Text Structure

Understanding How Our Texts Are Organized

What do you mean when you say “text structure?” When we talk about text structure, we are

talking about nonfiction organizational patterns.

So, in short, how a text is organized.

Why is it important to know how a text is organized?

Text Structure 101

Nonfiction texts can be written using many different text structures.

Each paragraph may be different.

Do these look familiar? Cause and Effect Compare and Contrast Chronological Order Problem and Solution Sequence Descriptive

Cause and Effect Details are arranged to establish a logical

relationship between a result and the events that preceded it.

Sometimes we are given the cause and have to identify the effect.

Other times we are given the effect and have to identify the cause.

Signal Words Because As a result Resulted Caused Affected Effect

Since May be due to Lead to Consequently Therefore Thereby

ExampleI started out life as a pretty baby and learned to be a pretty girl from a pretty mother. Then at ten years of age I suffered one of the worst cases of chicken pox I have ever heard of. My entire body, including the inside of my ears and in between my toes, was covered with pustules which in a fit of panic at my appearance I scratch off my face, leaving permanent scars. A cruel school nurse told me I would always have them – tiny cuts that looked as if a mad cat had plunged its claws deep into my skin. I grew my hair long and hid behind it for the first years of my adolescence. This was when I learned to be invisible.

ExampleI started out life as a pretty baby and learned to be a pretty girl from a pretty mother. Then at ten years of age I suffered one of the worst cases of chicken pox I have ever heard of. (1)My entire body, including the inside of my ears and in between my toes, was covered with pustules which in a fit of panic at my appearance I scratch off my face, leaving (2)permanent scars. A cruel school nurse told me I would always have them – tiny cuts that looked as if a mad cat had plunged its claws deep into my skin. I grew my hair long and hid behind it for the first years of my adolescence. This was when (3)I learned to be invisible.

Compare and Contrast Two or more things are described. The similarities (compare) and differences

(contrast) are discussed.

Signal Words Like Unlike Both Neither Similar to Different from However Not only—but also

By contrast Yet In comparison Although On the other hand Instead of Unless

ExampleIn August 1862, Union and Confederate armies converged for a second time on the plains of Manassas. The naïve enthusiasm that preceded the earlier encounter was gone. War was not the holiday outing or grand adventure envisioned by the young recruits of 1861. The contending forces, now made up of seasoned veterans, knew well the reality of war. The Second Battle of Bull Run, covering three days, produced far greater carnage – 3,300 killed – and brought the Confederacy to the height of its power.

ExampleIn August 1862, Union and Confederate armies converged for a second time on the plains of Manassas. (1)The naïve enthusiasm that preceded the earlier encounter was gone. (2)War was not the holiday outing or grand adventure envisioned by the young recruits of 1861. (3)The contending forces, now made up of seasoned veterans, knew well the reality of war. (4)The Second Battle of Bull Run, covering three days, produced far greater carnage – 3,300 killed – and brought the Confederacy to the height of its power.

Chronological Order Information in the

passage is organized in order of time.

Chrono = time Logic = order

Information is told chronologically.

Signal Words First Finally Before Now Later When Next Then During

Soon After Secondly Eventually Meanwhile Initially Beginning with Not long after

ExampleAs the sun went down and the evening chill came on, we made preparation for bed. Next, we hunted up our boots from odd nooks among the mail-bags where they had settled, and put them on. Then we got down our coats, vests, and heavy woolen shirts and clothed ourselves in them. Finally, we rolled ourselves up like silk-worms, each person in his own blanket, and sank peacefully to sleep.

Example(1)As the sun went down and the evening chill came on, we made preparation for bed. (2)Next, we hunted up our boots from odd nooks among the mail-bags where they had settled, and put them on. (3)Then we got down our coats, vests, and heavy woolen shirts and clothed ourselves in them. (4)Finally, we rolled ourselves up like silk-worms, each person in his own blanket, and sank peacefully to sleep.

Sequence Information is organized

in steps, or a process is explained, in 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.  

Signal Words First Next Before Lastly Then

Problem and Solution A problem is described and a response or

solution is proposed or explained. Problem and solution is VERY similar to cause

and effect, but includes an opinion and an answer to a problem.

Signal Words Proposes Suggests Solution Answer Remedy Prevention

The question is One answer is One reason for Recommendations

include Fix

Descriptive It is most frequently used when the narrator

describes how something looks.

Signal Words Next to Behind Across from Below that Above that To the right of

ExampleI went out onto the sidewalk and walked down toward the Boulevard St. Michel, passed the tables of the Rotonde, still crowded, looked across the street at the Dome, its tables running out to the edge of the pavement. Someone waved at me from a table, I did not see who it was and went on. I wanted to get home. The Boulevard Montparnasse was deserted.

ExampleI went out onto the sidewalk and (1)walked down toward the Boulevard St. Michel, (2)passed the tables of the Rotonde, still crowded, looked across the street at (3)the Dome, its tables running out to the edge of the pavement. Someone waved at me from a table, I did not see who it was and went on. I wanted to get home. (4) The Boulevard Montparnasse was deserted.