The structure of a text refers to the way the author organizes the
information. It's how a piece of writing is put together.
Signal words provide clues about which text structure is present. A text
may have more than one text structure.
These are the five main text structures:
Description
A descriptive text provides descriptive details or examples. It tells the who,
what, when, where, why, and how.
Compare and Contrast
A compare-and-contrast text uses comparisons to describe ideas to
readers. It tells how things are similar or different.
Problem and Solution
A problem-solution text identifies one or more problems and presents one
or more solutions.
Cause and Effect
A cause-and-effect text explains cause-and-effect relationships. It tells why
something happened (the cause) and what was the result (the effect).
Sequence
A sequence or order text structure lists items or events in order, or in
sequence. Chronological texts present events in time order, from beginning
to end. How-to texts organize information in a series of steps or directions
Other text structures may include:
- Compare and Contrast: This type of structure highlights the similarities and differences between two or more subjects or ideas.
- Problem-Solution: Presents a problem and then offers one or more solutions to address it.
- Cause and Effect: Explains the relationship between events or situations where one event leads to the other.
- Chronological/Sequence: Presents information in the order in which events occurred or steps should be followed. Can be used in biographies, historical texts, or instructional manuals.
These text structures help readers better understand and process information by providing a clear and organized framework for the content. By recognizing the different text structures, readers can more easily comprehend the main ideas and arguments presented in a piece of writing.