English for Academic and Professional Purposes 12

SVDPA eCLASSROOM

Lesson 1

TEXT STRUCTURE
Ms. Kristine Ventura

INTRODUCTION
One assumption that many teachers make is that a student who is a proficient reader of literature will, in
turn, be a proficient reader of expository texts. That is not necessarily so.
The trouble that many good readers of literature tend to have with expository texts has to do, in part, with
text structure. Text structure refers to how the text is organized. For example, a text might present a main
idea and then details, a cause and then its effects, an effect and the causes, two different views of a topic,
etc.
While most pieces of fiction follow the same or similar general organizational patterns, different
expository texts can have very different text structures. Therefore, it is important to teach students to
recognize common text structures found in expository texts.
Purpose
Teaching students to recognize common text structures found in expository texts can help
students monitor their comprehension. Attempting to identify the text structure early on in the
reading of a new text encourages the reader to question how subsequent sections of the text fit
into the identified text structure. 
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If a subsequent section does not seem to fit into that text structure, the reader is faced with one of
two possibilities. Either the reader needs to reevaluate the choice of text structure, or he or she
needs to reevaluate his or her understanding of the text. Either way, the process of identifying the
text structure will encourage the reader to monitor his or her comprehension of the text.

How to Teach Readers to Use Text Structure

 Introduce the idea that expository texts have a text structure. Explain to students that
expository texts (such as the text in their science and social studies textbooks) have
different organizational patterns. These organizational patters are called text structures.

 Introduce the following common text structures. Explain that text structures can often be
identified by certain signal words.

Read and analyze the graph below that shows the Types of Text Structure
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Signal
 Text Structure  Description
Words

Description/List This structure resembles an For example, for

Structure outline. Each section opens with instance, specifically, in
its main idea, then elaborates on particular, in addition
it, sometimes dividing the
elaboration into subsections.
EXAMPLE: A book may tell all
about whales or describe what
the geography is like in a
particular region.

Cause and Effect In texts that follow this structure, Consequently, therefore,
Structure the reader is told the result of an as a result, thereby, leads
event or occurrence and the to
reasons it happened.
EXAMPLE: Weather patterns
could be described that explain
why a big snowstorm occurred.

 Comparison/ Texts that follow this structure However, unlike, like, by

Contrast tell about the differences and contrast, yet, in
Structure similarities of two or more comparison, although,
objects, places, events or ideas by whereas, similar to,
grouping their traits for different from
comparison.
EXAMPLE: A book about ancient
Greece may explain how the
Spartan women were different
from the Athenian women.

Order/Sequence Texts that follow this structure Next, first, last, second,
Structure tell the order in which steps in a another, then,
process or series of events occur. additionally
EXAMPLE: A book about the
American revolution might list
the events leading to the war. In
another book, steps involved in
harvesting blue crabs might be
told.

REMINDER: The last TYPE of Text Structure is “Problem & Solution” that can be
found on the picture below.
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How does text structure help readers?

As it turns out, a knowledge of text structure can be very helpful for readers. When readers do
not have a strong knowledge of the topic of a text, they depend more on the structure. A well-
written text guides the reader through the content. Research shows that efficient searchers use the
structure of the text to help them find specific information. The structure of a text can help
readers find answers to questions, as well. For example, knowing that causes come before effects
can help students to narrow their search as they’re trying to find the answer to a question. Text
structure is also an important component to summarizing, When readers summarize, they need to
reflect the text structure in the summary.

Text features also help readers determine what is important to the text and to them. Without a

table of contents or an index, readers  can spend wasted time flipping through the book to find
the information they need. Special print helps draw the attention of the reader to important or
key words and phrases.

Why is the structure of a text important?

This strategy helps students understand that a text might present a main idea and details; a cause
and then its effects; and/or different views of a topic. Teaching students to recognize
common text structures can help students monitor their comprehension.

Preview
Informational text is nonfiction writing, written with the intention of informing the reader about a
specific topic. It is typically found in magazines, science or history books, autobiographies and instruction
manuals
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Exercise #1
Directions: Construct One paragraph for
each Type of Text Structures.

1. Write a story about the places that

you’ve visited on a family trip.

2. Write a paragraph about baking any

pastries.

3. Write a paragraph about the youths

before and now a days.

4. Write a paragraph about the famous

COVID19.

5. Choose one current issue.

Homework #1

Instructions: Search for

novels/news/books/ etc.
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(You may use movie clips or short video clips) and tell what kind of Text structures are being
used. (One for each type)

Example:

Video Clip - (Spongebob Squarepants)

Type of Text Structure - (Sequence)

King Neptune's Poseidon Powder Aioli (CRABY PATTY)

First, stir mayo and Old Bay until thoroughly combined. Second, Assemble the Sandwich: Spread
Poseidon Powder Aioli on the bottom of each bun. Third, Top with a burger patty, ketchup, mustard,
pickles, onion slices, tomato and lettuce. Then place the top bun on each burger.