1. Text structure and organisation 1 How to write about this in a test paper

2. Text structure and organisation 2 In your tests, you will be asked questions about the structure and organisation of a text. But what should you be looking for? Here are some ideas – but can you work them out? pa_a_rap_s paragraphs _en_en_es sentences co_ _ec_i_es connectives o_e_in_s openings _or_ or_er word order _n_ings endings _un_tua_ion punctuation

3. Text structure and organisation 3 Sometimes you need to be able to compare two different parts of a text – explaining how and why they are different. Here are two sentences. You should: spot as many differences as you can in the way they are written explain how the order of the sentences helps the reader appreciate the creature. The red kite has a wingspan of 185 centimetres and has large white wing patches. This graceful bird, with rich reddish plumage, soars and glides elegantly on slightly arched wings.

4. Text structure and organisation 4 The red kite has a wingspan of 185 centimetres and has large white wing patches. This graceful bird, with rich reddish plumage, soars and glides elegantly on slightly arched wings. Think about which is: most factual more descriptive using adverbs an information text using ‘powerful’ verbs The order of the sentences helps to provide the reader with: a basic image, followed by a more refined, detailed picture an appreciation of its basic points, followed by idea of its more sophisticated qualities a static picture, followed by the bird in motion using opinion

5. Text structure and organisation 5 These sentences all say the same thing, but how does the order change the message? What she wanted, more than anything else, was chocolate. Chocolate was what she wanted more than anything else. More than anything else, it was chocolate that she wanted. Which sentence emphasises – most – that nothing else will do? Which sentence delays the revelation of what she wants and, therefore, adds a little intrigue? Which sentence makes chocolate the focus of the sentence? (You may disagree about the answers – this is okay as long as you can explain your decision.)

6. Text structure and organisation 6 Paragraphs are another feature of text structure. Look for the differences in these two paragraphs? Aid for Action works in many countries throughout the world, helping to support those living in poverty. We help people in crisis, offering food, water and shelter where they are needed. Jovati lives in a small village in Malawi, with his mother and three brothers. He lives in a house with mud walls and a thatched roof. His family must walk more than half a kilometre to fetch clean water.

7. Text structure and organisation 7 Aid for Action works in many countries throughout the world, helping to support those living in poverty. We help people in crisis, offering food, water and shelter where they are needed. Jovati lives in a small village in Malawi, with his mother and three brothers. He lives in a house with mud walls and a thatched roof. His family must walk more than half a kilometre to fetch clean water. Did you notice… t h e f o c u s o n t h e c h a r i t y ? t h e f o c u s o n a n i n d i v i d u a l ? h i g h l i g h t i n g g e n e r a l p r o b l e m s ? d e t a i l i n g s p e c i f i c p r o b l e m s ? The second paragraph elaborates on the first, and at the same time contrasts with the first.

8. Text structure and organisation 8 When looking at a whole text, pay particular attention to openings and endings. Read this opening, and discuss how it makes the reader want to read more. TRUE! - nervous - very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses - not destroyed - not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily - how calmly I can tell you the whole story. Comment on the first word the use of repetition rhetorical questions the use of the second person (you) the use of punctuation how the reader is hooked The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

9. Text structure and organisation 9 Read this passage. The connectives are missing. Insert connectives to help make the meaning flow more smoothly. ______the judge of the Michael Jackson trial banned cameras from the courtroom, he couldn’t have expected to see the trial on television each day. _____that is precisely what has happened, _____TV companies have found their way around the ban.________, it is not the real courtroom that it is being viewed, ____ rather a fake court room. _____everyday a cast of lookalikes re-enacts the proceedings. When But as However but So

10. Text structure and organisation 10 There are lots of ways of looking at structure and organisation in texts. Can you remember some of them? paragraphs sentences connectives openings endings word order punctuation Look out for them in your reading