Text structure refers to the way authors organize information in text. Understanding the underlying structure of texts can help readers focus attention on key concepts and relationships, anticipate what is to come, and monitor their comprehension as they read. There are several types of text structures, including:
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Narrative: This structure narrates an event or story with characters, setting, conflict, point of view, and plot. It uses descriptive language to answer questions such as who the narrative is about, where it is set, what the conflict is, who is telling the narrative, and what is happening.
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Cause and Effect: This structure provides explanations or reasons for phenomena. It uses words such as if/then, reasons why, as a result, therefore, because, consequently, since, so that, and for to answer questions such as what happened, why did it happen, and what caused it to happen.
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Description: This structure describes a topic in detail. It uses sensory details to help readers visualize the topic and answer questions such as what does it look like, what does it feel like, what does it smell like, and what does it sound like.
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Sequence: This structure presents information in a step-by-step order. It uses words such as first, next, then, finally, and afterward to answer questions such as what happened first, what happened next, and what happened last.
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Problem and Solution: This structure presents a problem and offers one or more solutions. It uses words such as problem, solution, issue, challenge, and fix to answer questions such as what is the problem, what are the possible solutions, and what is the best solution.
Identifying the text structure can help readers comprehend the text more easily. Text features such as headings, subheadings, and graphic organizers can also help readers identify the structure of a text. Teachers can play a role in developing students awareness of text structures by providing explicit instruction and pointing out examples of the structures found in different types of writing.
