English for Academic and Professional Purposes

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The Structures of Academic Texts

Module 004: The Structures of

Academic Texts

This module describes common structures in academic writing.

Structure should be considered on all levels of text so you will
also find information in organizing paragraphs. A well –written
text follows an established structure. It is the most important
feature of academic writing. The structure of a text refers to the
organization of the whole text. Writers plan how they would
present their article or essay. This involves presenting
information and ideas that can easily be followed by the
readers. To analyze a text's structure, you need to think
critically about the reading passage and try to discover the
organizational plan the writer is using. From paragraph to a
longer text structure is very important in any form of academic
writing. It is a coherent form of organizing a piece of writing.
Readers can follow a proposition or argument of a well –
structured and coherent text.
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
a. analyze the structures of academic text in different articles.
b. locate the thesis statement, topic sentences and concluding
sentences.
c. use transition signals correctly.
d. label the category of transition signals
e. use appropriate transition word in paragraph.
f. compose an essay using the thesis structure

The Thesis Structure

Like reading, writing is a skill significant in a communicative

process. Thus, it provides learners with the opportunity to use
the language with accuracy and content organization. Writing
an essay , literary text, or any academic text requires expanding
one‘s ideas, correct sentence construction and coherent
paragraph assembly.

A sentence is a grammatically independent unit. A paragraph is

a group of sentences dealing with one single idea. A standard
paragraph consist of a topic sentence, supporting details and

Course Module
 concluding sentences that relate to one main idea. A topic
sentence stresses the main idea of a paragraph.

Study how the sentences are organized into a coherent

paragraph.

The usefulness of polygraphs is still being debated

today. Polygraphs are instruments that monitor a person’s
physiological reactions. People call them “lie detectors,” but these
instruments do not detect lies. They can only detect whether
misleading behavior is being displayed. In some cases, a truthful
person may be considered a liar because he or she was nervous or
embarrassed during the examination. Furthermore, the instrument
may not be able to detect the physiological changes in habitual liars.

1. The topic sentence: The usefulness of polygraphs is still being

debated today.
2. Supporting details:
a. Polygraphs are instruments that monitor a person’s
physiological reactions.
b. People call them “lie detectors,” but these instruments do not
detect lies.
c. They can only detect whether misleading behavior is being
displayed.
d. In some cases, a truthful person may be considered a liar
because he or she was nervous or embarrassed during
the examination.

3. Concluding sentence : Furthermore, the instrument may not

be able to detect the physiological changes in habitual liars.

 Analyzing the content of the paragraph above, the topic sentence

expresses the main idea.
The supporting sentences explain the main idea.
The concluding sentence summarizes the main idea .

Common Structures of Academic Text

The structure of a text depends on the academic field. Many

disciplines follow their own format and structure of the text.
There are three common structures that are used in many
academic settings. The thesis structure, the problem – solution
structure and the factual structure.
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The Structures of Academic Texts

A. The Thesis Structure

It is the basic pattern in writing. The thesis is what the writer
presents first by laying down his or her primary argument
about an important subject . Reasons and supporting details are
presented to prove his or her argument.

Components of a Thesis Structure

I - Introduction – usually the first paragraph of short essay. The
section where the argument is presented. It can be placed
either on the beginning or ending of the introductory
paragraph. It shows you how the author will discuss the
central idea and how the discussion will be organized.
II – Body – Explains by giving details about the thesis or main
argument presented in the introduction. It consists of
several sections or paragraphs. Each main section starts with
a topic sentence that states a new reason why the main
argument or thesis is true. Supporting details are important
in this section to provide evidences to the thesis statement
or main argument.

III – Conclusion – the final paragraph which reaches the final

argumentative conclusion. It restates the main argument in
the introductory part but in another words. A conclusion
“ties up” a selection and drives the key point home.

Reading tips:
The structure of a paragraph consists of a topic sentence, supporting
sentences, and a concluding sentence that relate to one main idea. The topic
sentence stresses the main idea while the supporting sentences provide details
about the main idea. Both the supporting and concluding sentences add
interest and maintain coherence.
Writing tips:
In presenting your ideas and points in writing, remember PIE:
Points/Hook – topic sentence
Information - (Prove your point: Evidence, a story, a quote, data,
reason, research)
Explanation - Why does this point matter to your topic?

Course Module
 An introduction gives you a look ahead at the text that you are
just beginning to read.
Locating the thesis statement / main thesis can be done by
looking at the introduction and reading the conclusion.
Every paragraph of an academic text has a topic sentence
which is the main point the author wants to emphasize. In
looking for the topic sentence, simply look at the beginning of
each paragraph or read the last part of the paragraph because it
is usually repeated or rephrased in another way.
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Using Transitional Devices

Understanding how to arrange sentences and organize paragraphs will
help you achieve coherence in writing academic texts. In both academic
writing and professional writing, your goal is to convey information
clearly and concisely. Transitions help you to achieve these goals by
establishing logical connections between sentences, paragraphs, and
sections of your papers.

Transition signals are words and phrases that help readers

organized their thoughts in writing to achieve unity and coherence.

