ST. MARK COLLEGE of baliuag, Bulacan, inc.

JP. Rizal St. Sta. Barbara, Baliuag Bulacan

Email: stmark04@yahoo.com | Tel. No. 305-5264

Name: ___________________________
Grade and Section: __________________
Module Number: 11 ENGLISH 8
Date: ___________________________

Structures of Expository Texts

Structures of expository texts are used by authors to facilitate comprehension of the

readers and speed up the study process of students. Knowledge of the structures of expository
texts is an important factor for the understanding of the expository text. The headings in
expository texts can help the readers locate and organize formation. The structures of expository
texts differ from one another. Among these text structures are the following:

a. Description or Listing. The author describes a specific topic. This is used to explain
the features of an object or event. An author of a textbook in biology may list the
features of mammals, tackle their body temperature, and discuss other information
about mammals.

b. Sequence or Time Order. Items and events are listed in numerical or chronological
order by the author. This is often used to present events in history (like the EDSA
Revolution) or biological phenomena (life cycle of human beings).

c. Compare and Contrast. The author discusses the similarities and differences of two
or similar events, topics, or objects. A social studies author may compare the
governments of the Philippines and Indonesia.

d. Cause and Effect. This structure outlines reasons for events. The author describes an
event (like the papal visit) and explains what caused the event and the effects that emerged from
it.

e. Problem-solution. The author discusses a problem and then suggests possible

solutions. An author of history may discuss Ferdinand Marcos' life in terms of the problems he
encountered and how he solved them.

Transitional or signal words and phrases and graphic organizers identify each text
structure. Refer to the listing in the following diagrams. You will be able to use these transitional
or signal words and phrases as clues to recognize the structure of an expository text. You will be
able to identify the main idea and the supporting ideas of the expository text and place these in
the graphic organizer for each structure.
 1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3.
Alike

Different

_______________________
4. _______________________
5. _______________________

Sequence

Description
Compare/Contrast

Effect #1 Problem

Cause Effect #2

Effect #3 Problem

Cause/Effect Problem/Solution

Signal Words/Phrases
Description for example, characteristics, for instances, such as,
is like, including a illustrate

Sequence first, second, third, later, next, before then, finally,

after, when, later, since, now, previously