Text Structure

Sequential Process Text Structure

A sequential pattern of organization is similar to a chronological pattern, but arranges information according to a step-by-step sequence that describes a particular process. Using a sequential pattern, each main section of information represents a main step that one would follow in the actual process. The points included within each main section represent the sub-steps one would follow. When one wishes to describe a process that follows a specific series of steps in a particular order, then, a sequential pattern works well. For example, suppose a writer's stated purpose is to explain how wine is made. A sequential pattern would be effective in this case because it breaks the process down into a specific series of steps which should be followed in a precise order. Notice that a series of related smaller steps are grouped into one larger category. Thus, a process which involves many specific steps can be simplified by highlighting the most fundamental steps, which helps the reader understand the process and remember its key parts.

Cause and Effect (Example)

Example: Many people think that they can get sick by going into cold weather improperly dressed; however, illnesses are not caused by temperature- they are caused by germs. So while shivering outside in the cold probably won't strengthen your immune system, you're more likely to contract an illness indoors because you will have a greater exposure to germs. In the above example, the paragraph explains how germs cause illnesses. The germs are the cause in the paragraph and the illness is the effect.

***Order of Importance (Example)***

Example: The company has a clearly laid out hierarchy (power structure). All major decisions go through the president, who controls the entire operation, but most daily decisions go to the board. Beneath the board members are the regional managers, who oversee the branch managers, who run each local branch.

Spatial Order Example

On a dark, secluded street stood three abandoned houses. The first had broken shutters and shattered windows. Next to it stood a dilapidated structure badly in need of paint. Adjacent, amid debris, stood a shack with graffiti scrawled across the door. Paragraph I describes three houses standing in a row and relates them to one another according to where in that row each is situated. The words "next to" and "adjacent" are typical of the kinds of words used in descriptions of spatial relationships.

Spatial Order Text Structure

The author describes information in a passage using order of space or location such as inside to outside, top to bottom, left to right. * Most fictional passages are organized chronologically, but in paragraphs where the narrator is describing a setting or the appearance of a character, the information may be organized spatially.

Cause and Effect Text Structure

The author explains why something happened (the cause) and what happened as a result (effect)

Order of Importance Text Structure

The author presents Ideas or steps by creating an order for what is most important to what is least important. When using the order of importance pattern of organization, information can be structured from most important to least important or least important to most important.

Problem and Solution Text Structure

The author presents a problem and explains how it is (or could be) solved

Description or List Text Structure

The author presents details to help you picture or get to know a person, place or thing. *list includes information that does not need to be in order

Compare and Contrast Text Structure

The author presents the similarities and/or differences between two items, such as a pair of events, time periods, ideas or places

Chronological Text Structure

The author tells a story or reveals information that is organized in order of time *biographies and fictional stories are often in chronological order. This is different from sequential process order that is step-by-step process of doing something.

text structure

the term that refers to how an author organized information. Authors use different text structures to achieve different purposes