Text Structure In Academic Texts
Lagro High School - EAPP Week 4
Kriska B. De la Cruz | Grade 12 HUMSS
Lesson Objectives
• Define what text structure is.
• Identify common types of text
structures.
• Use knowledge of text structure
to find key information in
academic texts.
What is Text Structure?
• Text structure refers to how
information within a written text
is organized.
• It helps readers locate,
understand, and remember
information.
Common Types of Text Structures
1. Cause and Effect
2. Compare and Contrast
3. Sequence or Chronological
Order
4. Problem and Solution
5. Description
Cause and Effect explains why
something happens (cause) and
what results from it (effect).
TRANSITIONAL
DEVICE
Example:
Heavy rainfall caused flooding in
the low-lying areas.
Compare and Contrast shows how
two or more things are alike or
different.
Example:
Unlike cats, dogs need more outdoor
exercise, but both make loyal
companions.
CONTRAST
Sequence or Chronological Order
presents events in the order they
occur.
Example:
First, she woke up, then brushed
her teeth, and finally had
breakfast.
Problem and Solution identify an
issue and propose ways to solve it.
Example:
Pollution is increasing, so cities are
promoting bike use instead of cars.
Description provides sensory or
factual details about a person,
place, or thing.
Example:
The old library was filled with dusty
books, wooden shelves, and a
calming silence.
FULL OF
ADJECTIVES
Familiarize yourself with
transitional devices to improve
the flow and clarity of your
writing.
A word or phrase that connects ideas, sentences, or
paragraphs smoothly, helping the reader follow the flow
of thought.
Sample Text Activity
Read the paragraph below and identify its
structure:
"Climate change leads to rising sea
levels and more frequent storms.
As a result, many coastal areas are
now at risk."
Question:
What type of text
structure is used in the
text?
Answer:
Cause and Effect
What makes you think
of your answer? What
helps you?
Another One…
The old mansion stood at the end of
the street, its brick walls covered in
ivy. Tall windows with cracked glass
reflected the golden afternoon sun.
Inside, the wooden floors creaked
with every step, and the scent of
aged books filled the air. Dust floated
gently in the light, giving the room a
quiet, forgotten charm.
DESCRIPTION
How to Glean Information
To glean information from a text
using text structure, you need to
identify the organizational pattern
the author uses.
Here’s how:
1. Cause and Effect – Look for the
reason something happened and
its consequences. Signal words
include: because, since, as a
result, therefore.
Tip: Ask: What happened? Why did it
happen?
Here’s how:
2. Compare and Contrast – Identify
similarities and differences between
two or more subjects. Signal words
include: like, unlike, however, and
similarly.
Tip: Use Venn diagrams or tables to
sort shared and distinct features.
Here’s how:
3. Sequence or Chronological
Order – Follow the order of events
or steps. Signal words include: first,
next, then, finally.
Tip: Create timelines or lists to
track progression or instructions.
Here’s how:
4. Problem and Solution – Pinpoint
the issue and how it was solved.
Signal words include: problem,
solution, resolve, challenge.
Tip: Ask: What is the problem?
How was it fixed?
Here’s how:
5. Description – Focus on details,
characteristics, or sensory information
about a topic. Signal words include:
such as, for example, includes, features.
Tip: Highlight adjectives and descriptive
phrases to understand the topic better