Organizational Text Structures Why the need for organizational

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

External Text Structures External text structures are found outside the main body of text. They include: • Italics • Bold • Underlining • Indentation • Sidebars • 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