Organization of a text (structures)

Question 1

Authors can organize a text in a number of ways. As a reader, it’s helpful to be able to identify these ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES so you can use them yourself.

Answer 1

Here are some structures and the ‘signal words’ that can help you identify them.

(1) Chronological
(2) Compare and contrast
(3) Positive and negative
(4) Sequence
(5) Cause and effect
(6) List
(7) Problem and solution
(8) Spatial
(9) Order of importance

Question 2

(1) Chronological

The text is organized in order of time: beginning, middle and end.

Answer 2

Signal words:

first, in 1965, then, during, afterward, following that, subsequently, finally

Question 3

(2) Compare and contrast

The similarities and differences of two or more things are discussed.

Answer 3

Signal words:

(a) compare: similarly, likewise, unlike.
(b) contrast: on the contrary, however, on the other hand.

Question 4

(3) Positive and negative

The good and bad points of something are explained. This kind of structure is also sometimes called pros and cons or advantages and disadvantages.

Notice that this organizational style SHARES SIMILARITIES with compare and contrast.

Answer 4

Signal words:

(a) compare: pros and cons, one advantage is, one disadvantage is
(b) contrast: however, on the other hand

Question 5

(4) Sequence

Information is organized in the order it occurs. Sequence is good for directions or instructions. It can also describe a process. Be careful NOT TO CONFUSE it with chronological. These two types of organization have similar signal words.

Answer 5

Signal words:

first, then, next, after that, before, finally

Question 6

(5) Cause and effect

The text explains the effects of something or why something happened.

Answer 6

Signal words:

so, therefore, as a result, due to, owing to, consequently, accordingly, led to, hence, because,

…The cost fo materials rose sharply last year. Accordingly, we were forced to increase our prices

Question 7

(6) List

The text contains a list of items, either presented as an actual list or in sequence as a paragraph.

Answer 7

Signal words:

for instance, in addition, also, additionally, moreover, furthermore, besides, another

Question 8

(7) Problem and solution

The text identifies a problem and gives possible solutions.

Answer 8

Signal words:

a negative consequence, the problem is, the biggest difficulty, one solution, a remedy, the answer

Question 9

(8) Spatial

Information is presented in the way that it is ‘organized’ in real life. For example, if you are describing the geography of a country, you might want to organize your text into four sections: north, south, east and west. It is often used in descriptive writing.

Answer 9

Signal words:

above, east, tastes, looks, next to, sounds

Question 10

(9) Order of importance

Information is organized from most important to least important, or from least important to most important

Answer 10

Signal words:

the most important, the least important