Lesson 2:

Text Structure
mirjam nilsson
 Objective:
•Uses knowledge of text structure to
glean the information he/she needs

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Text Structure

Text structures (WDPI, 2012) refer to the way

authors organize information in text. Recognizing
the underlying structure of texts can help students
focus attention on key concepts and relationships,
anticipate what is to come, and monitor their
comprehension as they read.
 • When I first woke up, I got dressed and
went on a long run. Then, I got ready for
the day and went to work. After I got to
work, I realized that I had forgotten my
lunch and purse.

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 • Since I did not eat breakfast and I forgot
my lunch on the counter at home, my
stomach started growling at 10:30 a.m.
Therefore, I knew my day was not going to
be good.

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 • Several students receive poor grades on writing assignments, not
because they lack the ability to communicate, but because they
can not seem to manage their time when it comes to a large
project. They do not know where to begin, and therefore put
things off until the last minute. To solve this problem, students
need to develop a timeline for completing the project. If they
divide the assignment into manageable “chunks” or parts and
then set a schedule for completing each part, they will be able to
finish the entire project before the deadline. Without the pressure
of not knowing where to begin, the students will be able to focus
on the assignment and communicate their ideas effectively.

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 • Although they are sisters, Jennifer and Jessica are
complete opposites. Jennifer enjoys playing sports, while
Jessica would rather watch. Jennifer has no interest in
playing a musical instrument, while Jessica is the first
chair violinist. Jennifer listens to new age music, while
Jessica prefers country. Jennifer’s favorite subject is
English, and Jessica’s favorite is math. Jennifer likes to
curl up in a chair on a rainy day and read a good book ,
but Jessica would rather sleep all day. No one would ever
guess that they are actually twins

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Why is Text Structure Important?
Readers can significantly improve their comprehension and
retention of information when they can identify and recognize the
text structure of a text. It can also help them:
1. Organize information and details they are learning in their minds
while reading.
2. Make connections between the details being presented in a text
3. Summarize the important details shared in a text