TEXT STRUCTURE - refers to how
information is organized in a passage.
- The structure of a text can change many times
in a work and even within a paragraph.
- Students are often asked to identify text
structures or patterns of organization on state
reading tests. Also, understanding text
structures can help students make and
interpret arguments. For these reasons it is
important that students are exposed to the
various patterns of organization.
WHY IS TEXT STRUCTURE
IMPORTANT?
 The importance of text structure is to
identify and recognize the text structure
of a text for it not to be confusing, for us
to understand it very well, for us to
know the key points, for us to know the
main idea.
 When readers identify and recognize the
text structure of a text, this can
significantly improve their
comprehension and retention of
information. Understanding the text
structure can help students: Organize
information and details they are learning
in their minds while reading
THE SEVEN MAIN INFORMATIONAL
TEXT STRUCTURES:
1. DEFINITION
-A definition texts explains the nature of
something.
- Oftentimes, aside from giving the general class
to which the concept being defined belongs, a
definition text describes the things being
defined and/or cites examples of it.
- Some words that signal a definition text are:
the verb is/are, for example, can be, is defined
as, means; words refer to composition such as
contains, make up, involves; words that
suggests likeness such as: appears to be, refers
to; and general words that refer to a class or
genus, such as a form of (exercise), a branch of
(engineering), a type of (worship), a kind of
(ship), etc.
- We often
represent text in
a visual way
through graphic
organizers.
Definition text
structures could
be visually
represented by a
semantic web chart.
EXAMPLE:
Texting, as an abbreviated form of writing on
mobile phones and pagers with tiny screens and
keyboard, suspends a normal conventions of
grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It is a
hybrid construct, combining elements of
writing with speech forms but its mixing takes
entirely new resonances and characteristics.
Texting appears as though people are talking
when in fact they are writing. Texting resembles
speech because of its “ethereal and fleeting”
qualities (Young, 1994). Yet it also resembles
written text because the text has physicality in
form of words and symbols printed on the
screen.
- In the paragraph above, some signal words are:
as, it is a construct, combining, appears as
though, resembles, as a form of writing,
resembles speech.
2. DESCRIPTION
- This is pretty straightforward
- Texts that use this structure simply describe
something
- This text present plenty of details about what
they're describing
- Tell you why something is being described
- Tell you why the described topic is
important
- Provide examples of the described topic(s)
- Descriptive texts are everywhere—in novels,
works of literary nonfiction, news articles,
science textbooks—which makes sense because
the entire point of description is to present
information.
- Visually the descriptive text may appear like
this:
EXAMPLE:
Piranha are omnivorous, freshwater fish, which
are mostly known for their single row of sharp,
triangular teeth in both jaws. Piranhas’ teeth
come together in a scissor-like bite and are used
for puncture and tearing. Baby piranha are small,
about the size of a thumbnail, but full-grown
piranha grows up to about 6-10 inches, and some
individual fish up to 2 feet long have been
found. The many species of piranha vary in
color, though most are either silvery with an
orange underbelly and throat or almost entirely
black.
3. RECOUNT OF A SEQUENCE
– A recount of a sequence is a chronological
narration (or order) of a historical period.
- Some signal words are first, second, now
before, after, then, finally, while, meanwhile,
during, and other time and duration describing
the steps in a process or procedure.
- Since its historical period, hindi mo
pwedeng sabihin na mauna yung pinakalast
at pwede mong unahin yung middle,
kailangan naka inorder siya in choronological
order just like alphabets. May sinusundan
kang process at procedure.
- In historical account, dates may be
considered as a language cues, too.
- A flow chart may also be used to show the
sequence of events or actions; arrows are
important to show the linear flow.
EXAMPLE:
There are several reasons why I love Harry
Potter so much. First, he is the great wizard of
all times. He can cast so many spells like
nobody else does except for the killing curse
“Avada Kedavra”. Furthermore, in the age of 12
he became a Quiddich seeker in his time, how
amazing is that! Also, he’s the very best friend
of Ron and Hermione- the persons who’s always
beside him all throughout the journey. Finally,
he saved everybody from Lord Voldemort and
was called “the boy who lived.”
4. CAUSE AND EFFECT
- A cause-effect text presents reasons why a
situation is obtained (BAKIT NANGYARI?)
(ANO ANG DAHILAN?)
- Though logically the cause comes before the
result, in academic writing it is the effect that is
usually presented first, perhaps to achieve a
more dramatic effect.
- Some signal words that you have to watched
for are expressions that indicate effect or
consequence or result, such as so, so that, as a
result, consequently, explanation for, thus,
and accordingly. On the other hand, some
expressions that indicate cause are due to, as a
result of, because of, and cause of.
- Cause and effect can be visually represented
this way:
EXAMPLE:
The lack of rain and snow has horrible effects on
farmers. with no rain their land dries up, and it is
very difficult to grow anything. When the crops
fail, the farmers haven't any choice but to get a
second job in order to make the money they
need. Farming is a full time job and with a
second job, farmers are overworked, stressed
and even depressed. Many farmers end up
selling their land. Some farmers have accepted
the government program the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP), which is the land is left
idle to let the grass grow and must be left idle a
certain number of years. while the land is in the
CRP program, some farmers have taken outside
jobs. That is why when it doesn't rain, you notice
that most of the farmers are very crabby. As a
farmer's daughter, I have experienced some good
times and some bad times. I have gained a great
respect for farmers everywhere. ~(c)2005 Laura
White~
5. PROBLEM- SOLUTION
- A problem-
solution texts
starts off
with a
negative
situation (a
problem) and
ends with a positive situation (a solution).
