By: JE-ANN J.

MARGAHA
INFORMATIONAL TEXT STRUCTURE
Text type depends on the primary purpose of a text which in
turn determines how its written-what information the author
introduces in the text and how this information is organized.
The nine main informational text structures are:
• Definition/elucidation
• Description
• Recount of a sequence
• Cause-effect
• Problem-solution
• Comparison and contrast
• Enumeration
• Classification
• Thesis-evidence
By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA
INFORMATIONAL TEXT STRUCTURE
If the primary purpose is to give instructions, the
possible text structures are recount, description, and
enumeration. To give explanation, possible text
structure are definition, description, enumeration, and
classification. To argue a point or position, thesis-
evidence is the most relevant text structure. To
convey information, all of the above mentioned can
be used. To narrate an event or process, a
chronological rendition or recount is written.

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

INFORMATIONAL TEXT STRUCTURE
There are three approached to a text to help you
determine its structure: by noting language cues, by
making a graphic presentation of the text (text
mapping, and by outlining. To use the first approach,
you must be aware of certain key words that
characterize each text structure. Some key words will
be presented as each text structure is discussed.

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

INFORMATIONAL TEXT STRUCTURE
To apply the second approach, you will be presented with
possible graphic representations of a text. Why this focus on
graphic representation? Well, it’s because you, like most 21st
century learners, are strongly visual: you enjoy something that you
can see, and you understand it better. Text mapping is the
general term for graphically organizing and representing the
various parts of a text in a manner that shows how that parts
relate to each other. The advantage of doing text mapping is
that it shows you simultaneously details and structures of a text.
You are going to learn various ways of mapping a text such as
semantic webbing or mind mapping, preparing classification
tree, and flow charts.
By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA
LANGUAGE CUES AND VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF TEXT STRUCTURES

DEFINITION
A definition text explain the nature of something.
Oftentimes, aside from giving the general class to which the
concept being defined belongs, a definition text describes the
thing 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 that refer to composition such as
contain, make up, involves; words that suggest a likeness such as
as, appears to be refers to; and general words that refers to a
class or genus, such as a form of (exercise) a branch of
(engineering), a type of (worship), a kind of (ship), etc.
By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA
LANGUAGE CUES AND VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF TEXT STRUCTURES

SAMPLE
Texting, as an abbreviated from of writing used on mobile
phones and pagers with tiny screens and keyboards, suspends
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 resources and
characteristics. Texting appears as though people are talking
wen in fact they are writing. Texting resembles speech because
of its “ethereal and fleeting” qualities (Youmg, 1994,
http//www/eserver.org/cyber/young.2txt). yet it also resembles
written text because the text physicality in the form of the words
and symbols printed on the screen.
By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA
LANGUAGE CUES AND VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF TEXT STRUCTURES

In the paragraph above, some signal words are: as,

it is a construct, combining, appears as though,
resembles, a form of writing, resembles speech.

A modified wheel can present a definition text. At

the center of the wheel is tha main topic of the article
(enclosed in a circle), and form the spokes of the wheel
are the details about the concept.

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

LANGUAGE CUES AND VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF TEXT STRUCTURES

hybrid construct abbreviated writing

texting

abbreviated spelling suspended grammar

and punctuation

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

DESCRIPTION
A descriptive text gives concrete details about
appearance, characteristics, and actions. Some words
that signal description are adjectives to describe size (ex:
huge, small or numbers that specify dimensions), shape
(ex: spherical, octagonal), position (middle, top_ texture
(ex: rough, smooth, velvety); color (verdant green,
onyl0like); adverbs to qualify an action or thing (ex:
evenly, roughly, consistently); and adjective phrases (ex:
a 10-gallon container, a four-day weeken, 2-day-old
chicks).
By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA
DESCRIPTION
Visually the descriptive text may appear like this:

Descriptor 1 Descriptor 2
Violent scenes Main Topic Violent Characters
*Exploding helicopters (Modern Filipino Film) *”Armed to the teeth”
and cars *Bare fists

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

RECOUNT OF A SEQUENCE
A recount of a sequence is a chronological
narration of a historical period, a sequential description
of a process or a procedure. Some signal words are first,
second, now, before, after, then, finally, while,
meanwhile, during and other expressions of time and
duration describing the steps in a process or procedure.
In a historical account, dates may be considered a
language cues, too.

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

FLOW CHART
A flow chart may also be sued to show the
sequence of events or actions; arrows and important to
show the linear flow.

Cutting Drying Sorting Packaging

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

CAUSE-EFFECT
A cause-effect text presents reasons why a situation is
obtained. 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 watching are
expressions that indicate effect or consequence or result,
such as so, so that as a result consequently, explanation
for, thus, accordingly. On the other hand, some
expressions that indicate cause are due to, as a result of
because of, a cause of.
By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA
CAUSE-EFFECT
Cause-effect text can be visually represented this way:

Effect 1

Cause 1 Effect 2

Effect 3
By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA
PROBLEM-SOLUTION
A problem-solution text 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, address the
problem of.

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
In a comparison and contrast text, similarities and
differences are presented. Some expressions that point to
similarities are similarly, in like manner, 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, however. Take note also of
comparative (ex: better than, more) and superlative (ex: best,
most) degrees of comparison. Likewise, mark opposites or
antonyms (ex: traditional vs. modern).
You must remember that comparison and contrast are
done along common points. For example, you can compare and
contrast two persons in terms of height, intelligence, size, etc.
By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA
ENUMERATION
An enumeration is listing, as in a list of
parts, of characters, of examples, etc. some
words that indicate enumeration are to s tart
with, first, second, in addition next, then,
another finally, also. Enumeration often
appears as numbered list of a bulleted text.

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

CLASSIFICATION
A classification text presents groupings, types, classes,
categories and sub-categories that constitute a
concept, presented in hierarchical order. Some example
are types of personalities, groupings in a school, species
of animals, categories of films, and television shows.
Some language cues are: there are several types/kinds
of, a part of, an example of
groups/kinds/ways/types/classes of, another kind of
divided into. Graphically, hierarchy may be represented
through size (usually the bigger idea is a bigger figure)
and placement or positioning (usually bigger ideas are
placed above smaller topics). By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA
CLASSIFICATION

Concept

Semi-concrete
Concrete concepts Abstract Concepts
concepts

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

THESIS-EVIDENCE
Primarily to serve the purpose of arguing a
point/position or interpretation. The Thesis-Evidence text
organization or thought pattern may be arranged
deductively (general statement of thesis followed by
supporting details) or inductively (details from which an
inference or thesis is drawn). Some words that signal this
though pattern are some verbs like assert, claim,
prove/show that …, support allege that; and nouns like
evidence, proof, argument.

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA

THESIS-EVIDENCE
The presentation below shows a thesis-evidence structure

Thesis/Main
Idea

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

By: JE-ANN J. MARGAHA