain
the topic/subject
Conclusion: Presents the
summary of the main points
and/or argumentative
conclusions based on facts
Note: It is important to distinguish between
a thesis argument and a factual report. 
Sometimes thesis arguments are disguised
as factual reports, especially on the Web. 
In addition, just like newspapers, factual
reports are supposed to offer only facts but
may--by leaving out some facts and giving
others a narrow interpretation--offer a
biased version of factual reality.  You need
to pay attention to the value of the
information and its sources.
Source:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~jewel001/CollegeW
riting/WRITEREAD/HowToRead.htm#Struct
ures