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Understanding Structural Features in Texts

The document outlines various structural features of writing, detailing their purposes and effects on the reader. Key features include openings that capture interest, shifts in perspective, the use of repetition for emphasis, and pacing that influences tension. Additionally, it discusses the importance of temporal references, order of events, endings, withholding information, dialogue, headings, bullet points, sentence structures, and paragraph lengths in shaping the reader's experience.

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Yawai Thethnin
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286 views1 page

Understanding Structural Features in Texts

The document outlines various structural features of writing, detailing their purposes and effects on the reader. Key features include openings that capture interest, shifts in perspective, the use of repetition for emphasis, and pacing that influences tension. Additionally, it discusses the importance of temporal references, order of events, endings, withholding information, dialogue, headings, bullet points, sentence structures, and paragraph lengths in shaping the reader's experience.

Uploaded by

Yawai Thethnin
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

STRUCTURAL FEATURES

Feature Purpose Effect on the reader


Comment on how the writer introduces ideas and raises
Openings The start of a text must interest the reader.
questions.
This is what the writer focuses on as the text Analyse what is implied, e.g., a gloomy landscape implies an
Focus
develops. unhappy situation – what is causing that unhappiness?
Changes in ideas and perspectives, e.g. outside to inside. Comment on how this change is effective, e.g. creates contrast.
Shifts
Repetitive features can highlight key meanings, indicate a
Repetition or patterns When words, phrases or ideas are repeated for effect.
development or show a lack of change.
The feeling of speed in writing – are events and ideas A slow pace builds tension or suggests boredom, a quicker pace
Pace
revealed to the reader slowly or quickly? may suit a piece about things happening at speed.
Comment on how time is used to speed up or slow down the pace of
Temporal references References to time.
the text.
This could be chronological, or writers might choose to
Order of events Comment on how the order of events introduces and
start at the end, in the middle, or with flashbacks/flash-
prioritizes key ideas – and how this engages the reader.
forwards.
The conclusion of a text may be neat or leave us with Think about how the reader feels at the end. Have their feelings
Endings
questions. changed since the opening?
Clues and hints are given without revealing Analyse what is implied by hints – how does this build the
Withholding information
everything at once. reader’s expectations?
Dialogue Conversations and speech. How does dialogue move the text forward?
Headings, subheadings & Divides the content of texts into topics and sub-topics, can
How do they guide readers through a text?
questions signal the start of new points.
Bullets Bullets can summarise and simplify a range of ideas. Why does the writer summarise certain points?
Comment on how sentence structures affect the fluency of the text,
Sentence structures Varied types of sentences, e.g. simple, compoundand
e.g. a sudden short sentence could reveal shocking
complex.
information.
These vary like sentences, e.g. to highlight significant points Paragraph lengths affect the development of the text, e.g. a final
Paragraph lengths
or to provide a detailed account. paragraph might summarise key points in an argument.

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