Academic Text: Style
and Structure
LESSON TEXT STRUCTURE
Text structure refers to how the
information within a written text is
organized. This strategy helps students
understand that a text might present a
main idea and details; a cause and then
its effects; and/or different views of a
topic.
Types of Text Structure
1. SEQUENTIAL/CHRONOLOGICAL STRUCTURE
♦ Often used in fiction, biography, autobiography and
procedures/processes
♦ Also known as time order, sequence, or temporal order.
♦ May include flashbacks that describe previous events and/ or
experiences
♦ It is also used in giving the step-by-step procedure in doing
something.
♦ You can use the following signal words: first, next, later, after,
before, following, then, in addition to, followed by, and
finally
Sample paragraph
On April 23, 1564, William Shakespeare was born
in Stratford-on-Avon in England. He attended a local
grammar school in the town. At the age of eighteen he
married Ann Hathaway. Several years later he travelled
to London. By the time he was twenty-eight he had
established his reputation by acting and writing plays.
Other than these facts, little is known of Shakespeare’s
early life.
2. DESCRIPTION
♦ This is used to tell what something is, to present an item’s
attributes or properties, to show what an item or place is
like
♦ We can use descriptive adjectives to help us visualize
the topic
♦ You can use the following signal words: tastes like, looks
like, sounds like, smells like, feels like, examples are, in front
of, about, characteristics are, for instance, furthermore, near,
beside, to illustrate, in addition etc.
Sample Paragraph
A hamburger sandwich is a sandwich
which consists of cooked patty made of
ground meat that is usually beef. The meat
can be grilled, fried, steamed or broiled and is
generally served with various condiments and
toppings inside a sliced bun baked especially
for this purpose. It smells so delicious, that
the moment it touches the tongue, it
automatically relieves hunger.
3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
♦ Tells about a problem then gives one or more
possible solutions
♦ Signal Words:
Question is... Dilemma is...
Puzzle is... To
solve this...
One answer is... One reason
for the problem is...
Sample Paragraph
Being obese or overweight cannot and should not be
ignored. Obesity is a major risk factor that aggravates other
illnesses like diabetes, heart ailments, gallstones, liver ailments,
difficulty in breathing etc. The medical benefit of weight reduction
and the long-term prevention of weight regain is obvious. It is now
clear that even a modest weight loss of 5 to 10% can produce
significant health benefits. A new drug called: pancreatic lipase
inhibitor cuts the 305 of the daily fat absorption without affecting
the central nervous system is now available. With its clinically
proven tolerability and efficacy, it can be incorporated into a
4. CAUSE AND EFFECT
• An explanation telling why or how something happened.
• Describes how two or more events are related or connected.
Sample paragraph
Think of this: for every street rally, thousands of workers
suffer from the heavy traffic it causes; millions of young minds’
edification is temporarily halted; rallyists leave garbage on the
streets which are left for the poor street sweepers to clean,
among others. These reasons may be lame, but come to think of
it- it is the basic things that matter.
5. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
♦ It draws the reader’s attention to similarities and
differences.
♦ Shows how two or more things are alike and/or how
they are different
♦ Signal Words:
Same as, Similar, Alike, As well as, Not only…but also,
Both, Instead of, Either…or, On the other hand, Different
from, As opposed to
Sample Paragraph
Even though basketball and soccer are similar,
differences do exist. Even though an athlete dribbles the ball in
both sports, a basketball player uses his hands and a soccer
player uses his feet. Usually soccer is played outside on a large
field and basketball is played indoor on court made out of
wood. Basketball is played with five (5) players and soccer has
eleven (11).Lastly, basketball has four quarters and soccer has
two halves.
Directions: Read each passage carefully and identify the text
structure.
Passage # 1
Computers are very complex machines, but everything
that they do can be put into two basic categories: inputting and outputting.
Inputting is when the computer accepts information entered by the user.
Outputting is when the computer returns information to the user. When you
press a key on your keyboard, you input information. When the letter that you
pressed appears on your monitor, your computer is outputting. Both inputting
and outputting require the computer to process information, but input is
controlled by the user and output is controlled by the computer. Without
inputting and outputting, there would be no computing.
Passage # 2
Working on a computer may be easier and safer than
working in a mine, but it doesn’t come without risks. Using a computer for a
long time can lead to poor eyesight, muscle loosening, back pain, and injuries to
the hands and wrists. If you find yourself working or playing on a computer
quite regularly, take a few steps to prevent these problems and you’ll thank
yourself later. When you are computing for a long time, take frequent breaks.
Get up and walk around every once and while. Exercise a little bit. Take your
eyes off of the computer screen. Stretch your hands and wrists. Straighten your
back. It can be hard to pull yourself away from your computer once you get into
a zone, but your body will thank you later if you do. Make your health a priority
and don’t worry so much about what’s happening on that little screen.
Passage # 3
Before applying the screen protector, clean
the surface of your phone’s screen with a soft cloth.
Once the surface of your screen is clean, remove the
paper backing on the screen protector. Evenly apply the
sticky side of the screen protector to your phone’s screen.
Smooth out any air bubble trapped on between the
protector and the phone screen. Enjoy the added
protection.
Passage # 4
There were many important battles in the Revolutionary War,
but perhaps none were more important than the Battles of Saratoga.
The results of the Battles of Saratoga shifted the momentum of the
war toward the Americans. Though they had previously lost
numerous battles, the Americans captured British General Burgoyne’s
army during the Battles of Saratoga. This victory convinced other
countries, especially France, that the Americans could win the war.
Because of this, not only did France declare war on England, but other
nations also began openly supporting the American fight for
independence. The Battles of Saratoga will be remembered as a
pivotal moment in this fight.
Passage # 5
Robert James Fischer was born in Chicago but unlocked the
secrets of chess in a Brooklyn apartment right above a candy store. At the
age of six he taught himself to play by following the instruction booklet that
came with his chess board. After spending much of his childhood in chess
clubs, Fischer said that, “One day, I just got good.” That may be a bit of an
understatement. At the age of 13 he won the U.S. Junior Chess
Championship, becoming the youngest Junior Champion ever. At the age of
14 he won the U.S. Championship and became the youngest U.S. Champion
in history. Fischer would go on to become the World Champion of chess,
but he would also grow to become his own worst enemy. Instead of
defending the title, he forfeited it to the next challenger without even
making a move, and the rise of a chess superstar ended with a fizzle.