Uses of transition signals:

 To clarify sequencing
 To emphasize a comparison
 To introduce a contrast
 To present a result
 To add information
Table 1: Meaning and Relationship of Transition Signals

ADDITION CONTRAST EXAMPLE/ SEQUENCE COMPARISON RESULT OR

CONSEQUENCE
ILLUSTRATION

additionally however For example first likewise accordingly

also Nevertheless For instance Second similarly As a result

Besides Nonetheless In fact Third Consequently

Furthermore Otherwise specifically Next Therefore

In addition Yet Then thus

moreover in contrast finally For that reason

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The Structures of Academic Texts

Key points from the examples below:

1. Calvin wanted to fly to the moon. However, he did not know

how.
(however – a difference between expectation and reality.)
2. Minnesota is bitterly cold in the winter. On the other hand, it is
one of the most scenic states.
(on the other hand - two contrasting ideas are compared to a
single topic. Minnesota is bad in one aspect but good in
another.)
3. He threshed the wheat. In addition, his children hoed the corn.
( In addition – similar with “and”)
4. Smith probably committed the crime. He had a guilty look on
his face. Moreover, the police found a gun under his bed.
(Moreover- used in arguments where several premises are
used to support a conclusion.
5. Furthermore is used like moreover. Furthermore is used
with more than two premises.
6. Similarly and likewise are used when the two clauses support
a conclusion as supporting examples.
7. Thus and therefore are much alike. Thus may be used for
“asides”. Therefore means result based on the given facts.
8. Consequently used to signal real cause between two events or
conditions.
EXAMPLE 2: Meaning of Transitions Used

Although many of us talk about being environmentally

responsible and believing in saving our planet, the reality is,
however, that most people are not as ecologically concerned as
they ought to be. For instance, we say we recycle, and we might
separate out newspapers and Coke cans from our regular
garbage; nevertheless, how many so-called recyclers are aware
that much of our recycling goes into the regular garbage landfill?
And, if we are aware of this, do we do anything about it? In
addition, do we bring used grocery bags to the store with us to
put our groceries in, or is it just too much trouble to do so?
Finally, how many people really make an effort to carpool?
Granted people’s schedules vary, and we don’t like to be kept
waiting; however, a few minutes’ wait for a couple colleagues

Course Module
could make a carpool instead of each driving home alone in his or
her own gas-guzzling SUV.
________________________________________________________
Paragraph above starts out with an although countered with
however that signal the argument for the writer. For instance is a
cue for an example to follow. Nevertheless indicates a mild
contrast; a cue to pay attention to what is being said. In addition
signals more information. Finally is a cue for the reader that
things are winding down. However is used as the last
contrasting idea.
Example 3: Transitions and Punctuation Marks

1) Georgia’s driving test was in five minutes, and this time

she was more confident than
ever. Finally, she would be able to get her driver’s license.

A comma:
As you may have noticed, the underlined transition word is
followed by a comma. Remember to use a comma to separate the
transition word from the rest of the sentence.

A semi-colon:
Use semi-colon instead of a period when using transition
words in connecting two independent clauses. Then An
independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a
complete sentence.

 Independent clause + semicolon + transition word +

comma + independent clause

Note that when a semicolon is used instead of a period, a comma

will still be used to separate the transition word from the rest of
the sentence. This rule is also shown in the examples below.

 The truck driver knew that he was too tired to continue

driving; thus, he checked into a hotel for the night.
 Barbara returned home after curfew last night;
consequently, she is grounded for two weeks.
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Avoid Clichés

Lastly , Don’t use clichés in writing academic text.

These are called trite expressions which should be
eliminated from your writing. These expressions
are old sayings that are used and heard so often that they
do nothing for your writing.
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The Structures of Academic Texts

Examples: Clichés

Beat around the bush Playing with fire Good people

Hard data Cutting edge Pushing the
envelope
More than happy I wish to state Bite the bullet
Scratch the surface Goes without saying Since the dawn
of time
Contrary to popular opinion Due to the fact that Acid test
Easier said than done Few and far between Words cannot
express
Better late than never Last but not least
Rich and varied (experience)
________________________________________________________________________________________________

What have we learned?

We have learned from this module the thesis structure of a text.
By following the components of the thesis structure and
incorporating transitions, you will be able to organize your
composition in a coherent way. In reading, we tend to ignore
these transitions but in writing, we need to use them as a tool to
help us move along and to provide cues to the reader.

Glossary:
Transition signals are connecting words or phrases used to link sentences
and paragraphs to achieve cohesion in writing.
Thesis statement - a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes
the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, etc., and is developed,
supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence.
Topic Sentence - The main sentence in a paragraph, often the first sentence. It
briefly conveys the essential idea of the paragraph.

References:
Books and Journals
Brantley, C. and Miller, M. ( 2007) Effective Communication for Colleges.
Singapore. Thomson South Western

Course Module
Hyland, K. (2008)Language Teaching. England. Cambridge University Press.

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

Literacy Design Collaborative : Academic writing across the disciplines.

http://www. LDC_academic_writing_final.pdf. Retrieved April 8, 2017

Online Instructional Videos

How to Determine the Text Structure of a Passage Using Transitions

study.com/academy/lesson/how-to-determine-the-text-structure-of-a-
passage-using-transitions.html. Retrieved 19 July 2017