Text Structure

Text structures found in different text types

Narrative text is often the easiest for students to identify and understand. Most young readers are familiar with the language of stories (sometimes called “story grammar”) which typically includes the following components: 

• Exposition: introduces the setting, characters, and conflict of the story. 
• Rising action: introduces the challenges and obstacles that the characters face. 
• Climax: the turning point of the story, where the conflict is resolved. 
• Falling action: describes the aftermath of the climax, as the characters deal with the consequences of their actions. 
• Resolution: ties up any loose ends and brings the story to a close. 

Narrative texts can include many of the common text structures: description, cause-effect, chronology/sequence, and problem-solution.

Descriptive text mixes different text structures in creating a vivid, multi-sensory picture in the reader’s mind. The most common text structures found in descriptive text are description and compare-contrast.

Expository text can be more challenging for young readers than narrative text because it doesn’t follow a typical sequence of events unfolding over time. Expository texts can also include all five of the common text structures, requiring readers to identify which structure is being used and for what purpose. 

Procedural or instructional text typically uses the chronology/sequence text structure to describe a step-by-step process.

Argumentative or persuasive text also mixes different text structures. The most common text structures found in argumentative text are description, cause-effect, compare-contrast, and problem-solution. Argumentative text usually follows this pattern:

• Claim: the main point of the argument — the statement that the author is trying to prove.
• Reasons: the supporting statements that the author uses to prove their claim.
• Evidence: the data or information that the author uses to support their reasons.
• Counterclaims: the opposing arguments that the author addresses.
• Rebuttals: the responses that the author provides to the counterclaims.

Description

The description text structure describes or explains a topic, idea, person, place, or thing to give the reader a mental picture.

Examples: A book about animals describes the different kinds of whales and their habitats or the life cycle of frogs. A book about deserts describes the unique flora and fauna of that ecosystem. 

 

Signal words, phrases, and questions

Characteristic	Location	Appearance	Signal Questions
for example	in front of	looks like	What (things, people, events, components or steps) are described?
for instance	beside	seems	What does it look like?
such as	near	appears	What does it do?
is like	next to	gives the appearance of	How does it work?
including	on top of
to illustrate	below
	behind

Download description template

Cause and effect

The cause and effect text structure tells why something happened (cause) and what happened (effect).

Examples: A book about weather shows how specific weather patterns can cause extreme weather such as a blizzard or a hurricane. A book about volcanoes describes how eruptions occur when an opening develops in the Earth’s crust and the molten (magma) is forced through the crack.

 

Signal words, phrases, and questions

Signal Words or Phrases	Signal Questions
because	What happened?
as a result	What caused it to happen?
therefore	Why did it happen?
consequently
hence
thus
for this reason
due to

Download cause and effect template

Compare and contrast

The compare and contrast text structure examines the similarities and differences between two or more people, events, concepts, and ideas.

Examples: A book about ancient Greece explains how the Spartan women were different from the Athenian women. A book about moths and butterflies describes how they are similar and how they are different.

 

 

Signal words, phrases, and questions

Compare	Contrast	Signal Questions
like	differ	What is being compared?
alike	but	How are they the same?
both	in contrast to	How are they different?
also	however
similar	on the other hand
too	unlike
just like
just as

Download compare and contrast template

Chronology/sequence

The chronology/sequence text structure describes items or events in order, or explains the steps to follow.

Examples: A book about the American revolution lists the events leading to the war. A book about bees explains how bees make honey. 

 

 

Signal words, phrases, and questions

Signal Words or Phrases	Signal Questions
first, second, third, etc.	What happened first, next, last?
next	What order or sequence did the author tell you about the people, events, or steps?
then	Do they have to happen in this order?
finally
after
before
during
while
when

Download sequence template

Problem and solution

The cproblem and solution text structure sets up a problem or problems, explains the solution, and then discusses the effects of the solution. 

Example: A book about climate change explains what causes it and what we can do to reverse the dangers.

 

 

Signal words, phrases, and questions

Signal Words or Phrases	Questions and Answers	Signal Questions
problem is	who	What is the problem here?
dilemma is	what	Why is this a problem?
solution is	why	Does the author describe a solution?
one solution is	where	Is anything being done to try to solve the problem?
another solution is	when	What are some possible solution/s
to solve the problem	how
in order to solve the problem	which
	do you know

Problem and Solution template

Additional tips for understanding text structure

• Pay attention to the title and headings. These often give clues about the text structure.
• Think about the purpose of the text. What is the author trying to communicate?
• Ask yourself questions. What are the main points of the text? How are the ideas connected?