TEXT STRUCTURE

Learning objectives :

At the end of the discussion, I CAN…

1.Identify the different structures of a text;
2. Determine the text structure used in a text;
3.Create a graphic organizer appropriate for the
text structure employed in a text; and
4.Relate the acquired information with one’s life
experience.
Text Structure

It refers to the internal organization of a

text. According to Meyer (1985), as authors
write a text a text to communicate an idea,
they will use a structure that goes along with
the idea.
-It refers to the way authors
organize information in text.
Recognizing the underlying structure
of texts can help students focus
attention on key concepts and
relationships, anticipate what is to
come, and monitor their
comprehension as they read.
NOTE :Structure is an important
feature of academic writing. A well-
structured text enables the reader
to follow the argument and navigate
the text. In academic writing a clear
structure and a logical flow are
imperative to a cohesive text.
Source: https://lnu.se/en/library/Writing-and-referencing/the-structure-of-academic-texts/
Common Text Structures:
1. Chronological Order
2. Sequence
3. Cause and Effect
4. Problem Solution
5. Compare and Contrast
6. Exemplification/Classification
7. Persuasion
1.Chronological Order

It is also known as time order. This

structure is organized from one
point in time to another.
2. Sequence

Steps described in the order they

occur. It does not take place in a
specific point in time.
3. Cause-Effect

This structure shows how one or more

causes led to one or more effects. Many texts
do not include just one cause leading to one
effect– instead, there may be several causes
and several effects.
4.Problem-Solution

 Thetext structure presents a problem, and

shows how it can be (or has been) solved.
The key difference between cause-effect
and problem-solution is that the latter
always present a solution while the former
does not.
5. Compare-Contrast
-This text structure shows how two or more
ideas or items are similar or different. The
text may use a clustered approach, with
details about one topic followed by the
details about the other. It may also show an
alternating approach, with the author going
back between the two topics.
6. Exemplification/Classification

An exemplification paragraph develops a general

statement--the topic sentence--with one or more
specific examples. A classification paragraph divides
things into groups, classes, or categories. It also
organizes ideas into divisions based on criteria or
standards.
7. Persuasion

This text structure convinces readers

to agree to an argument or claim
about a particular topic.
How does text structure help readers?

 Asit turns out, a knowledge of text structure

can be very helpful for readers. When
readers do not have a strong knowledge of
the topic of a text, they depend more on the
structure (Cataldo & Oakhill). A well-written
text guides the reader through the content.
 Research shows that efficient searchers use
the structure of the text can help them
find specific information, and make and
interpret arguments. The structure of the a
text can help readers find answers to
questions, as well. Text structure is also an
important component to summarizing.
When readers summarize, they need to
reflect the text structure in the summary.