LESSON 4: TEXT STRUCTURE

COMMON TEXT STRUCTURES

What is a text structure?

A text structure 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. A structure means the
way different components combine to create a well-
written text.
1. CHRONOLOGICAL
It is also known as time order. This structure is organized
from one point in time to another. Most narratives follow
this pattern. The elements such as “flashback and
foreshadowing” are sometimes used in such texts. The
dominant feature of a chronological text structure is
“time order.”
EXAMPLE:

Topic: The Great Wall of China

Building the great wall of China goes back to the Qin Dynasty
period (221_206 BC). During the Ham Dynasty period, the
new fragments of the wall were added in 206 BC_ 220 AD.
The Great Wall of China was completed during the Mig
Dynasty period in 1644.
The author explain the information of the text based on a chronological
order. Thus, the succession of the information must be in time order in
this pattern. For example, if you want to write a composition about “the
first day of your school”, then you should follow this pattern because you
want to tell the events in a chronological order.

Many authors of stories and novels use this type of text structure to
convey the events and the circumstances of the novels or the stories. It is
also can be seen in narrative essays. The elements of a narration usually
come together in a chronological sequence.
2. SEQUENCE

Steps described in the order they occur. It does not take place in a
specific point in time. The focus of this pattern is the procedure or
phases of a certain result. Sequence or process pattern expresses
the steps of a certain process or project. The steps are stated in a
chronological order. Thus, all the phases are explained step by step.
You should write all the components of an essay in a logical order.
You can see the words showing the order of the process such as
“first”, “then”, “second” and so on in this pattern.
Example:
Topic: Chocolate Cake Recipe
You should mix the dry ingredients including flour, sugar,
cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso
powder by a paddle attachment to make a delicious chocolate
cake. Then, you should add the other ingredients including
milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to the flour mixture. In
the end, add boiling water to bake the cake for 30-35
minutes.
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. This type of text emphasizes the reasons
and consequences.
Example:
Topic: Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a serious illness affecting the lungs and

breathing process. The cause of pneumonia are viruses,
bacteria, and fungi. Also, Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus) is the common cause of pneumonia speed
in the United States.
4. Problem-Solution
The text 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. The words such as “reason, as a result, so
that, and consequently” are seen a lot in problem and solution
structures. The conclusion paragraph of a problem and solution
structure is often the resolution of the problem. Problem and
solution text structure can also refer to more than one problem
and their possible solutions in the situation.
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.
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. The keywords of such text type are usually “same as, different
from, although, whereas, while, like, and in contrast.” Authors usually
dedicate one paragraph for similarities and the other one for
differences. The differences and similarities must be written so well
organized that the reader never gets lost or confuses.
Example:
Topic: City Life and Village Life

The lifestyles of urban and rural people differ in many

ways. The rural people are exposed to cleaner air and
water while the urban people spend most of their time in
traffic and polluted unhealthy air. There are many
modern buildings in cities where’s villages have more
natural beautiful attractions.
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.
Thank you!