- Some key expressions that indicate a problem-
solution text are: the problem/dilemma is,
if/then, so that, solves, an answer to, and
addresses the problem of.
EXAMPLE:
. . . To discover the reasons of poor achievement
among incoming freshmen, a survey of their
reading levels was likewise done following the
2002 NDT test. The initial conclusions:
incoming HS students in Metro Manila were
reading at the late Grade 4 and early Grade 5
levels, or about two years behind in terms of
their age and grade levels. Little wonder then
that out public secondary students fared poorly
in the readiness and achievement tests.
- FIXING THE PROBLEM: To address this
problem, DepEd set a number of policy
directions, including: (a) a new grading system
to reflect true performance of students (with no
transmutation of grades), (b) a High School
Bridge program to help those that need help the
most, and (c) “Every Child a Reader (by Grade
3)” program.
- The permanent solution to this learning
deficiency is to make “Every Child a Reader”
starting at the elementary level. For this DepEd
has embarked on a program to make every child
a reader by Grade 3 and to address the problem
of poor learning achievement in formative years,
including preschool. This will take time to bear
fruit, however, and it will take a number of years
before we see achievement test scores improve
dramatically. But it must start with raising the
level of independent readers at the end of the
elementary cycle for less than 20 percent to 100
percent.
- Visually a problem-solution text can be
represented in various ways; the number of
boxes may be adjusted to fit the number of
problems and solutions presented in the material.
6. COMPARISON AND CONSTRAST
- In comparison and contrast text, similarities
and differences are presented.
- Some expressions that point to similarities are
similarly, in like manner, and in the same
way; to talk about differences, the following
expressions are commonly used: on the other
hand, on the contrary, the opposite,
compared to, in contrast, although, unless,
and however. Take not also of comparative (ex:
better than, more) and superlative (ex: best,
most) degrees of comparison. Likewise, marks
opposites or antonyms (ex: traditional vs.
modern). In the example below, the signal words
to mark comparison and contrast have been
highlighted
EXAMPLE:
Basketball and Soccer
Basketball and soccer are sports with
many similarities and differences. Both sports
are fun to play and each one has many beneficial
qualities. Here are some of the similarities and
differences with basketball and soccer.
Basketball and soccer are played with a
round ball. They both provide a ton of
cardiovascular exercise such as running; so if
you want to get in shape these are the sports to
play. A referee judges each game. When a player
breaks the rules he or she is called for a foul. A
soccer player receives a red or yellow card and a
basketball player is called for a foul. Finally, a
score is kept in each game. The team with the
highest score wins.
Even though basketball and soccer are
similar, differences do exist. Even though an
athlete dribbles the ball in both sports, a
basketball player uses his hands and a soccer
player uses his feet. Usually soccer is played
outside on a large field and basketball is played
indoor on a court made out of wood. Basketball
is played with 5 players and soccer has 11.
Lastly, basketball has four quarters and soccer
has two halves.
In conclusion, both sports are fun and
exciting to play. Each one offers exercise and
competitiveness. Also, they are unique in their
own way.
- To represent this text structure visually, we can
use a Venn Diagram. Venn diagram can
represent comparison and contrast when what
are contrasted share some common
characteristics, so that in the diagram A shows
the characteristics unique to A, and B shows the
unique characteristics of B:C, where the two
circles intersects, however, represents A and B’s
commonalities.
7. ENUMERATION
- An enumeration is a listing as in a list of
parts, of characteristics, of examples, etc.
- Some words that indicate enumeration are to
start with first, second, in addition, next, then,
another, finally, and also.
- Enumeration often appears as a numbered
list or a bulleted text.
EXAMPLE:
(1ST EXAMPLE) There are several reasons why
I love Harry Potter so much. First, he is the
great wizard of all times. He can cast so many
spells like nobody else does except for the
killing curse “Avada Kedavra”. Furthermore,
in the age of 12 he became a Quiddich seeker in
his time, how amazing is that! Also, he’s the
very best friend of Ron and Hermione- the
persons who’s always beside him all throughout
the journey. Finally, he saved everybody from
Lord Voldemort and was called “the boy who
lived.”
(2ND EXAMPLE) By the year 2050, urban
population is predicted to explode. According to
Newsweek (June 6, 2011), an estimated 6.4
billion people will be living in cities, and this
despite the complaints about high crime rate and
high standard of living in the city. Why is this
the trend? This pattern of rural to urban
migration has been established for decades now
for three main reasons. First, industrialization
gave birth to factories which are often built in
centers of transportation and commerce, for
easier production and marketing of goods.
Second, with more and more families moving to
the cities, governments and private institutions
thought it practical to build schools near cities.
The opportunity for better education has proven
to be a very strong magnet that further pulled
rural dwellers to cities. Finally, what sealed the
trend was the establishment of places of
entertainment like theaters, sports, arenas, and
museums which made city life alluring.
*The above paragraph can be presented as a
list:

 Reasons of growth of cities

 Growth of factories in cities
 Established of schools that offer better
education in cities
 Building of places of leisure and
entertainment