Text structure

English

Definition

Text structure is the way an author organizes information within a piece of writing. Common structures include chronological order, cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, and description. Recognizing text structure helps readers follow the argument and locate key information.

Examples

  • A history textbook chapter organized chronologically from the causes of WWI to its aftermath
  • A science article using cause-and-effect structure to explain how pollution affects marine life
  • A persuasive essay using problem-solution structure: describing teen vaping rates, then proposing school programs

Related Terms

Essay structure Main idea and details Narrative arc Evidence and reasoning

Study This Concept

Practice text structure with free review games in these units:

English 9 Unit 3: Informational Text