LESSON 2

UNDERSTANDING TEXT STRUCTURE

 WHAT IS TEXT STRUCTURE?

 Merriam Webster define “structure” as action of building and something arranged

in a definite pattern of organization. Text also was defined as something
considered as an object to be examined. The original words and form of a written
or printed work. How about text structure?
 According to Emily Kissner, structure is the building or framework, then text
structure refers to how a piece of text is built. Writers use different structures to
build their ideas. Each text structure communicates ideas in a different way.
 The term “text structure” refers to how information is organized in a
passage. The structure of a text can changes many times in a work and even
within a paragraph.
TYPES OF TEXT STRUCTURE

1. Cause and Effect

2. Chronological Order
3. Compare and Contrast
4. Order of Importance
5. Problem and Solution
6. Sequence
7. Spatial Description
CAUSE AND EFFECT

 Paragraphs structured as cause and effect explain reasons why

something happened or the effects of something. These
paragraphs can be ordered as causes and effects or as effects
and then causes. The cause and effect text structure is generally
used in expository and persuasive writing modes.
EXAMPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT
 Many people think that they can get sick by going into cold weather improperly dressed;
however, illnesses are not caused by temperature- they are caused by germs. So, while
shivering outside in the cold probably won’t strengthen your immune system, you’re more likely
to contract an illness indoors because you will have a greater exposure to germs.
 Signal words: because, as a result, resulted, caused, affected, since, due to, effect.
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

 When information in a passage is organized by the time in

which each event occurred, it is organized chronologically.
 Fiction passages or narratives are more subtle and are
organized chronologically but usually have no dates. A
narratives or story is a journey through time, and all of the
events are arranged in order of time; therefore, every story
has a beginning, middle, and end.
 EXAMPLE OF CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

 This morning was crazy. My alarm clock was set for PM instead of AM, so I woke up really late. I just threw
on some clothes and ran out the door. I rode my bike as fast as I could and thought that I was going to be
late for sure, but when I got there everyone was outside and there were firetrucks all lined up in front of
school. I guess somebody pulled the fire alarm before class started. It worked out though, because nobody
really noticed or minded that I was tardy.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST

 Text structure or pattern of organization where the similarities and differences

of two or more things are explored.
 It is important to remember that with the compare and contrast text structure
the text should be discussing similarities and differences. If the text only
discusses similarities, it is only comparing. Likewise, if it only discusses ways
that the things are different, it is only contrasting. The text must do both to be
considered compare and contrast.
 EXAMPLE OF COMPARE AND CONTRAST

 Apples and oranges are both fruits, which means that they have seeds inside of them. Each has a skin,
but orange skins are thick and easy to peel. Apple skins are thinner and do not peel easily. Oranges also
contain more acid than apples, but both fruits are delicious.
 Signal words: like, unlike, both, neither, similar, and different.
ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

 Ideas or steps are prioritized by the writer or speaker according to a hierarchy

of value. When using the order of importance pattern of organization,
information can be structured from most important to least important or least
important to most important. Both structures would be considered as the
order of importance text structure.
 EXAMPLE OF ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

 The company has a clearly laid out hierarchy. All major decisions go through the president,
who controls the entire operation, but most daily decisions go to the board. Beneath the
board members are the regional managers, who oversee the branch managers, who run
each local branch.
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

Pattern of organization where information in a passage is

expressed as a dilemma or concerning issue (a problem)
and something that was, can be, or should be done to
remedy this issue (solution or attempted solution).
EXAMPLE OF PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
 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.
SEQUENCE

Sequential order or process writing as it is sometimes

called, is when information in a passage is organized by
the order in which it occurs. This method of organizing text
is generally used for instructions or directions, but it can
also be used to explain processes in nature or society,
such as how a president is elected.
EXAMPLE OF SEQUENCE

 How to Make Cookies. First, get your materials. Then, make your dough.
Lastly, cook your dough at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
SPATIAL DESCRIPTION

 Spatial organization is when information in a passage is organized

in order of space or location. If you were to describe the room in
which you were sitting right now, you would be using spatial
organization. Spatial organization may also be called descriptive
writing and it is most frequently used when the narrator describes
how something looks.
 EXAMPLE OF SPATIAL DESCRIPTION
 Volcanoes are a feared and destructive force for good reason. A volcano is like a pressure valve for the
inner earth, but they can also be very beautiful. One part of the volcano that people rarely see is the
magma chamber. The magma chamber is way beneath the Earth’s bed rock. It is tremendously hot.
Running from the magma chamber to the crater of the volcano is the conduit. The conduit connects the
magma chamber to the outer world. At the top of the volcano is the crater. This is where the magma
exits. Volcanoes are a beautiful yet dangerous natural phenomenon.

Signal words that might indicate that the writer or speaker is following the spatial pattern of organization include
a wide sweeping array of prepositions, some of which I will now list: next to, behind, across from, below that,
above that, to the right of and so forth.