Scribd
Upload
13 views3 pages

Text Structures

The document discusses six common text structures used in writing: chronological, events/enumeration/description, definition, cause and effect, problem and solution, sequence/process, and spatial/descriptive. Each structure is defined and examples are provided of how it organizes information and key signal words that indicate its use.

Uploaded by

Aljelyne Keith
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views3 pages

Text Structures

The document discusses six common text structures used in writing: chronological, events/enumeration/description, definition, cause and effect, problem and solution, sequence/process, and spatial/descriptive. Each structure is defined and examples are provided of how it organizes information and key signal words that indicate its use.

Uploaded by

Aljelyne Keith
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

TEXT STRUCTURES o Cause: Students did not learn the

material.
TEXT STRUCTURES o Effect: They performed poorly on the
test.
 Refers to the way an author arranges
 Do not confuse with chronological.
information in his writing.
 How information in a passage is organized.  Do not have a beginning, middle, and end.
 Text structure enables authors to organize their  Time won’t progress much.
thoughts as they write. It also helps the reader  Signal Words
in that it provides a structure in which o as a result of,
information can be found and understood as it o because of,
is read. o thus, for
o theses
SIX COMMON PATTERNS: o reasons
CHRONOLOGICAL
COMPARE AND CONTRAST
 Information is organized in order of time.
 Chrono = time Logic = order  This pattern shows similarities and
 This pattern is found in most narrative texts, dissimilarities between objects, actions, ideas,
where the plot unfolds over time; more complex or processes; headings and subheadings
texts use literary devices, such as flashback generally provide extra support/signals to
and foreshadowing to implicitly establish time readers about this structure; often one
order. paragraph is dedicated to similarities and
another to differences.
EVENTS/ ENUMERATION/ DESCRIPTION  Tells how two things are similar and different.
STRUCTURE  Signal Words
 This pattern usually covers a larger piece of o in contrast,
writing rather than a single paragraph. An o similar to,
introductory paragraph is provided which states o while, as
the topic and facilitates the listing or elaboration o opposed to,
of important descriptions, characteristics, or o whereas
attributes.

DEFINITION STRUCTURE PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

 Typically this pattern includes a "definition" and  This pattern may follow a number of different
examples of class membership/type, attributes, forms; at one extreme, the problem and solution
and functions; It may also include the parts and are labeled as such; at the other extreme, the
the relationship between the parts or structure pattern is a series of questions and answers
and function; in some instances, it will include that may or may not lead to a resolution of the
ways something is similar to or different from problem or issue.
other things.  A problem and answer are suggested.
o Problem: Property is being spray
painted.
CAUSE AND EFFECT o Solution: Require a license to buy spray
paint.
 Unlike the sequence pattern, this pattern carries
the implication that the effect is produced by a  Do not confuse with cause and effect.
specific cause or that the consequences follow  It is presented as a PROBLEM.
from the specified antecedents; this might be  Signal Words
found in a discussion of science investigation o the problem
results or historical articles linking multiple o solution is,
causes and effects. o the difficulty is,
 An action and its results are explained.
 Example:
SEQUENCE / PROCESS
 In this pattern, steps or phases of a process or
project are specified without cause-effect
relationships being implied; a recipe or
procedure for a science investigating would be
examples of differing complexity
 Do not confuse with chronological!
 Does not occur at a specific time.
 Signal Words
o First
o Second
o Last
o Next
o Then
o Before

SPATIAL / DESCRIPTIVE

 Racial is to race as spatial is to space.


 Describes something in order of space.
 Describes how something looks.
 Signal Words
o Characteristics are
o To illustrate
o One example,
o In addition
 Tips to Identify
1. Ask, "what is the author doing in this
paragraph?" Put it in your own words..
2. Have a hunch? Use the graphic organizer to
see if the info fits.
3. Look for signal words.

You might also like