Organizational Text Structures Why the need for organizational text structures? To help the reader understand the information presented. Consider your purpose when recognizing a text structure

Italics Bold Underlining Indentation Sidebars External Text Structures External text structures are found outside the main body of text. They include: Pictures and graphics Headings and subheadings Footnotes

Internal Text Structures Internal text structure is how the main body of the text is organized. It will be organized a certain way depending on its purpose. There are 7 different internal structures: Cause and Effect Comparison and Contrast Enumeration/Listing Sequential or Chronological Concept/Definition Generalization Process

Sequential/Chronological It tells the order of facts, events, or concepts Signal words/phrases: Today* Next Meanwhile First Now Not long ago Finally Examples: timelines, records of history events

Comparison and Contrast Tells how facts, people, and events and concepts are similar and different Signal words/phrases: –Similarly –On the other hand –However –Yet –In spite of

Cause and Effect Tells how fact, events, people, concepts happen or exist because of other facts Signal words/phrases: –As a result of –Consequently –So that –Because of –Since Examples: history books, science books

Enumeration/Listing Tells a listing of facts and events in no special order Signal words/phrases: –Also –Another –Several –First Examples: grocery list, listing of examples

Concept/Definition Tells the explanation or description of a concept or topic by using synonyms and signal words Signal words/phrases: –Refers to –Thus –In other words –Described as –Equals Example: textbooks, encyclopedias

Generalization A statement about a whole group. Could be too broad and not based on fact. Often the word "all" will make a generalization untrue."All trees lose their leaves in the fall.” Signal words/phrases: –Always –In fact Examples: editorials, advertising

Process Tells the procedure or process for how something is done/created Signal words/phrases: –Begins with –In order to Examples: cookbooks, how-to books, science textbooks