INFORMATIONAL TEXT
STRUCTURE
9 Main Informational Text Structures
1. Definition/elucidation
2. Description
3. Recount of a Sequence
4. Cause-Effect
5. Problem-Solution
6.Comparison and Contrast
7. Enumeration
8. Classification
9. Thesis-evidence
Give Information
Recount of a sequence
Description
Enumeration
Give Explanation
Definition
Description
Enumeration
Classification
To argue a point or position
Thesis evidence
Convey Information
All of the above mentioned
Narrate an event or process
Chronological rendition or recount is written
3 approaches to a text to help
determine its structure
1. Noting language cues
2. making a graphic representation of the text
3. Outlining
1. Noting language cues
Must be aware of certain keywords that characterize each
text structure
2. making a graphic representation of the text
Text mapping- is the general term for graphically
organizing and representing the various parts of a
text in a manner that shows how the parts relate to
each other
3. Outlining
Presents the framework of a text by showing its
main ideas and subtopics
LANGUAGE CUES AND
VISUAL REPRESENTATION
OF TEXT STRUCTURES
1. DEFINITION
Explains the nature of something.
Describes the thing being defined and/or cite examples of it
Words that signal:
is/are
For example
Can be
Is defined as
means
Words that refer to composition
-contain
-make up
-involves
Words that suggest a likeness
-appears to be
-refers to
General words that refer to a class or genus
-form of (exercise)
- a branch of (engineering)
-a type of (worship)
- a kind of (ship)
2. DESCRIPTION
Gives concrete details about appearance, characteristics,
and actions
Words that signal description
-Adjectives to describe
size (huge, small)
shape (spherical, octagonal)
Texture (rough, smooth, velvety)
Color (green)
Adverbs to qualify an action or thing (evenly, roughly,
consistently)
Adjective phrases (10-galloon container, a four-day
weekend, 2-day-old chicks)
3. RECOUNT OF A SEQUENCE
- a recount of a sequence is a chronological narration of a
historical period, a sequential description of a process or a
procedure.
Signal words
-first -after -meanwhile
-second -then -during
-now -finally -dates (for historical account)
-before -while
May be used to show the sequence of events or actions
Arrows are important to show the linear flow.
Packag
Cutting Drying Sorting ing
Flowchart
4. CAUSE-EFFECT
-presents reasons why a situation is obtained
In academic writing it is the effect that is usually presented
first to achieve a more dramatic effect.
Signal words are expressions that indicate effect or
consequence or result, such as
-so -consequently -thus
-so that -explanation for
-as a result -accordingly
Expression that indicate cause are
-due to
-as a result of
- because of
-a cause of
Cause-effect can be visually represented this way
Effect
1
Cause Effect
1 2
Effect
3
5. PROBLEM-SOLUTION
- starts off with a negative situation (a problem) and ends with
a positive situation (a solution)
Key expression:
-the problem dilemma is
-if/then
-so that
-solves
-an answer to
-addresses the problem of
Solution
1
Solution
Problem 2
Solution
3
Problem Who
What
Why
Attempted Who
Solution
What
Result What
Why
Final Positive
Outcome
Negative
6. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
-similarities and differences are presented
Expressions that point to similarities
- similarly
-in like manner
-in the same way
Expressions that point to differences
- on the other hand
-on the contrary
-the opposite
-compared to
-in contrast
-although
-unless
-however
-comparative (better than, more)
Superlative (best, most)
7.ENUMERATION
A listing
listing of
-parts
- characteristics
-example
Often appears as a numbered list or a bulleted text
Words that indicate enumeration
- to start with
-first
-second
In addition
-next
-then
-another
-finally
-also
8. CLASSIFICATION
- presents grouping, types, classes, categories and sub-
categories
Examples:
-types of personalities
-groupings in a school
-species of animals
- categories of films and television shows
Language cues:
- there are several types/kinds of
-a part of
-an example of
-groups/kinds/ways/types/classes of
-another kind of
-divided into
Concept
Semi-
Concrete Abstract
concrete
concepts concepts
concepts
9. THESIS-EVIDENCE
-To serve the purpose of arguing a point/ position or
interpretation
May be arranged
-deductively (general statement or thesis followed by
supporting details)
-inductively (details from which an inference or thesis is
drawn
Signal words
- assert
-claim
- prove/show that
-allege that
-evidence
-proof argument
Thesis/Main
Idea
Evidence
1
Evidence
2
Informational Text Structure Sample Language Cues