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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.

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Aljelyne Keith
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10 views

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
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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.

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